WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ore. — Washington County commissioners on Oct. 21 authorized staff to proceed with negotiations with the City of Hillsboro on a proposed public‑private partnership to redevelop ball fields and upgrade parking and site infrastructure at the county-owned Fairgrounds Sports Complex.

Greg Wyman, Washington County facilities division manager, summarized the proposal and said the county occupies roughly 20.69 acres at the Fairgrounds Sports Complex and currently operates under an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the City of Hillsboro dated Aug. 21, 2019. The board voted unanimously to allow staff to continue negotiations under the terms presented.

The proposal presented by county staff and city representatives would: grant the city a 20‑year primary lease for new ball fields and supporting infrastructure; allow the city to offset rent through roughly $20 million in planned capital investment; preserve county access for fair events and other designated uses; require the city to address wetland mitigation at its cost; and reserve rights for termination under specified conditions.

Wyman said the county commissioned a broker opinion of value for the parcel, which returned a range between about $11 million and $20 million; negotiations used a midpoint value of $15 million as a reference. County staff said Hillsboro plans roughly $20 million in site infrastructure and field development, would construct restrooms designed to allow future addition of showers for a potential RV‑park conversion, and would build a paved and fully drained north parking lot (currently overflow/gravel) at the city’s expense.

Under the proposed terms, the county would grant the city routine access and use rights but retain access during the Washington County Fair and other specified events; the county also would receive a no‑consideration lease for the north parking lot for event use in return for the city’s investment in that area. The project timeline described by staff calls for finalized lease terms in January, a consent‑agenda lease approval in February, executed lease in March 2026, design/permits in 2026, construction in 2027, and public opening in 2028.

Greg Wyman outlined benefits the county expects if the agreement proceeds: preservation of long‑term county land value consistent with the Westside Commons master plan; resolution of wetland mitigation at no cost to the county; improved fairground parking and livestock handling; and expanded community amenities maintained by the city rather than the county.

Commissioners expressed support for the partnership and emphasized scheduling considerations for the north parking lot so that fair operations would not be disrupted in summer 2028. “You have my permission to proceed with negotiations with the City of Hillsboro in current terms,” one commissioner said; another moved verbal support and board members joined to make the direction unanimous.

Quotes in this article are taken from the county presentation and from the public board discussion. The county will return with formal lease documents and a consent‑agenda item for approval following negotiations.