PORT ANGELES — What to do with the rotting building at the end of an equally aged pier jutting out from The Landing mall?

That question was posed Monday to Robert McChesney, executive director of the Port of Port Angeles.

McChesney addressed about 60 people at the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce luncheon when an audience member asked him what could be done to transform the abandoned fish processing site into an asset for the community.

“There is a school of thought that any waterfront property has value, because it’s so hard to obtain new building permits,” said McChesney, who took over as Port executive director Aug. 1.

“We’re willing to test the idea if the dock has any value for redevelopment.”

Shuttered and condemned nearly 10 years ago, the aging building is an eyesore that the Port should consider tearing down, said Leonard Beil, Port Commission president, in an interview Monday evening.

“My concern is the building at the end of the pier is not the best looking one for people who pull in [on the ferries],” Beil said.

“Should it be removed, it would not add any value to the pier, other than it will make it look a lot better.”

Cost of removal

Beil said he has seen estimates of $100,000 to remove the wooden building.

The pier, also in bad shape, is another story.

Beil says it could cost anywhere between $1.5 and $2 million to refurbish the pier, more than half of which is fenced off.

“The pier is going to stay until there is an opportunity for private investors to invest in it,” he said.