Two Oregon brothers are set to meet with Tumwater officials this week about redeveloping a portion of the long-neglected brewery property. The brewery, best known for producing Olympia beer, halted production in June 2003.
The Thursday meeting is with the city's Development Review Committee, which typically provides feedback to developers on what the city will require of their projects.
The properties in question are the warehouse buildings in Tumwater Valley, across Capitol Boulevard from the main brewery buildings that flank Custer Way and the Deschutes River.
"It's a shame they have been vacant for so long," said George Hale on Monday about the brewery property.
Hale is a residential and industrial real estate developer who currently is redeveloping a former food processing plant in Stayton, Oregon, he said, which is southeast of Salem. His brother, Mike, is a commercial real estate broker who also appears to specialize in industrial property, according to his LinkedIn profile.
George said Monday they have a tentative agreement to purchase the valley property, contingent on what they learn at Thursday's meeting. He also wouldn't rule out the possibility of buying the whole thing. The current brewery owner is Tumwater Development LLC and its principal Chandu Patel.
Patel could not be reached.
Thursday's meeting will focus on the redevelopment of the valley property for warehouse or manufacturing use, according to the DRC agenda.
The property is not without its challenges, Tumwater Community Development Director Mike Matlock said.
"There's nothing in there now," he said about the buildings. "There's no electricity, there's no water, no sewer, no fire sprinklers. It's not occupiable right now."
"It's not insurmountable," said Matlock about the challenges, "but it's also not cheap."
Hale said Monday he is aware of those challenges and he added one more: the buildings are in a flood plain.
However, not only do the Hales want to learn more about the property, he said, they also want to know how much the city is willing to help or aid their cause.
"That is the question," he said.
The DRC meeting is set for 1:30 p.m. Thursday.
