IDA seeks county support to finish Highlands/Oak Park pads; engineers estimate $1.2–$1.5 million

Representatives of the county's Industrial Development Authority (IDA) briefed the Washington County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 25 and requested board consideration of using proceeds from a pending sale of Lot 1 (and part of Lot 2) to help develop Lots 6 and 7 in the Highlands (Oak Park) business park.

The IDA said Lots 6 and 7 were left unimproved when the park was first developed because funds ran out; water and sewer service are already available to the parcels. The IDA is seeking a Tobacco Commission planning grant of $121,000 to fund core drilling, permitting and engineering work. The IDA proposes to match that grant on a 50/50 basis and, after core-drilling and bid documents are complete, apply for a second construction grant for the grading and pad work.

An engineering firm estimate for the full grading and site-development work ranges from approximately $1.2 million to $1.5 million, the IDA representative said. That figure would be the construction-phase request to a funding source, and the IDA expects any award would also require a local match. The IDA representative told the board the initial Tobacco Commission request would buy the geotechnical and permitting work necessary to solicit accurate construction bids.

Board members pressed for specifics about the funding gap and possible sources. One supervisor suggested retaining some proceeds from the Lot 1 sale to cover immediate county development costs—such as moving a retention pond for the Lot 1 buyer—and to preserve funds for an EMS facility the county hopes to site on another parcel. Another supervisor asked how quickly a pad could be made shovel-ready; the IDA representative estimated a 12-to-18-month timeline after funding and bidding were complete.

Board members also asked about market value and potential revenue; county staff and the IDA discussed historical Oak Park lot prices and noted that, because the county already owns the land and infrastructure, the local cash investment would primarily pay grading and rock-removal costs. The IDA noted potential prospects, including companies seeking 12–22 acres, and said having a build-ready pad increases the county’s ability to attract job-creating tenants.

No formal funding commitment was taken at the meeting. Multiple supervisors asked the IDA to return with precise engineering results and bid-ready numbers before the board would consider committing proceeds from any sale. The IDA said it had committed to the 50% match for the $121,000 planning grant and asked the board to "give us consideration for the further development" of the site when the engineering numbers are available.

The IDA representative said the engineering/grade work estimate will be firmed up after core drilling and competitive bids; the initial planning grant application was scheduled to be submitted the next day.