The Port of Walla Walla staff has been working with the representatives of Valley Septic and Portable Restroom Service and Himark Custom Fab, LLC regarding purchasing real property at the Waitsburg Business Park.  The light industrial park is adjacent to U.S. Highway 12 and the Port of Columbia’s railroad line.

Valley Septic and Portable Restroom Services, Inc. is a locally owned and operated business offering portable restroom services as well as septic pumping and septic related services. Owners Mark and Carol Johnson, also own Harry Johnson Plumbing and Excavating, the long-time Waitsburg business that is also located at the Waitsburg Business Park. The Johnson’s are interested in purchasing Lot 2, via a real estate contract with the Port, and plan to construct a metal building for their business operation similar to their metal building located on Lot 1 (Harry Johnson Plumbing and Excavating). The purchase cost of $1.25 per square foot would price the lot at $88,699.

Himark Custom Fab LLC, a custom fabricator of bumpers, sled decks, sled beds, and agricultural equipment repairs, is interested in purchasing Lot 6, via a real estate contract with the Port, and also intends to construct a metal building that is suitable for large agriculture equipment repairs and metal fabrication. In addition, Himark would like to have a “First Right of Refusal” on Lot 5 for future business expansion opportunities. For Lot 6 the rate of $1.25 per square foot prices out at $78,516.

Owner Tyson Stowers states that the purchase “isn’t a for sure thing, we hope to work things out within the next couple of months.” His hope is to build a bigger shop, approximately 80' x 120’.

The properties would be purchased over time with monthly lease payments applied towards the acquisitions, with a 5 percent down payment and the remaining cost amortized over a 10-year time period.

Waitsburg Commercial Club President Joy Smith commented, “It’s great news for Waitsburg.”