City considers building sales

The property is on East Second Street, bordered by Washington and Court.

The potential buyer has no interest in including the theater in the purchase. The sale would include the Blue building and the Recreation building. City Manager Julie Krueger has been directed to proceed with negotiations.

No details of the dollar amount of the proposed offer for the two structures, or how the buyer might want to redevelop the site, were made public.

Mayor Steve Lawrence said he was not sure there is a timeline on negotiations.

“I am not at liberty now to reveal the other information,” he said.

Krueger said it was important to keep deliberations out of the spotlight.

“The negotiations will remain confidential until we reach agreement, and then will be approved in open session so the details would become available at that time,” she said. “We will begin negotiations very soon. I expect we could have something to present to the agency within a month, if not sooner.”

In July, The Dalles City Councilor Dan Spatz said he opposed selling the Granada properties piecemeal, as this proposal seems to do.

However, Spatz said he was willing to take a fresh look at the new concept.

“I'll keep an open mind,” he said. “We've authorized negotiations, so let's see where these may go.”

Earlier this year, the city rejected three separate ideas for revitalizing the Granada block. The proposals, which were not deemed viable, included plans for a Hilton Hotel and conference center; a cultural/performing arts facility; and creating an archeological dig site for tourism and education.