HERMISTON -- Businesses are invited to visit the Umatilla Chemical Depot on Oct. 20 to see the buildings and property that could go up for sale when the site no longer is needed to store chemical weapons.
That includes a complex of buildings and barracks in the southeast corner of the depot with good access to Interstate 84. The site is bordered by Interstate 84 and 82. Buildings and structures that will be considered for sale will be cleaned to Army standards.
The last of the chemical weapons stored on the site are expected to be incinerated sometime between next summer and summer 2011.
"We hope to retain jobs that will be lost," said Brian Cole, executive director for the Dana Mission Support Team, a contractor for the Umatilla Army Depot Reuse Authority.
The reuse authority, which includes representatives from Umatilla and Morrow counties and ports and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, is developing a land use plan for the 19,728 acres of the depot. It's expected to consider a mix of economic development, environmental protection and the needs of the Oregon State Guard.
A tour last month drew more than 20 government and nonprofit agencies interested in seeing what property could become available, Cole said. They included the city of Irrigon, Oregon state agencies, the American Red Cross and the Community Action Program of East Central Oregon, a community housing development organization.
Federal agencies already have been notified of the upcoming availability of depot property, but none has indicated interest.
Businesses interested in buying surplus business buildings and property at fair market value are required to submit a notice of interest by Nov. 23 to be qualified for consideration.
Businesses and private parties attending the tour and workshop from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 20 are encouraged but not required to file a notice of interest.
The day will start with a bus tour of the entire depot, followed by information sessions. Officials will discuss the closure and property disposal process and cover any known land-use constraints affecting property and buildings. An interactive session on what might be good uses of the property also is planned.
Registration for the event is required by 5 p.m. Oct. 15. Call Kim Swentik at 541-922-9339.
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