Clackamas County mulling purchase of former Bob’s Red Mill property

Published 1:36 pm Friday, May 16, 2025

Clackamas County is considering the purchase of the former Bob’s Red Mill site in Milwaukie for educational services in partnership with Oregon State University.

The county board of commissioners authorized a letter of intent to consider the purchase of the property during a meeting Thursday, May 15 and plans to decide whether to move forward with the purchase during a meeting Tuesday, May 20.

“We are not making a commitment,” Chair Craig Roberts said at the Thursday meeting. “We are saying ‘We’re going to look at this, consider this and it may or may not happen.’”

Bob’s Red Mill, which was known for selling healthy foods and had a retail store and cafe, closed in February. In March, the 1.96-acre site was listed for sale at $5.95 million.

The county and OSU have worked for over a decade to try to establish a location for a new education extension center and have looked at the Red Soils Campus as well as, more recently, Clackmas Community College as options.

“In November 2024, CCC $120 million bond renewal was passed. While not explicitly naming an Extension Education Center, this was shared as a possibility in community meetings. A ‘Natural Resources Center of Excellence’ is detailed in bond project descriptions. However, CCC reports that there are no restrictions on the bond that it be used specifically for an Extension/4H facility,” a county meeting packet reads.

During the commission meeting, county Chief Executive Officer Gary Schmidt said that Bob’s Red Mill has another offer on the table and gave the commission a short timeline for deciding whether to pursue the purchase, thus necessitating the letter of intent.

Commissioner Paul Savas felt that the Clackamas Community College option had a number of merits, including its location, and said he didn’t have enough information on the Bob’s Red Mill idea yet.

Schmidt said he expected the board to come to a decision on the matter by the conclusion of its meeting Tuesday.

 

 

 

Gary: clackamas county extension and 4h service district, potential purchase of property. Former bob’s red mill store and restaurant.

Broker needs letter of intent by 5 p.m. today. We redrafted letter of intent to say contingent on board of directors meeting may 20 to discuss further.

Savas: been here 15 years. …

Very excited with extension clackamas community college was moving forward. This was a change from that.

I take the word intent very seriously and I don’t want to construe.

Not ready to show intent. Want to look into it.

I think the work they have done with the college has been far more engagement far more detailed.

Now or never, awkward position to put us in. wish more prep and material.

Somewhat untenable position.

Jane: letter that was sent to us, unless we take steps within fvie days, going through intending to make purchase. The way edited makes contingent further discussions.

Legally the letter doesn’t do much for either party frankly. Doesn’t give them much assurance and doesn’t bind us.

Roberts: I think this is not typically the normal process and I believe that both…I see what the college ahs to say, what the extension service has to say and I believe bob’s red mill is also trying to help in this matter.

Puts on pause until board has discussion. Can kill deal.

Need more info.

Gary: just buys time until tuesday.

You’re being put into a box by the bob’s red mill folks.

West: did not expect almost different tone.

Should be lengthy public process.

Gary: therei s a second offer on the table. The other offer said they need to know today…they have a guaranteed deal in hand.

Savas: It pains me to hear if we don’t do this we will kill it.

I just think that’s a key location that college. I’m excited. There’s traffic it’s education based it’s got location it’s easy to get to, it’s in the heart of clackamas county especially the agricultural aspect. It’s got all the right stuff.

Don’t want to forgo an opportunity….would sign letter of consideration would not approve a letter of intent because that word needs something.

West: don’t like that it’s a letter of intent but not really a letter of intent.

Jane: the point of a letter of intent is to have benchmark deadlines.

Roberts: we are not making a commitment. We are saying we’re going to look at this, consider this and it may or may not happen.

West: I’m leaning toward …

Savas: is letter of intent to consider, is that viable.

Jane: can use language like consider.

Policy session tuesday.

Gary: expecting you to move forward or no next Tuesday

Authorize staff to draft a letter of intent to consider.