Cowlitz County staff push to market vacant lots and study consolidation of county buildings

Mike Moss, Public Services Director, told the Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners staff want direction to start surplus and sale processes for several properties and to pursue deeper feasibility work on building consolidation.

Staff recommended immediately surplusing three vacant lots in Kelso as a group, estimating combined proceeds near $300,000, while doing further valuation work on two Kalama lots and a 13‑acre Ocean Beach Highway parcel that has limited buildable area. Moss said two Janice House residential properties are being marketed at about $300,000 each but noted existing five‑year leases with convenience clauses may limit immediate sale options.

On consolidation, staff proposed studying whether the county could move the health department into the county annex and put the health department property on the market. A realtor’s preliminary range for that building was roughly $1.2 million to $1.6 million, staff said, and facilities charges for the health property are about $43,000 per year. Commissioners requested more detailed staff counts, a parking analysis and a clearer accounting of lease constraints before authorizing any sale or department relocation.

Shawn, a facilities staffer, said the recommendation focused on “low‑hanging fruit” — properties that could be listed quickly and return revenue to the tax rolls — and emphasized the surplus process will include a public hearing. Commissioners instructed staff to return with more information and to proceed with listing the three Kelso lots.

The board did not approve any sale at the meeting; staff will return with valuations, lease details and a public‑hearing timeline.