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Woodland wins state grant to study fire station revitalization at Hunter Davidson site
Summary
City staff and partners secured a Washington state grant and will conduct a preliminary feasibility study to evaluate adaptive reuse options and costs for the Hunter Davidson/fire-station building, with a selection committee and timeline set for contractor selection this spring.
Woodland city staff said the city has won a state grant to pay for a preliminary feasibility study of the Hunter Davidson building and adjacent fire-station site, and the city and port will work with a selection committee to choose a consultant this spring.
The presentation to council described a grant award from the Washington State Community, Economic Revitalization Board and an initial award offer of $75,000; the port has committed at least $25,000 toward the study. Jennifer, city staff, said the money will pay part of the study and the city and port will partner with the Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Woodland Revitalization on a selection committee.
The study will inventory possible uses for the existing structure, evaluate structural and seismic constraints, identify permitting requirements and produce preliminary cost estimates calculated at prevailing wage for a city-owned facility. Jennifer said the report will include specifications for potential tenant uses — for example a restaurant, office, community space or multiple-tenant mix — and associated improvement costs, plus a land and building appraisal to show options if the building is deemed a liability.
Jennifer said consultants will also identify funding options, including state and county grants and city bonding, and she briefed council on a timeline that anticipates a consultant selection decision in March or April and a finished study before year-end. She noted the RFQ was posted on the port’s website and that questions from proposers delayed the schedule slightly.
Council members and staff discussed interim uses for the building while the study proceeds. Council member Hall and others asked whether occasional rentals — such as for community events or festivals — would interfere with consultant access; staff said a coordinated schedule could allow limited interim uses and that locking a bay for Public Works storage during winter has already been arranged.
The presentation team said the committee will score proposals and return a contract for council review once a consultant is selected. No council action was taken at the meeting; staff said they will return with the consultant selection and contract for council approval.
The project partners named during the presentation were the Port of Woodland, the Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Woodland Revitalization. The city will pay prevailing-wage cost estimates for work on a city-owned building; staff noted those estimates could be reduced if a private buyer acquires the property.
Council asked staff to keep the public informed and to return with the consultant and contract for formal approval.
