Blaine reaches Gateway property deal with White-Leasure

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The city of Blaine and the White-Leasure Development Company have reached an agreement for the purchase of about five acres of the Gateway property, formerly the site of the Blaine Municipal Airport. The five-acre parcel is the last piece of the Gateway property that the city owns, so the proposed deal, if it proceeds, would represent a milestone in the city’s history.

At a special city council meeting on September 12, Blaine city manager Michael Jones presented a draft purchase and sale agreement to councilmembers, who voted 5-0 (Alicia Rule and Steve Lawrenson were excused) to authorize Jones to enter into the agreement with White-Leasure, which is based in Boise, Idaho and specializes in the development of retail shopping centers, hotels and other projects.

The buyer intends to develop a commercial center on the property, with an undetermined mix of tenants. The site is adjacent to a 2.5-acre plot of land that Family Care Network (FCN) recently agreed to purchase for the development of a new medical center. If FCN chooses not to develop, White-Leasure would be required to purchase the entire 7.5-acre site, which is bordered by H Street to the north, the truck route to the west and Grant Avenue to the east.

“I’m excited that potentially the last piece of the airport property is getting sold, that we can get this on the tax rolls, and I’m excited about the jobs that it’s going to potentially generate, and adding services for the citizens,” said councilmember Eric Davidson.

Councilmember Jaime Arnett agreed, adding that “the added retail and services are just going to add value and attract buyers for the new neighborhood that we’re building in east Blaine as well.”

According to the terms of the deal, price has been established at $5.50 per square foot. The agreement allows for a 180-day feasibility period, with an option for the city manager to grant an additional 180-day feasibility extension. Earnest money, in the amount of $50,000, would become non-refundable upon granting a feasibility extension.

The agreement also requires the White-Leasure Development Company to report the status of their tenant recruitment and contracting to the city manager at 90-day increments throughout the feasibility period. “We’ll be getting kept appraised along the way, and they will have the opportunity to work with a variety of tenants and contract for the project,” said Jones.

Blaine mayor Bonnie Onyon said the deal was a major step forward. “This is the last major milestone in a long time coming in the disposition of the former airport property and we feel this will be a very positive development for the people of Blaine,” she said. “I think we’ve got a good company, very reputable with a lot of experience in doing major retail, and we’re excited to see what kind of tenants they will be able to attract to this site. It’s quite an exciting thing, having the last piece of the airport property being sold.”

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