Plans to raze or move the former Landfall Restaurant building from its site at the end of Water Street are under way after Port of Port Townsend commissioners unanimously voted to apply for a demolition permit.

If approved by the City of Port Townsend, it would give port staff the authority to raze at least the rotunda portion of the building, which port Executive Director Larry Crockett said was added to the main structure in the 1980s and not built to code.

Port officials are working with the city’s Historic Preservation Committee, which might deem the kitchen portion of the building – a former military shed dating to the 1940s – a historic structure.

“It’s in bad shape, with no foundation,” said Crockett. “If they won’t let us demolish it, [declaring it historic] will give us the flexibility to move it. Whatever it is, we’ve got to start the process. I personally think the site needs to be cleared, whether it’s demolished or moved elsewhere.”

The old building is located on a 5,000-square-foot site overlooking Point Hudson Marina. Port officials argue that it might be the most valuable piece of commercial land in Port Townsend.

Crockett said port staff has twice met with identified stakeholders who support the idea of seeking demolition permits. The port has heard no opposition to potentially demolishing the structure.

“We have not gotten much input,” Crockett said. “Usually emails start to flow, but nobody has voiced against it.”

The port consulted with a Seattle-based company that specializes in historic buildings. That company stated that the building is not historic. But the city has the final say, Crockett said.

To repair the building as it stands would cost about $39,000, port officials stated. For it to run as a restaurant and meet Jefferson County public health laws would require $105,000 in upgrades. 

The Landfall Restaurant was closed in October after the Washington State Department of Revenue placed a lien on the business, seeking taxes in excess of $25,000 from owners Peter and Gina Brown.

Jim Pivarnik, port deputy director, said the port would consider a quitclaim deed to end the lease with Tony and Betty Harriman, who owned and operated the restaurant until 2005 before selling and subleasing it to the Browns.

The port is owed $8,000, though Crockett believes that since the state is owed a larger amount and would likely take priority, “the only way to recuperate any of the money” would be if the port takes possession of the kitchen equipment and anything else inside the building.