Port approves contracts for Commerce Center

Three contracts, totalling $198,000, have been given the go-ahead by the Port of Camas-Washougal Commission, for construction engineering services pertaining to the Steigerwald Commerce Center.

The contracts for phase one of the Steigerwald project include the production of civil engineering plans and the construction specifications for the site grading and utility improvements. The fee for that work, to be completed by MacKay & Sposito, Inc., is $163,000.

A $23,000 contract with Ecological Land Services, Inc., will include the development of a wetland mitigation plan, Joint Aquatics Resource Permit Application and coordination of permits. A $12,000 contract with Columbia West Engineering, Inc., includes a geotechnical site investigation report.

The cost of the contracts can be paid for with some of the $1.5 million in the state budget allocated to the commerce center. Phase one of the project, formerly known as the East Industrial Park, is expected to include the extension of approximately 1,500 feet of street from Truman, east into the commerce center.

Port Executive Director David Ripp has said the goal is to market a range of smaller, mid-size and larger lots. He wants to “put a shovel in the ground” by August.

Ripp said companies have contacted the port about potentially locating at the Steigerwald Commerce Center.

“There is nothing definite, but we are starting to get calls and interest,” he said.