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PORT PURCHASES CROWN CORK & SEAL BUILDING

Port of Walla Walla Commission President, Ken Jantz, announced today the Port has purchased the former Crown Cork & Seal building in Walla Walla, Washington. The Plant encompasses 194,000 square feet and is located on 11.1 acres. The sale price was $625,000.

As part of the purchase and sale agreement, the Port has agreed to undertake remediation of asbestos and lead that was identified in the Port’s environmental assessment of the property. Commissioner Jantz said, “The environmental remediation work is expected to be completed within the next two months.”

Opened in 1941 as Continental Can, the plant was purchased by Crown Cork & Seal in 1991. During its peak years, the plant produced nearly 250 million to 350 million food grade cans a year for the regional food processing industry. Crews could produce as many as 19 different types of cans.

The plant has been vacant since Crown Cork & Seal closed the can making operation in the spring of 1999. “Without a party willing to undertake the required environmental cleanup this building would have remained vacant and deteriorated beyond repair. The Port believes this project represents an important urban renewal project for the Walla Walla community. The Port looks forward to transforming an undesirable vacant building into a marketable asset,” said Jantz.

The Port will be marketing the building to both single users as well as looking into the feasibility of subdividing the building to accommodate multiple users. Targeted businesses include distribution companies, manufactures, wine related businesses and suppliers to the Cliffstar Corporation, a private-label juice processing plant located next to the former Crown Cork & Seal building.

Founded in 1952, the Port is the lead economic development agency for Walla Walla County. The Port’s primary mission is the creation and retention of family wage jobs. The Port is governed by three-elected Commissioners: Ken Jantz, Paul Schneidmiller and Fred Bennett.

For more information contact James M. Kuntz, Executive Director, (509)525-3100 or jk@portwallawalla.com. Information on the Port’s economic development initiatives can be found at www.portwallawalla.com.