Port Townsend: Funding options for acquiring Boy Scout House presented to City Council

PORT TOWNSEND — The City Council would have a number of funding options if it decides to purchase or use condemnation to obtain the Boy Scout House at Quincy and Cosgrove streets.

The 73-year-old Scout House has been the subject of controversy since the Chief Seattle Council of Boy Scouts sold the house at Quincy and Cosgrove streets to developer Vern Garrison last month.

Scott Lockwood, representing a group known as Friends of the Scout House, reported to the council Monday night that the building has been included on the list of “10 Most Endangered Places” by the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation.

Garrison, a former city councilman, has proposed moving the Scout House to nearby Sather Park and volunteered to pay the moving expenses.

But Scouts and others have urged the city to acquire the Scout House and property instead.

City Manager David Timmons, in a memo to the City Council this week, listed a number of funding options for purchase or condemnation, also known as eminent domain.

Those options include:

* Donations to the city for acquisition.

* A council-approved bond.

* Voter-approved bond.

* Sale of non-utility properties.

* A loan to the city’s general fund from the utility fund.

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