The Port of Coupeville is still negotiating with Thom Kroon, the owner of the old Mad Crab building over port-owned tidelands the building encroaches on.

Negotiations are currently focused on a boundary line agreement, where the legal description of Kroon’s property will include the property in dispute.

The port will still retain ownership of the tidelands and Kroon is proposing a $8,500 payment.

Port Executive Director David Day said the payment is to clear the dispute and not a fee to “purchase” the property.

The agreement has not been finalized but would end a year long dispute.

Kroon went to the port early last year after he learned his newly aquired building was partially on port property.

At the time, port commissioners didn’t know they owned those tidelands.

Kroon  asked the port to send a letter to the Town of Coupeville saying that the issue was being addressed so Kroon could continue with plans to change the building into a multi-use building featuring commercial and residential space.

Kroon hired a surveyor to appraise the land in question. The port and Kroon discussed purchasing or leasing the property. Commissioners maintained through discussions they wanted to keep the property under port ownership and were in favor of a 50-year lease with a minimal annual fee.