By Terry Murry on Tuesday, April 16th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON β The Pendleton Development Commission meets at 6 p.m. today (Tuesday) followed by the regular Pendleton City Council meeting at 7 p.m. Both meetings are in council chambers of Pendleton City Hall.
The PDC will go into an executive session to discuss a recommendation from the PDC Advisory Committee that it award a grant for the Oak Hotel renovation. The Oak Hotel was a former brothel on South First Street. Its owner is hoping to develop it into a boutique hotel focusing on the history of early development in Pendleton. The estimated cost of the project is $985,500. The grant from urban development funding would be for under $250,000. It is possible that after the executive session the PDC will reach a decision on the grant funding.
The commission will also discuss funding for renovating and upgrading the Roy Raley Park Ice Rink, which is in failing condition. A major portion of the funding has already been secured from the Oregon Parks Department and the city of Pendleton. Parks and Recreation Director Liam Hughes is asking the PDC for $25,000.
The agenda for the Pendleton City Council meeting that will follow contains two items under βNew Business.β Both items are related to the development of new housing on the east side of the city.
The first one is a recommendation from city staff that the council approve delivery of a $1.5 million grant via the Oregon Department of Transportation from the federal government related to the design and construction of a connector road from Highway 11 to Highway 30. The city holds the right-of-way dedication from the property owners on that route.
The second item under new business is approving a draft development agreement in the East End Reimbursement District for roadway improvements on Southeast 15th Street. That road will lead to property that developer Tod Lasley of TAC Land LLC plans to use to develop the Summit View Ridge subdivision. A contractor for the city will prepare the documents and design and, working with a contractor, construct the roadway. The costs will be covered by the East End Reimbursement District that was approved by the city council in May 2023.