Port hires architect to consult on industrial park building

--photo Debbie Snell

The Port of Whitman has hired an architect for a preliminary design of the upstairs of this building in the Pullman Industrial Park.

Port of Whitman County commissioners Thursday, June 16, approved financing for an architectural consult for the design of the upstairs space of the Henley Court building Phase 3, directly above the Merry Cellars Winery on the first story, in the Port Industrial Park in Pullman.

Port Properties and Development Manager Debbie Snell reported that several inquiries have been made about renting the upper space in the building which has not been on the market.

“At this point, it's really not leasable because of its unfinished state, but we have had several potential tenants approach us to locate at the space in Henley Court,” she told the commissioners.

Snell said there has been enough interest in the space to move forward with an architectural design consult. She said the consult will allow the Port to know if they should finish that upstairs space for lease. She told the Gazette the design consult will look into the feasibility of designing three, 1,000 square-foot office lab spaces, a unisex bathroom and a hallway for the space.

“Right now, it's a big wide open room. There's not even sheet rock on the walls,” Snell said. “We have to figure out how much it will cost and if it is worth our time.”

Snell said the potential to finish the space could be beneficial to new businesses in Pullman.

“There's not a whole lot available in Pullman for start ups,” she said.

The commissioners approved the motion to go forward with an architectural design process at the cost of approximately $4,000 at the meeting last week. The design process will be completed by Russell C. Page Architects of Spokane.