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News about the Town of Friday Harbor

Editorial:Friday Harbor residents aren't flush: Don't raise the sewer rates

Council authorizes appraisal of Browne Lumber

posted 08/02/02
Friday Harbor Mayor Gary Boothman's plan to have the town purchase the site of the former Browne Lumber property took another step forward. By a 4-1 vote, the Town Council authorized an appraisal of the property. Councilmember Bill LaPorte voted against the motion. The property is assessed at $790,000. PREVIOUS STORIES

New idea for Friday Harbor restrooms

posted 04/19/02
Friday Harbor Town Councilmember Howie Rosenfeld floated an idea to reduce the town's "Sanican " image. He suggested the town might pay business owners who post signs saying they have public restrooms. Councilmember Bill LaPorte wondered if anyone would want to participate. The council was undecided about whether to pursue the idea.

Friday Harbor will use porta-potties for public restrooms again

posted 04/05/02
The Town of Friday Harbor will pay for porta-potties to be used for public restrooms again this summer. Construction of restrooms in the Sunshine Alley house purchased for that purpose in 1999 have been shelved. Mayor Gary Boothman said new councilmembers disagreed with the old council's plans.

Boothman wants the town to purchase the Browne Lumber site on Spring Street. Public restrooms, parking and office space could be located there he says. Talks are proceeding with the owners of Browne Lumber he told the council at the Thursday, April 4, 2002 meeting.

Goodbye porta-potties

posted 11/19/01
The little house in Sunshine Alley may become one of the most visited spots in Friday Harbor beginning next year. Construction of public restrooms in the building will begin after the project goes out to bid.

"It's a shame we're still using porta-potties,"Friday Harbor Town Councilmember Bill LaPorte said at the Nov. 15 meeting. "We should finish the project and be done with it."

The town purchased the building more than a year ago and plans were drawn up for the restrooms. More than $300,000 for the restrooms has been set aside from the hotel/motel tax money.

The project was put on hold while the council waited for clarification from the state about the use of the funds for the waste water treatment plant. At the same time, Mayor Gary Boothman floated the idea of buying Browne Lumber's site on Spring Street for use as parking, offices and public restrooms. One of the options would have been to sell the Sunshine Alley property and use the proceeds to help fund the Browne Lumber purchase.

Talks with the owners of Browne Lumber are continuing, but councilmembers expressed doubt a deal could be reached. "I think in future years we'll kick ourselves but we don't have the money," said Councilmember Vonda Sheiman.

The council unanimously agreed to proceed with the construction of the restrooms and told Boothman to wrap up talks with the owners of Browne Lumber by the end of the year.

Mayor suggests Browne's for parking

posted 05/09/01
Uses of hotel/motel 2-percent tax money are limited by the state legislature. Creation of parking lots and maintenance of public restrooms are allowed. Building a new wastewater treatment plant may or may not be an acceptable use.

Mayor Gary Boothman has asked the Town Council to consider acquiring Browne Lumber's site on Spring Street to use for parking, restrooms and offices for the town's land use department.

The council purchased a house on Sunshine Alley last year for use as a building for public restrooms. Reconstruction has been put on hold until the town receives a final decision from the state on acceptable uses of the town's hotel/motel money.

If the funds cannot be used for the sewer plant's expansion, Boothman says the funds would cover the cost of leasing with intent to purchase Browne's property. The town could sell the house and develop restrooms in Browne's building. He noted the property has access from Blair and Spring Streets. Employers could lease parking spaces for themselves or their employees, freeing up other parking for customers.

The town expects to receive a definitive yes or no answer soon from the state Attorney General about financing the sewer plant with hotel/motel funds. Once that issue is settled, the council can decide if they want to pursue Boothman's idea.