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County staff seek board approval to buy two floors at River Suites for Office of Public Defense for $889,000
Summary
County staff reported they have negotiated to buy the first and third floors of River Suites at 1801 First Avenue for $889,000 to provide a permanent home for the Office of Public Defense; staff asked the board for direction to close and for authorization for staff to sign closing documents.
Mike Moss, public services director, told the board staff negotiated to buy two floors at River Suites, 1801 First Avenue in Longview, to house the Office of Public Defense. Moss said the negotiated prices were $217,000 for each side of the third floor (two sides) — $434,000 total for the third floor — and $455,000 for the first floor, for a combined purchase price of $889,000.
Moss described the two floors as containing about 4,100 square feet on the first floor with 14 offices and about 3,900 square feet on the third floor with 11 offices, and he said the third floor has elevator access. He also said the county placed earnest money and expected a mid- to late-August closing if the board gave the green light.
The nut graf: Staff presented the purchase as a cheaper and more centrally located alternative to moving into adjacent annex space, and said owning two floors would give the county a stake in the building’s homeowners association and influence over capital projects and reserves.
Staff said an inspection had identified maintenance items such as rot on eaves and some rooftop issues; they reported the homeowners association has about $81,000 in reserves and that, in 2025, the association’s revenue was roughly $76,000 with expenses around $72,000, of which about $11,000 was being reserved for long-term projects. Moss said county facilities staff and finance staff would work with the HOA after purchase on repairs and maintenance.
Board members asked about remodeling and budget for tenant improvements. Sean Roe, finance manager for public works, said the office renovations would be limited and that larger remodels would go through the regular capital budget process. Roe estimated minor fit-out costs could be “in the $2,530,000 dollar range of some minor stuff that they need to get into that Third Floor,” and he added that substantial projects would be requested through the county’s capital request process.
Board members expressed informal approval. One board member asked whether staff should continue; staff requested direction and who should sign closing documents. After discussion, a board member said, “I got no problems. Just say keep going,” and staff followed up by asking whether it was acceptable for Mike Moss to sign the closing documents for convenience; board members present agreed.
Ending: Staff will continue with the purchase process and finalize closing documents with the title company; the board did not record a formal vote during the meeting and required final board approval of the sale documents per the sales agreements.
