By Pepper Fisher
PORT ANGELES – The restoration of the iconic viewing tower on the Port Angeles waterfront is nearing completion and City officials say it should be open to the public again sometime this month.
The tower was closed in November of last year after a maintenance inspection found severe structural issues caused by saltwater corrosion that posed serious risk to public safety.
In February, the City Council approved the use of just under $575,000 from lodging tax funds for repairs, and a contractor began work in April.
But as is often the case, Public Works Director Mike Healy says when they started tearing into the structure, additional issues were identified.
“As you start tearing things up and getting into the heart of things, like the under-decking on the platforms between staircases, that was unforeseen to the naked eye. But once you start pulling the wood off you could see where some additional work needed to be done. So, all in all, we needed about another 100,000, which, you know, is about another 15%.”
Healy requested and was approved for the additional funds and work has continued. He says after one last coat of paint and few other details, we should see the scaffolding coming down and equipment being pulled out in the coming days.
Healy, who will be retiring in the fall, says seeing this project through to the end has meant a lot to him.
“Of all the projects that I’ve done while I’m in Port Angeles, and probably the vast majority of others throughout my career, this one tugs at my heartstrings. Because, you know, when I first came here, I walked downtown all the time and I would go to the top of that tower and take pictures to send the wife, and it’s just a phenomenal place to see Port Angeles from. And it also is a it’s a great place to plan your trip through our downtown business district. I’d certainly hate to come back here, maybe from a trip to Victoria, and see that tower missing. I think it just complements our skyline so very well.”
While the exact date of the reopening of the tower is not known, Healy says he’s confident he’ll give it his department’s approval before the end of the month.