The recent completion of a major waterline expansion at the Port’s Lower Mill Redevelopment Site for Crystal Springs Water District (CSWD) will ensure sufficient fire flow for future buildings, and the removal of stockpiled materials and grading at the largest of four available lots brings the Port closer to its project goals for the site. After successfully cleaning up the brownfield, the former Lower Hanel Mill site will soon return to productive use by the private sector with the creation four shovel-ready, buildable M-1 industrial-zoned lots off Highway 35 in Odell.
The redevelopment of the 12-acre Lower Mill site was delayed last year due to the discovery of water pressures too low to meet fire code and building department fire suppression requirements. The Port spent 18 months working with CSWD to resolve the issue. Following negotiations and execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement between the two special districts, a 1,350 linear foot installation of 10” watermain was installed by the Port for CSWD that not only brings water pressure and flows up to required levels, but also completes a CSWD Master Plan project, enhancing water pressure for the entire CSWD system including future tenants at Lower Mill Industrial Park.
The project involved not only CSWD but also Stadelman Fruit LLC, who provided a necessary easement for line placement. Crestline Construction LLC completed the work on schedule and under budget.
“We appreciate all the cooperation throughout the project between adjacent landowners, the contractor, and Crystal Springs,” said Anne Medenbach, development and property manager for the Port.
The Port recently issued an Intent to Award a contract for the removal and hauling of 20,000 cubic yards of stockpiled dirt from the Lower Mill site. The stockpile was a result of wood and soil material excavated and tested in the 2016 clean-up phase of the Lower Mill project. Clean-up of the site was funded in part by a grant from the Oregon Brownfield Cleanup program in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency, State Department of Environmental Quality, and Business Oregon. No hazardous or contaminated materials were detected during the process, and utilities were installed to each lot that same year.
Overcoming the delays of this past year means the Port is now able to add the four Lower Mill sites to local industrial site inventory, and sell those sites with development leading to the creation of more local manufacturing jobs.