Quincy port considering sale of Bishop Rec Area

QUINCY — Whether or not to sell the Bishop Recreation Area, and how to sell it if that’s the decision, was a topic of discussion by Port of Quincy commissioners and staff Wednesday.

The rec area overlooks the Columbia River, about 10 miles downriver from Crescent Bar. The land is in the port’s industrial development district, and that, said port Comptroller Darci Kleyn, will make a difference in how it’s sold — if commissioners decide to sell it.

“You could see if there’s any interest at all before you take any steps,” Kleyn said.

One of the options would require two independent appraisals of the property, and Commissioner Curt Morris said he wants to know how much it’s worth.

“Since we don’t really know (the land’s value) — I mean, we’re picking a number out of the air. I’d almost feel more comfortable to have the appraisals, just so we know internally,” Morris said.

If commissioners left the land within the development district, appraisals and a public hearing would be required. There are regulations governing the price, Kleyn said.

The second option would require the commissioners to remove the land from the development district. It could be declared surplus and the commissioners could set their acceptable price, Kleyn said.

Commissioner Brian Kuest said he would prefer the latter.

“I don’t know why we wouldn’t start with a number equal to what we paid for it. And then go from there,” Kuest said.

Commissioners decided to consider a resolution taking the land out of the development district at the Aug. 23 meeting, with the option to table it.

In other business, commissioners gave permission for Grant County PUD crews to survey and take soil samples along the proposed route of a 230 kV transmission line that would connect three substations in the Quincy area.

Morris said the line would cross port property.

“The line is coming from the Sabey (data center) substation and it’ll go right from our fence at the intermodal yard, then it gets diverted down Intermodal Way,” Morris said.

The intermodal yard, 408 Intermodal Way, provides access to the Burlington Northern rail lines that run through Quincy. Freight can be loaded for rail shipment or unloaded for truck transport.

The transmission line would be part of the Quincy Transmission Expansion Project, which will connect existing substations around Quincy along with a new switchyard. Blair Fuglie, PUD senior lands manager, said the design of the project is about 30% complete.

Cheryl Schweizer may be reached via email at cschweizer@columbiabasinherald.com.