Port closes in on sales at Wilma

The Port of Whitman is nearing completion of the sale of two buildings at the Port of Wilma, Port Properties and Development Manager Debbie Snell reported at the Port meeting Sept. 15.

The two buildings – 1845 and 1847 Wilma Drive – are the last structures the Port has at Wilma.

“That will make it 100 percent down at Wilma,” Snell told the commissioners and staff. “We have nothing left.”

Earlier in the summer, the Port took 1847 Wilma Drive off the market, but it quickly went back on. The last tenant in that building was Hells Canyon Rock.

“They’ve been gone for over a year,” said Snell. “It was purpose-built for Spacial Dynamics, which leased it.”

Spacial Dynamics was a microwave research development firm. All previous tenants in the building had leased it.

“Now it is finally being sold,” Snell commented.

Snell said it will now be a machine shop.

“It fits into the industrial zoning,” she said.

The second building is the former site of Renaissance Marine, which moved to a larger building at the Port of Clarkston. Bennett Lumber Products leased the building and subleased it to Renaissance Marine.

“They will terminate the lease on the building so we can sell the building, but lease the land,” said Snell.

Both buildings will be sold, and the tenants will have site leases with the Port.

“We don’t sell land on the river,” said Snell. “But leasing land allows a continual revenue stream to help maintain sites.” Snell added that the Port maintains the land.

The sales are not yet finalized.

“I believe it’s certain, but it’s never certain until it closes,” said Snell. “Both sales look pretty promising.”

The sale of 1847 Wilma Drive has been signed, and it is expected to close on or before Nov. 1. That sale is for $250,000, which was a full price offer. The second building is currently in the document review stage and is expected to sell for $230,000.

These sales, if they go through, will leave the Port with only one building, the Henley Court building in the Pullman Industrial Park.

“We build buildings, and then we sell them,” said Snell.