Hermiston council approves sale of 10 acres in South Hermiston Industrial Park

The Hermiston City Council voted unanimously March 23 to approve a purchase-and-sale agreement for 10 acres at Cook 3A in the South Hermiston Industrial Park.

City staff showed aerial maps and described the Cook sites after the city purchased 44 acres from Amazon Data Services in June 2024. "This is, showing Hermiston in general... specifically, what we're talking about this evening is breaking down even further, the Cook Number 3 site, and we're looking to sell Cook 3A, which is the 10 acres on the northernmost portion," staff said. The proposed sale price is $65,000 per acre; after estimated transaction costs (about $35,000), the city stands to net roughly $615,000; staff described this as about $203,000 above that 10‑acre portion's share of the original purchase price.

The buyer told staff they intend to build about a 30,000 square-foot light-industrial building, with possible future expansion up to about 95,000 square feet. Staff said the prospective company is a manufacturer/supplier for the data‑center industry rather than a data center itself. Councilors asked if staff had job estimates; staff said they did not have a firm number but reported the buyer is aggressive and likely to start construction quickly.

Why it matters: The sale begins the process of converting a portion of city-owned industrial acreage into taxable, job‑generating development while leaving the city with ownership of the remaining 34 acres. Staff told council that marketing will continue on the remaining parcels, with price flexibility intended to attract job-creating uses.

What’s next: Council adopted Resolution 24-13 on a unanimous roll-call vote. Staff will complete closing tasks for Cook 3A and continue marketing the remaining property for development.