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The Red Building
This page is currently being updated. Check back frequently for new news from the Port of Astoria.
Commercial Development: River Land, LLC
A construction start date is on the horizon for the River Land Company, LLC. The company leased land near the Port of Astoria office early this year, and plans for the 40,000 sq. ft. commercial portion of the facility are firming up.
Jeff Canessa, co-developer with Jason Palmberg, is optimistic ground breaking will occur by late Fall, and several tenants have been secured.
Thus far River Land has attracted a wholesale supply company, two service contractors, a fiberglass boat repair business, and a custom fabrication shop/steel supplier to the facility.
River Land Co., LLC also plans to construct a 15,000 sq. ft. storage facility on the site.
 The Red Building evolves from Cannery Square
Ryan Davis, co-developer with Shawn Helligso and Mark Cary, has seen their vision for the Red Building near the Port's West Basin come to fruition. The potential of seven tenants include Columbia Chocolates factory, retail store and coffee house; Bridgewater Bistro, a new restaurant by Shoalwater Restaurant proprietors Tony and Ann Kischner; The Loft meeting and conference space; Flying Dutchman wine tasting room, a high end salon, and a localized made in the northwest store also focusing on corporate gift baskets. Business at the Red Building is booming and Ryan reports they have 25 weddings already planned for The Loft meeting/event space which includes a full kitchen/on-site catering options and state-of-the-art audio/visual capabilities for up to 250 guest in banquet seating or 400 theater-style.
 The Red Building was purchased from the Port by the partners' organization, called Union Fish Properties, LLC, and the land was leased from the Port. "The success fo this property is a perfect example of the synergy which can be achieved with public and private partnerships," said interim Port director, Ron Larsen.
For more details, log on to www.theredbuildingloft.com.
Columbia Pacific Marine Works
Columbia Pacific Marine Works, previously located near the West Basin, moved the building that housed its marine service business. The “green building” near the West Basin was moved recently to its new home close to the new Englund Marine facility near the Pier 3 boatyard and haul-out facility.
Commercial Development: Will House New Marina Office, Restrooms & Showers
C.A. Taggart Construction is progressing on construction of its commercial development near the West Basin. The building will also house new showers and restrooms for boaters, as well as the Port’s Harbor Master office. Completion is anticipated by Spring 2006.
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 Englund Marine's new location now open for business
Located near the Port's Pier 3 boatyard and haul-out facility is Englund Marine and Industrial Supply's new 40,000 sq. ft. store.
Founded in Astoria in July 1944, Englund Marine has grown to seven retail outlets on the Washington, Oregon, and Northern California Coasts. In March 2001 Englund Marine Purchased
the largest industrial supplier in the area, Fisher Brothers Industrial Supply. Now as one, and in their new facility, they are widely recognized as the largest and most complete marine and industrial supplier on the West Coast.
Whether you are in need of fishing, industrial, or boat maintenance supplies; Englund Marine and Industrial Supply has what you need, plus a whole lot more.
For more details, log on to www.englundmarine.com.
Tenant Expands Cold Storage Capacity
Astoria Pacific Seafoods, a port tenant on Pier 2, expanded its cold storage capacity at its sardine processing facility on the pier. APS added 10,000 sq. ft. to its existing 17,000 sq. ft. plant.
The Port of Astoria received financial assistance for the project in the form of a grant award of $36K from the Northwest Oregon Economic Alliance. NOEA administers State of Oregon lottery dollars through the Regional Investment Fund. The grant funds provided a portion of the approximately $95K the port needed for the rerouting of subterranean utilities on Pier 2, necessary prior to construction.
APS installed blast freezer equipment, providing a state-of-the-art system with the ability to freeze as much as 120 tons of sardines each day with its quick-freeze technology.
 Airport Industrial Park takes another step toward development-ready status
The expansion of LEKTRO (see related story) provided funding for the addition of a new 18" water line at the airport. This enhancement provided a step toward the Airport Industrial Park being included on the Governor’s “shovel ready” industrial site list, available to potential developers.
The Port of Astoria’s Airport Industrial Park is a 45-acre site adjacent to the Astoria Regional Airport. Leasable land or build-to-suit options are available for light to medium industrial development or airfreight distribution warehouse capacity. Twice-daily United Parcel Service air freight service, and lease rates at substantially below those of metropolitan areas make this an ideal location for many types of commercial or industrial businesses.
