County to demolish homes near fairgrounds
By Dan Thesman on Monday, July 10th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – Current renters of seven properties owned and managed by Walla Walla County near the fairgrounds have been notified to move out by Nov. 1 following a unanimous decision made by the board of commissioners in April to discontinue managing the rental properties. The houses, located to the east of the fairgrounds along Orchard Street, South Fourth Avenue and Donald Street, will be demolished as soon as possible.
“It is also our intent to make them available to the fire department for training exercises,” Commissioner Jenny Mayberry said. “We do not want the houses sitting empty for any period of time due to the potential for trespassing and damage.”
Mayberry said the properties were acquired by the county in the 1980s to eventually expand the fairgrounds. A parking area is one option being considered for the properties.
“The land is important to us to have for our fair and for all of our events that we are having,” Fair Manager Greg Lybeck said during the April 10 county board of commissioners meeting. “And the parking would be beneficial to us.”
Commissioner Todd Kimball agreed with Lybeck.
“People have to cross the street to get to our fairgrounds and this would just make it safer for our fair goers so they can park on the blocks that the county is having their fairs.”
While no final or formal plans have been set for the properties, the income from the rentals, approximately $32,000 annually, has been accumulating for several years and will be the source of funds for demolition and development.
Mayberry said the board of commissioners and fair management, have provided references for many of the renters.
“Currently, two of the seven renters have already found housing with one renter moving out the first of July and the second planning to be out by the first week of August,” Mayberry added.
