The city of Hermiston is no longer considering a request from a private business to purchase the Hermiston Community Center.
During Monday’s Hermiston City Council meeting, City Manager Byron Smith updated the council about the status of a previously reported negotiation regarding the Hermiston Community Center.
City administration had been approached more than six months ago by an investor interested in buying and redeveloping the building and adjacent city-owned property. The business did not present a final proposal within the negotiation timeline set forth by the city, so the discussions are considered concluded at this time.
“It’s in the best financial interest of the taxpayers to give careful consideration to opportunities like this when they are presented,” said Smith. “However, allowing uncertainty to tie up community assets for too long can inhibit our ability to efficiently manage these resources. We have given ample time for this proposal to develop, and now we are moving on.”
If an offer had been extended, the city council would have reviewed it and the public would have been given the opportunity to offer testimony before a council vote.
