The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

By Rick Nelson

Commissioners of Port District 2 on Tuesday agreed to purchase an espresso stand and construct a new building housing the port office and a laundromat at Skamokawa Vista Park.

Sisters Rachel Katyryniuk and Nicole Burkhalter set up a mobile espresso stand in the park last year, and they've offered to sell it to the port district this year.

Port Manager Janet Bryan told commissioners that she thought it would be a profitable asset for the port.

Commissioners agreed.

"I think it would be a good deal because it's all ready to go," said Commissioner Brian O'Connor.

Commissioners voted to authorize Bryan to negotiate a purchase agreement for the stand.

Commissioners also agreed to move forward with construction of a building to house the port office as a laundromat.

The project could cost as much as $315,000, Bryan said.

"I estimated high," she commented.

Construction of a septic system for the facility would be a major cost. An engineer has estimated the septic system could cost $49,000 to $85,000, depending on conditions.

A 1,000 square foot building would cost around $150,000, she added.

The port could expect annual revenue of approximately $91,000 from the laundromat and $23,200 from rental of the park model cabin that now serves as the port office.

Commissioners commented that the district could afford the project and that they should move ahead.