PORT ANGELES – The Port Angeles Waterfront Center, described as a home for arts and events, is planning to break ground in October of this year and, according to Board President Brooke Taylor, it’s creating a ripple effect that will lead to what he believes is a kind of renaissance of downtown development over the next five years.

Taylor spoke to Kiwanis members Thursday. He said the downtown revival will include developer Eric Dupar’s plan to build a hotel directly across the street that Taylor expects will begin construction ahead of the Waterfront Center project, provided Dupar clears a few hurdles with the City.

Taylor, a former Clallam County Superior Court Judge, went on to make the case for his rosy prediction.