Development approaches for 33 Port acres near Pullman Industrial Park

The Port of Whitman County two weeks ago discussed a water and sewer line it installed in Pullman four years ago and the future plans for development along that line.

Port Executive Director Joe Poiré reported to commissioners two weeks ago that he has been in discussions with the Pullman Public Works department to determine how the Port will be reimbursed for the water and sewer lines when development occurs.

“We turn in this map and say 'we paid a million to bring water and sewer out to this line,'” explained Poiré. “The city reimburses the Port. We're just working through that process right now.”

Poiré detailed that he has been working with Pullman Public Works Director Kevin Gardes to draw the lines for the water and sewer cost distribution.

“You draw what you think the encapturement zone should be,” he said.

The Port installed water and sewer lines four years ago near its Pullman Industrial Park. The lines run along Highway 27 to the Albion Road and then down that road until the Mader elevators. Poiré said the lines are underneath the paved bike path in that area.

Pullman has been planning for development in those areas, which is why it is necessary to determine how the Port will be reimbursed once the developments are hooked up to the water and sewer lines.

“He modified it to what is the actual true service area,” said Poiré, noting that some areas were excluded because they will never be able to be developed. “We defined the map, and Kevin's proceeding.”

Poiré said the City of Pullman is looking at housing developments, and at the same time, the Port is looking at how to best use approximately 33 acres it owns out there.

In a joint meeting with county commissioners Monday, Port Commissioners Tom Kammerzell and Kristine Meyer said there will be discussions throughout the fall on what to do with the 33 Port-owned acres.

“We're trying to figure out the best usage for that,” said Kammerzell.

“There's lots of different ways, and we're exploring how to facilitate that,” said Meyer, explaining that some community forums or surveys may be conducted.

Kammerzell said the discussion around what to do with those acres feeds into the larger discussion of development in Pullman.

“Pullman is changing very quickly,” he said. “The downtown dynamics are changing, and they're talking about building up instead of out. We're on the map now, and you want to make sure to do that development correctly.”

Meyer noted that it will be important to develop the 33 acres in a way the community wants.

“It's not as isolated as other places we've developed,” she said, noting that it is very close to developed areas in Pullman.

Kammerzell said there may be discussions on this topic at today's Port meeting. The meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Port building on Mill Street. The public is invited to attend.