By Pepper Fisher

PORT ANGELES – The high-profile but derelict building at 204 E. Front Street, at the intersection with Lincoln Street, is going to be demolished and replaced with a 2-story apartment complex.

The property owner, Aman Sangha of Surrey, B.C., brought in engineers to inspect the building and was told it was unsafe to renovate. He intends to complete the demolition this spring.

Port Angeles Interim Director of Community & Economic Development Norm Gollub confirmed that the building will be demolished, but said the City has not yet received a permit application to do so. Gollub says he spoke with Sangha and expects to see the application “in the near future”.

Before the new owner secured the site, the property had a history of persistent nuisance, fire, and maintenance code violations. In April of last year, the Port Angeles City Council ordered staff to file a petition in Superior Court to initiate proceedings to have the property condemned. That move convinced the previous owner to put the property up for sale, and Sangha purchased it through his company, SIG Holdings, Inc., for a reported $50,000.