End of an era for the former airport site

Two property deals made by the city of Blaine for the remainder of the Gateway parcel, formerly the site of the Blaine Municipal Airport, mark the end of an era for the old airport site.

The recent deals are for the last remaining pieces of the Gateway parcel. “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,” Blaine mayor Bonnie Onyon said.

The first deal, between the city and Family Care Network (FCN), is for the purchase of about 2.5 acres of the Gateway parcel. FCN intends to build a new medical center on the property, including an outpatient family medicine clinic, a medical laboratory and an urgent care center.

At the September 9 city council meeting, councilmembers voted unanimously to authorize city manager Michael Jones to sign a purchase and sale agreement with FCN on behalf of the city. As of September 23, the city was still waiting to receive a signed agreement from FCN.

The second deal, between the city and the Boise, Idaho-based White-Leasure Development Company, is for the purchase of about five acres of the Gateway parcel. White-Leasure intends to develop a commercial center on the property, with an undetermined mix of tenants.

At a special city council meeting on September 12, Jones presented a draft purchase and sale agreement to councilmembers, who voted to authorize Jones to enter into the agreement with White-Leasure. The company has since signed the agreement, said city attorney Jon Sitkin.