McMenamins Central State Project Clears Hurdle

BEND, OR- Brian and Mike McMenamin are a step closer to developing their first eating, drinking and sleeping establishment east of the Cascades. Portland-based McMenamins Pubs and Breweries last week won hearing examiner approval to apply for the permits necessary to convert a two-acre former private school property in downtown Bend into a brewpub-bed & breakfast operation.

Would-be neighbors objected to the original site plan, but after several public meetings and minor changes to the site plan and a restriction on weddings to once a weekend the revised plan was approved by the hearings examiner.

McMenamins took out a two-year option to purchase the former St. Francis School property last fall. The property includes the 87-year-old catholic school building, the parish center next door and several outbuildings. Brian McMenamin was unavailable for comment this week, but has said the company plans to begin renovating the property in the spring of 2002.