Oregon Public Broadcasting

The Port of Bandon plans to sue Pacific Seafood Group of Portland over control of waterfront property that used to feature thriving fishing-related businesses.  Becca Bartleson reports.

A seafood processing plant used to be there, with about 100 employees. That's been gone for over 10 years. Now the building has a small retail fish market operated by Pacific Seafood.

And though the Port owns the property, Pacific's lease does not expire until 2075.

Gina Dearth is the Port's General Manager. She says the property needs work.

She says the Port intends to fix up the building, including the market.

Gina Dearth: "It's not about money for us, but it's about bringing as many people to town as we can at all times to generate income for the rest of the community. We will not get rich by getting this property returned to us but we will utilize it in a way that everybody benefits."

The Port and Pacific Seafood were negotiating for almost a year when the commission decided to sue.

The company is urging the Port to reconsider.