Port easing access for commercial entities

DAYTON-The Port of Columbia board of Commissioners approved a resolution to declare a 1.3-acre parcel of property as surplus; lease extension; a proposal to improve rail crossings; and continuing with broadband and Blue Mountain Station updates, during the public hearing at the regular monthly meeting on August 10.

The Port held a public hearing to review and approved a resolution declaring a 1.3-acre parcel of property as surplus that is adjacent to the rail line next to the Dayton elevator. This was at the request of Northwest Grain Growers to then negotiate the purchase of the property in order to expand the seed operation at the plant with potential for more seed storage and allow for truck loading. The letter of intent from NGG stated shipment by rail is not a viable option, and trucking the seed to barge loading facilities on the Snake River is more efficient.

The Columbia Walla Walla Rail lease was approved for a three-year extension with the option to cancel within that time. Executive Port Director Jennie Dickinson said the operator has provided regular reports on rail usage and completed maintenance. She noted that the weed maintenance has been improving, but told the operator that it still needs more attention. She also asked him to contact adjacent land owners to address any infringement upon the right of way along the line.

WSDOT Freight Rail Office is proposing improvement work along the line between Waitsburg and Dayton, as well as to close off Cherry Street to eliminate one of the three rail crossings in that neighborhood. Crossings are hazardous and expensive to maintain. Dickinson said she will draft a letter of support for the application. Commissioners Johnny Walker and Seth Bryan were hesitant to support closing off the street without further discussion. Dickinson assured there is a process in which the city would have to approve and that there would be more discussion on the matter.

In other business, Commissioner Genie Crowe emphasized something she learned from a commissioner’s seminar she attended about “evaluating projects not from what they do at the moment, but going forward how they will impact the future.”

Updates were given on Port assets. The co-working conference space in the Cameron Street Building of Rock Hill Industrial Park was refreshed to make the lease of the co-working spaces more attractive to renters. Currently the conference space is for use of the renters, but they are considering renting to other interested parties.

Also, at the industrial park Columbia River Detailing opened for business earlier that week. Two tenants at the Blue Mountain Station will be vacating at the end of September–Mama Monacelli’s Candy and Humble Honey.

Port projects were also discussed. Requests have been made by the Port for proposals from consultants to work with the Commission to review the comprehensive plan with the possibility of adding a housing/commercial property project to the plan as has been pursued by the Port of Bellingham.

Dickinson said the broadband fiber is delayed, but she expressed confidence that the delay can be resolved in time before affecting the timeline for beginning construction. The master lease is being reviewed for use of the fiber network with three internet service providers–Columbia iConnect, Emerge by Inland Cellular and Pocket iNet.

The Port plans to have a booth at the Columbia County Fair for the broadband project and possibly have the internet providers there to take sign-ups. Additionally, the franchise agreement is being drafted to be approved with the City and County for providing the broadband utility.

A Fall Family Festival is scheduled for September 24 at Blue Mountain Station. The event provides food, drinks, music and activities for the whole family. More specific information will be available soon.