City Looks At Bunk House Compromise

WAITSBURG - After five months of weighing different options for how to remove the dilapidated bunk house from city land, three parties interest- ed in the property may come up with a solution that puts money in the city coffers and actually could make everyone happy.

The bunk house, formerly an apple-packing plant that collapsed in a storm in late 2011, was previously believed to contain asbestos or lead and removing it could have been costly for the city. In March, the council learned there was little or no toxicity from asbestos or lead and council members began hearing from residents and business owners who would be interested in clearing the bunk house for the salvage wood or for the land.

However, despite vocalized interest, no action had been taken on the bunk house until last Wednesday. The council heard from three interested par- ties and decided to officially ask the public for bids for the land and removal.

The council had recently learned that McGregor's in Waitsburg was interested in purchasing the 24-acre parcel of city-owned land to expand its operations in the city. Mark Johnson, the owner of Harry Johnson Plumbing and Excavation, Inc., wants the two acres the bunk house is on for his business. Finally, Betty's Diner Owner Bart Baxter said he wanted to go in and salvage the wood from the demolished structure and do the cleanup at no cost to the city.

The city believes it should get about $3,000 an acre for the 24 acres. Selling all of them could put $72,000 in the city's coffers for outstanding city bills, said City Administrator Randy Hinchliffe.

"We're not trying to sell any- thing," Mayor Walt Gobel said. "But we can see several large bills that the city has getting taken care of."

Also, if the city sold the property, it could receive tax revenue on it, Gobel said.

"Let's accept all of the pro- posals and review them," sug- gested Councilman KC Kuyk- endall.

Johnson, who only wants the two acres the bunk house is on, said he would be happy to work with Baxter. He said he could obtain the insurance and bonds for the removal and would allow Baxter to salvage the wood. Johnson would also put a 6-foot cyclone fence around the 2 acres for safety. For access to the 2-acre parcel, Johnson is hoping the Port of Walla Walla, which owns the adjacent land, would give him the right-of-way for a road.

With Johnson and Baxter's needs taken care of, the city could offer the other 22 acres to McGregor's for its expansion. Johnson said his main concern is avoiding a bidding war with McGregor's.

"I'm definitely interested," Johnson said. "The city would be impacted in a positive way."

Johnson said he planned to buy all the supplies for the proj- ect locally if he is sold the land to support local businesses.

The consensus of the coun- cil was that this situation could be a win-win for all parties.

"We could make everybody happy," Councilman Scott Nettles said.

Hinchliffe said he will pub- lish a public notice for the bunk house removal and land pur- chase so other interested parties can submit bids and applications. Gobel said after sitting on this issue for five months, there may be a light at the end of the tunnel.

"Someday we're going to settle this bunk house issue," Gobel said with a laugh.

For more information, con- tact the city at 509-337-6371.