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Urban County Policy Board weighs sale, transfer or continued county ownership of WIC building in downtown Battle Ground
Summary
Board members debated three options for the county-owned WIC building at 701 E. Main St.: transfer the property to Sea Mar for $1 with a restricted-use covenant, sell at fair market value and reallocate proceeds, or retain county ownership. Concerns centered on CDBG timeliness, renovation costs, and continuity of WIC services.
At its Nov. 10 meeting, the Urban County Policy Board debated the future of a county-owned building at 701 E. Main St. in Battle Ground that currently houses Sea Mar's WIC services. The discussion focused on three options presented by staff: transfer the property to Sea Mar for $1 with a minimum five-year restricted-use covenant, sell the site at fair market value through an open process, or keep the county-owned status quo.
The board heard from Sea Mar senior vice president Nick Ramirez, who said Sea Mar's architect estimated the full renovation cost at about "1,700,000.0," and identified immediate needs such as a leaky roof. Ramirez told the board Sea Mar has several Clark County sites and could consider relocating if necessary, but moving would require state approval and could impose additional costs. Ramirez also described Sea Mar's model as hybrid, saying the agency shifts staff between sites and that some services are provided by phone or telehealth.
Public commenters and nearby property interests urged a market sale. Local project manager Chris Guerrero said he believed the 2019 renovation estimate of $1.7 million would now be 35% to 45% higher, "roughly $2,400,000," and questioned whether the downtown location is the highest and best use. A caller representing local business interests reiterated a willingness to make a competitive offer and proposed allowing WIC to remain on site during a transition.
Staff reminded the board the building was purchased with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds in 1993, has been leased for WIC since 2009, and is the subject of $200,000 in PY2025 CDBG funding earmarked for renovation. Staff also noted a congressionally directed spending request of $1.7 million from Sen. Murray specific to this building is contingent on federal appropriations. Michael Torres, program manager, cautioned that HUD assesses the county's CDBG timeliness by looking at account balances on May 2; proceeds arriving after that date would not cure an untimely determination for that HUD snapshot.
Staff outlined administrative options: sell the building at fair market value and use proceeds to purchase or support another property (which would replicate current CDBG restrictions if the county retains ownership); sell to Sea Mar for $1 with a restricted-use covenant (subject to HUD approval); or run a targeted request for applications (RFA) to award a nonprofit a grant to acquire a property while requiring continued WIC services for at least five years. Staff warned a targeted RFA carries no guarantee of applicants and could leave proceeds idle, sustaining timeliness risk.
Board members and Battle Ground representatives emphasized downtown revitalization and parking goals and noted private interest (a company identified in public comment) in purchasing the building and working with WIC during any transition. Michelle Schuster, director of internal services, said the county's assessed value is roughly $467,000 and that county-funded renovations would trigger prevailing-wage requirements, increasing costs relative to Sea Mar doing the work privately.
The board did not take a final roll-call vote on the building. Several members said they were leaning toward pursuing a market sale combined with further work to determine whether Sea Mar could relocate or whether sale proceeds plus Sea Mar's investment would support a viable new facility. Staff was directed to continue researching the financial feasibility and program implications and to return with updated information at the board's next meeting in January.
The board's next steps are procedural: staff will (1) assemble a market appraisal or comparable market analysis, (2) clarify the timing and contingency language HUD would require for a sale to a nonprofit for $1, (3) model financial scenarios that combine sale proceeds with Sea Mar's proposed investment, and (4) report back in January so the county council can consider any formal recommendation.