 Underway at the Astoria Regional Airport is ground preparation for future development of two additional T-hangar buildings. Currently four existing hangars are operating at capacity with a waiting list. Buildings can house up to a dozen aircraft, depending on the final building configuration. Development of the buildings is dependent on securing funding.
In addition, two major aircraft manufacturers have recently used the airport tarmac/facilities as the locale for development of advertising vehicles. Pictured is a Beechcraft Hawker recently flown in for a photo shoot.
For more information, contact the airport manager, Ron Larsen, at (503) 325-4521 or (800) 860-4093.
LEKTRO, Inc. moves ahead after expansion
Following a $2.7 million expansion and remodel, LEKTRO Inc., located at the Astoria Regional Airport, has broadened both its employee base and manufacturing line.
LEKTRO was founded in 1945 as an aircraft maintenance company. In 1950 it manufactured electric mink feed carts, and later added golf carts to its production line. By the mid-eighties, LEKTRO focused its production efforts on an electric aircraft towing vehicle, called the Airporter, and today enjoys a world-wide client base.
Recently LEKTRO celebrated both the sale of its 3,000th Airporter unit to loyal customer American Eagle Airlines and the addition of a smaller model tug designed specifically for new Very Light Jet aircraft.
Eric Paulson, company president/CEO said, "The expansion has allowed LEKTRO to increase production output, and pursue new market segments. We appreciate the support of the Port of Astoria and other economic development engines within the state of Oregon. From our Warrenton home base, we continue to function as ambassadors for the viability of commerce in the region."
"LEKTRO is one of the Port's major industrial tenants," said airport manager Ron Larsen. "We have worked with them over the years to secure funding sources and facilitate infrastructure improvements, aiding in their expansion efforts."
For more details, log on to www.lektro.com
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Western Oregon Waste moves to next phase of operations
"WOW has completed its remodel of the old Ag-Bag facility, and now provides waste and recycling collection service to all of its customers in Clatsop and Tillamook counties from this central operational hub. The customer service office should be open to the public by the end of 2007. Visit WOW's website at www.westernoregonwaste.com or contact customer service at 503 861-0578.
Bornstein Seafoods New Site at Pier 2 is Progressing
Bornstein Seafoods, Inc., a fish processing company, made a strategic decision to relocate its Astoria and Warrenton processing operations into a new, state-of-the-art facility at the Port of Astoria’s central waterfront district. Construction of the 34,000 square foot building and a 102,000 square foot cold storage facility started in March of 2005 after a ceremonial groundbreaking, and was finished a year later. By April of 2006, Bornstein’s began processing shrimp in the new facility and over the course of the summer, slowly moved in the remainder of their operations. Bornstein, Warrenton Deep Sea, a retail market and crab “shaking” (meat extraction) operation, since has moved the crab processing to the new plant, yet the retail market will remain open at its current Skipanon Marina location.
As it is Port policy to refrain from selling land, Bornstein’s and the Port of Astoria have developed the plant under a long-term lease. Financing for the $10.5 million dollar project was secured through the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department (OECDD).
 While summer months tend to bring more activity, Bornstein's currently employees an average of over 120 employees year round, with employment swelling to over 160 people during the summer. The seafood industry has certainly shown signs of a resurgence in recent years, which is a great sign for the Port of Astoria and the local economy.
Another endeavor of Bornstein Seafoods which aims to preserve the cultural heritage of the seafood industry here in Astoria, is the development of what the company calls the Astoria Fish Factory. This will entail two new buildings which will be attached to the recently completed factory, but will be designed to invite the public into the processing plant to learn first hand how the seafood industry operates. One of these buildings will be an Interpretive Center, which will be run in partnership with The Astoria Seafood Consumer Center. Visitors will learn first hand through interactive exhibits and kiosks about fisheries management, catch methods, specific species information, and other seafood related information. The second building will be a Market Pavilion which will house a seafood restaurant, fish market, gift shop and a few more informational kiosks. Plans are to have this next phase of development completed by fall of 2008.
The outcome of the Port of Astoria’s year 2000 Strategic Plan goal has resulted in over $26 million in fishing fleet infrastructure investment by the port – significant considering the Port of Astoria operates on an annual operating budget of approximately $3.5 million.
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