The Port of Astoria has struggled to make the former U.S. Navy base at North Tongue Point profitable since leasing the land in 2009.
With Hyack Maritime preparing to close on its purchase of North Tongue Point next month, the Port of Astoria Commission voted 4-1 to give a proposed termination agreement to landowner Washington Development Co.
Commissioner Bill Hunsinger has vehemently opposed to the idea of leaving Tongue Point. Hunsinger, a commercial fisherman and retired longshoreman, has argued the Port never properly marketed Tongue Point or created a plan to buy the facility. He accused the Port staff of planning to sell Tongue Point without giving the public a decent chance for input, adding he thought about filing an injunction against the lease termination.
A large contingent of longshoremen, the Port’s dockside labor force, attended the meeting. Local chapter President Chris Connaway and Marvin Kelley both spoke against the departure.
