CL Port plans land sale for Portland construction business

The company has been eyeing a 1.87-acre patch of Port-owned land on the main business corridor of Cascade Locks, across from East Wind Drive-In ice cream shop. If the deal goes through, Ravenwood will build a combined residential development and retail outlet.

Ravenwood specializes in upscale, environmentally conscious remodeling. Father and son co-owners Chris and Willis Boyer have led the company for more than a decade, according to their website. Their services include interior and exterior fix ups, kitchen and bath, and custom designs.

Paul Koch, Port general manager, explained last week the company sees potential in Cascade Locks, where they can work with clients around the Columbia River Gorge.

“They’ve been a very successful construction company in Portland and they’re bringing all their resources (to Cascade Locks) … they see other options here,” Koch said.

Port leaders began talks with Ravenwood representatives at the sub-committee level about three months ago, Port Economic Development Manager Don Mann explained at Wednesday night’s special meeting. He encouraged the commission to approve the MOU, a non-binding contract that shows both parties’ interest in a land sale.

The agreement “allows (Ravenwood) the timelines they need to finish their design developments,” Mann said.

Jessie Groves, Port president, spoke in favor of the emerging agreement.

“The Port authorized that land (to be) put up for sale — we’ve got an interested buyer. Now we want to make sure as a commission that they do develop it,” Groves said.

“It’s also a developer who is anxious to get moving,” Koch added.

The commission approved taking action on the MOU, directing staff to continue discussions with the construction company.

The Port will pick a date for Ravenwood to give a presentation to the commission this fall, after the next economic development sub-committee meeting.

In other business action:

• The Port approved a temporarily extended lease to Jackson Vanderpool, owner of Jumpin’ Jax Java, while staff does “due diligence” research before closing a land sale with Vanderpool on the WaNaPa Street property he has been leasing for his coffee shop.

• Commissioners approved a month-to-month lease extension to Thunder Island Brewing Co., which plans to relocate from its “incubator” space on the Columbia River to WaNaPa Street. The Port extended the brewery’s lease to coincide with when city planners reach a decision over the new building’s land use permit. Cascade Locks Planning Commission’s meeting is slated for Nov. 14. The Port also waived a requirement for Thunder Island to finish a highway access plan leading up to the sale, which hasn’t yet closed.