Superintendent: district will not pursue Port Theater after counteroffer; Viking Lane sale yields $695,000 for capital projects
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Superintendent Kent told the board the district will step away from buying the Port Theater due to a high counteroffer and ADA renovation costs; the district executed Viking Lane sale paperwork that generated about $695,000 for capital projects and $15,000 for a North Bay Elementary trail.
The North Bend School District will not continue pursuing the Port Theater purchase after receiving a counteroffer significantly above the district's budgeted offer, Superintendent Kent told the school board on Jan. 2026.
Kent said the district had explored the purchase carefully and that, after considering the seller's counter, projected ADA renovation requirements and long-term costs, "it does not feel responsible" to continue pursuing that option at this time. He said the board could discuss the matter further in an executive session with the district attorney if needed.
At the same time, Kent said the district received and executed final paperwork for the sale of the Viking Lane property. He said the closed transaction added about $695,000 of unanticipated capital revenue to this year's budget and included $15,000 dedicated to a trail system at North Bay Elementary School. Kent said the district's attorney, Michael Keane of GHR Law, will draft necessary construction and access easements as part of the transaction.
Why it matters: The decision not to pursue the theater removes a potential capital investment option that had been under discussion; the Viking Lane sale immediately increases the district's capital resources and creates a small, designated allocation for a school trail project.
Kent also said the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and Vondeville Power expressed gratitude to the board for considering the offer and that the sale will support future capital projects and maintain available land for district use. He described the Viking Lane transaction as "a big win" for generating unplanned capital revenue.
Kent discussed other district planning items in the same report: he said district leaders have been meeting with union leadership and an Oregon Education Association strategist about the possibility of an operational levy to expand student opportunities, safety, CTE and early learning; he said district staff hope to present options at the February meeting.
The board took no formal vote specifically on the Port Theater decision at the meeting; district staff confirmed the Viking Lane paperwork was signed following attorney review.