Commercial Properties (vacancies, new businesses, etc.):
Goodwill Industries site (formerly Oja Lumber): Exterior construction seems to be mostly complete – finishing touches being put on roof, exterior paint complete; most activity seems to be focused on the interior of the buildings now. Paving/striping/landscaping still pending.
[Goodwill Industries projects a January 2017 completion date for both the new Goodwill building and the additional 4,000 square foot retail building. The retail building has not pre-leased to anyone yet as far as I know – still 100% available.]
Timberline Meats (formerly Gifts of Past and Present): Nothing new to report here. There has been some contractor activity at the site in recent weeks, but unsure as to the extent of that activity.
La Bamba “Nuevo”: Work continues on both interior and exterior of the building, building toward what the owner hopes will be a spring grand opening. Mr. Vicenttin has a number of permits open right now, although work has been slowed somewhat due to contractor management issues. The exterior of the restaurant is starting to take shape as well….you can definitely get an idea of what it’s going to look like when complete now.
Carlson property: We have seen little activity (and have had no communication with the property owner) regarding this site for over a month now. Utilities (including electric) appear to be installed, but the property owner has not scheduled a final inspection as of this writing. Paving work has not yet started.
Scooter’s Sports Bar & Restaurant (Sandy Marketplace): Mr. Detweiler has submitted applications for building permits for this location. He has quite a bit of history doing this kind of work, and says he plans to be complete with his remodel within 30 days.
Jody Argue building (former Riegelman’s site): This building appears to be fully occupied for the time being. Due to some unresolved issues with the building regarding Lil’ Cubs Preschool, the school will be occupying the entire building until further notice. Ms. Argue still intends to lease the front side of the building to another business, and says she has several suitors that are contemplating signing a lease later in the spring or summer, but nothing firm yet.
Project work:
- City departmental webpages: This project is on hold for the next few months while EvoGov does a site upgrade for us. Look for the Planning and Finance pages to be completed after EvoGov completes this project.
- SHS – Winter Term Mock Interviews: I assist with mock interviews quarterly for juniors at SHS at the request of Counselor Jennifer McNeil. We were scheduled to do our 3rd installment of these in December, but had to reschedule due to the snowpocalypse. Second attempt was also cancelled due to inclement weather. Waiting for 2nd rescheduling attempt…
- AntFarm Board of Directors: I have stepped down from this board, effective January 1. Happy to discuss the reasons why with you one on one if you wish. This move means I will be able to spend more time with the boards I still serve (Sandy Area Chamber of Commerce, Mount Hood Economic Alliance)
- Economic Development Strategy: I am currently working on updating this Lazenby-era strategy document for Council review and comment.
Conferences/training:
Nothing in December. I will have my second ICSC event coming up in January in downtown Portland, and have invited the Planning Department to accompany me if they wish. More to come…