Port exploring sale of Lower Mill property to Amazon

HOOD RIVER — Last week, the Port of Hood River published a draft contract on their website for proposed plans to build a 48,960-square-foot Amazon warehouse and distribution center along Neal Creek Road in Odell.

The contract states that Amazon.com intends to consolidate four parcels — approximately 11 acres — at the Lower Hanel Mill. The purchase price included in the contract was listed at $3,473,910. Priced at $7.25 per square foot, this is the highest rate to date for an industrial parcel of that size and location in the Mid-Columbia region, according to the port.

“This agreement with Amazon delivers not only economic opportunity for the port, it also sets a new benchmark for industrial land value in our region,” Port Commission President Heather Gehring said in a statement.

The purchase and sale contract outlined plans for an industrial apron with six docking ports for semi-trucks, 16 loading spaces for delivery vans and 125 parking spots for 110 employees.

The warehouse would rely on the Odell Sanitation District for sewage disposal and establish a connection to a water main serviced by the Crystal Springs Water District.

According to officials, the deal “remains in the early stages, both the Port and Amazon are working collaboratively to finalize the purchase process.”