Port Seeks Land Swap With State To Expand Industrial Park

WASHOUGAL, WA-The Port of Camas-Washougal is close to nabbing expansion land for its industrial park here. The port is hoping to give the state of Washington a 218-acre parcel overlooking the Washougal River as state parkland in exchange for 45 acres just east of its waterfront industrial park. The state already owns the 45-acre parcel. The Port would have to purchase the 218-acre parcel from local resident Howard Davis.

The port has been seeking the adjacent parcel for years. As well, the state has been seeking parkland, and has been reluctant to use the 45-acre parcel for parkland because of its proximity to industrial uses. Still, to make the deal happen, the 218-acre parcel must be worth as much as the 45-acre parcel or more because state law forbids the state from selling a property for less than its appraised value, which is $1.85 million. The results of a land appraisal won’t be available until spring. If the appraisal doesn’t hit the mark, its owner could sell it for residential development.