By Kevin Hanson-The Courier-Herald
The city of Enumclaw is shedding its landlord status, with one piece of highly-priced commercial real estate leaving the city roster and, perhaps, another soon to follow.
The city has sold the two-story, two-building Villa Vista apartment complex, a parcel it grudgingly accept last spring. The complex sits adjacent to the municipal wastewater treatment plant, which is about to see significant improvement and expansion. As part of that project, the city needed some of the acreage held by the Villa Vista ownership.
Feeling the business would be compromised by selling just a portion of the adjacent land, Villa Vista's owners asked the city to purchase the entire holding - land, two apartment buildings, parking lot, everything. The city ultimately paid more than $3.6 million for the commercial property.
At that time, city leaders made it clear they would be selling the complex as quickly as possible. That task was accomplished recently, with the city disposing of the structures and a portion of the land for $2.4 million. The city retained the land necessary for the treatment plant project.
Also currently under discussion is the fate of the hulking commercial property at 911 Battersby Ave. and a smaller building next door.
The smaller building has a solid tenant and the large building is home to four operations, all paying monthly rent to the city.
City Administrator Mark Bauer said a potential buyer has stepped forward and has been in negotiations for the entire property, which carries a $2 million price tag.
The city has been advertising the property itself but, if things aren't worked out with a buyer by the end of the week, Bauer said, a commercial real estate firm will be retained.
The Battersby property has followed an interesting path on its way to landing on the city's “for sale” register. The building that once housed a food-service operation was converted into the home for Industrial Skills, a not-for-profit enterprise aimed at providing jobs, and a modest salary, for the Plateau's special-needs population.
For Industrial Skills to take possession of the large warehouse building, a governmental entity was needed to take a leadership role. The city stepped up and took ownership, acknowledging the building could only be used for specific purposes, and leased the building to Industrial Skills for the token annual payment.
When I.S. disbanded in 2003, the city found itself in possession of the entire parcel.
Currently, the city's tenants include a martial arts studio, food-service and window businesses and a local furniture store that leases 10,000 square feet for storage purposes.
Kevin Hanson can be reached at khanson@courierherald.com.
