|
Port
of
Bandon
finds waterfront lease in violation
Britt Carlson, KCBY
February 6, 2008
http://www.kcby.com/news/15381666.html
BANDON- Viewing the Pacific Seafood processing plant building as a
wasted resource, the
Port
of
Bandon
voids a long-term lease agreement of the waterfront property near old
town.
Pacific Seafood was granted a six-month grace period on the lease
giving the company and the port time to negotiate.
The
Port
of
Bandon
established a long term lease for the waterfront property under the
condition that the building constructed by the original renter houses
a seafood processing plant, with the idea to create more local jobs.
Pacific Seafood took over that lease, ran the plant for awhile and
then moved the major processing to
Charleston
in the 90s' because of the decline in product.
Vice President of the Bandon Port commission Reg Pullen says,
"Back in the 80s', that plant provided about 100 jobs for people
working in the plants, plus all those boats that were off loading fish
and we kept thinking things are gonna come back."
Why try to revoke the lease now?
Because the Port wants to see economic development and job creation
and they view this waterfront property as a way to accomplish both.
John Dulcich spokesperson for Pacific Seafood says the company isn't
in violation and they don't want to give up the building where they
operate Bandon Fisheries Retail Market.
"It's part of Pacific's operation and they're doing primarily
retail and processing there. They are processing fish there to sell
for retail."
The options for the Port are reworking the lease, buying the building
from Pacific Seafood or taking the property back.
Pullen says, "We've gone from an active sea port to an active
tourist port. That's what we have to do now is ensure the tourism
industry flourishes in Bandon."
Pacific Seafood is using this six-month negotiation period to weigh
options that they hope will benefit both sides.
Dulcich says, "We are committed to partnering with the Port to
figure out something that's a great win for Bandon."
Both parties say they're taking input from citizens to help them find
the best solution to this matter.
The
Port
of
Bandon
's next commission meeting is February 28th and Dulcich says he will
be in attendance.
|
