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County presents facilities and surplus‑property inventory as potential revenue and consolidation options
Summary
Cowlitz County facilities staff outlined vacant lots and buildings, including three lots near the Hall of Justice, an annex that is 100% vacant, and a juvenile facility with an estimated $9.8 million in deferred needs; staff asked the board whether to pursue appraisals, surplus hearings or consolidation.
Savannah Clement, public services, presented a five‑year facilities and square‑footage plan and asked commissioners for guidance on next steps for county properties and consolidation. She identified three vacant lots across from the Hall of Justice, two parcels in Calama (one about 1.77 acres), and a surplus parcel on Ocean Beach Highway that is ready for sale. "These first two, the three vacant lots as well as this one, they have not gone through the official surplus process," she said, describing the public‑hearing steps required to move a property off county books.
Clement also reviewed major county buildings: the Hall of Justice has a vacant third floor (about 45,000 square feet) and ongoing HVAC and lighting projects; the Annex building is currently "100% vacant," though noxious‑weed staff will occupy about 2,400 square feet of the first floor; and the juvenile facility faces roughly $9.8 million in construction and system upgrades, including a new roof, HVAC and security work.
Sean (county staff) described tax‑title inventory and constraints on resale, noting many unsold parcels are slivers or otherwise hard to market; when commissioners asked how many such parcels exist, the reply was "hundreds," though staff clarified many are small or unbuildable.
Clement asked the board whether to direct staff to pursue market valuations, initiate surplus hearings or prioritize properties for sale or consolidation as part of budget planning. Commissioners asked for follow‑up maps and listings; no final board action was recorded in the meeting minutes.
What’s next: Staff will provide additional details on acreage, market estimates and the tax‑title inventory if the board directs them to proceed.
