Bob’s Red Mill building remains for sale as Clackamas County decides against buying site

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The future owner of the Bob’s Red Mill property is still uncertain after a proposal to use it for a new educational building was rejected.

On Tuesday, the Clackamas County Board of County Commissioners weighed using the property as a new education facility for its Extension and 4-H District — but ultimately decided against taking action due to pre-existing plans.

The county has partnered with Oregon State University on the 4-H youth development program since 2008 and, according to officials, both parties have considered the Red Soils Campus and Clackamas Community College as potential sites for their new facility.

But stakeholders have weighed another option since the closure of Bob’s Red Mill was announced earlier this year. The 20,889-square-foot Milwaukie retail store and restaurant hit the market for nearly $6 million in February.

“This facility will allow us to reach more folks, expand capacity, and potentially even bring more staff and faculty into the region,” OSU Extension Director Kristopher Elliott told commissioners. “The site also allows easy access for the public, so when you think about its location, the easy access off an expressway, the ample parking and the space, there are so many opportunities for us to bring together community events and gatherings that will benefit the people of this county.”

The Bob’s Red Mill listing came after Clackamas County voters approved a $120 million bond for their community college last November, providing funding for the potential construction of an on-campus Extension and 4-H facility.

Officials have already set aside more than $15 million for a new building, according to a letter OSU’s Clackamas County Administrative Office Manager and County Liaison Leah Sundquist sent to County Administrator Gary Schmidt on May 16. Sundquist claimed purchasing the Milwaukie site would cost $5 million less than the other proposal.

However, CCC Board Member Jane Reid noted that the potential on-campus investment was “well-received” by community members ahead of the bond measure’s approval.

“I think that it just appears we’re not going to do both — can’t do both,” Clackamas County Chair Craig Roberts said of the two options. “And so I think the college has tremendous opportunities, and I think we’re just in a position where probably it looks like we’re staying the course.”