Since Jefferson County purchased the former Miller Lumber building on Sixth and B streets in Madras, the Madras Community Food Pantry has been eagerly awaiting moving into the structure. However, a potential new affordable housing development has stalled the pantry’s move into the building and may necessitate finding another new location.
At the Aug. 28 county commission meeting, representatives from the food pantry met with the commissioners to discuss a potential lease for the space, so the pantry could begin the needed renovations of the property and move in. However, discussion of the proposed development led the county commissioners to delay a lease, as they decide if they will sell the building to the developer or lease it to the food pantry.
The sale
Jefferson County bought the Miller Lumber building from Central Oregon Community College, which Miller Lumber has donated the building to, in June 2024. The county paid $375,000 for the building, and initially announced it would be used for the food pantry, which has been looking for a new space for over a year.
At that time, County Commissioner Kelly Simmelink stated “the commissioners’ purchase of the building is a reflection of the county’s commitment to assist our neighbors, friends, and children with basic services. Our partnership with the Madras Community Food Pantry to purchase the building and offer a below-market rent will put more food on the table for our mutual constituents.”
The 40,000-square-foot lot includes a building as well as outdoor storage areas, and lots of outdoor space that the pantry hopes to use for a garden, greenhouse and parking for pantry visitors. The roof needs significant repairs, and an HVAC system needs to be installed before they can move it, but they have received over $120,000 in grant funding that needs to be used by January 2025. At the commission meeting, the pantry shared they had the funds for the first stage of the buildings improvements, making it usable to move into.
When the county purchased the property from COCC, they elected to pay $75,000 more to purchase the property without any restrictions. The counteroffer presented by COCC mentions the food pantry specifically, and offered a lower sale price of $300,000, if the property had a 15-year deed restriction that limited the use to the food pantry, or related activities primarily serving low-income community members. The county, though, chose not to limit themselves and therefore paid the $375,000.
The new development
Shortly after the county purchased the building, they were informed by the city of Madras about a project that was coming down the pipeline for the city-owned properties on Sixth Street, including the post office and the empty lot next to it and the adjacent Miller building. The project, still very early in development, would build four-story apartment buildings with retail on the bottom floor, including a newly built post office. The 135-to-160-unit complex would house a 50/50 split of market rate apartments and affordable housing.
The initial project did not include the Miller building, but after the county purchased it, the developer reached out and offered the county $400,000 for the property, according to the city. The developer also offered a 2,000 to 2,500 square-foot space on the ground floor of the building for the pantry, to be leased rent free. The church room the pantry is currently in is 2,500 square-feet, without including area used by their freezers or office space.
The pantry’s needs
During the Aug. 28 meeting, Simmelink stated he needed more time to consider what the county would do.
“We do need to look at the pocketbook and make sure it makes sense. I want this project to happen, and you all to have a space as well,” said Simmelink.
The pantry currently operates out of the Madras United Methodist Church on A Street. The church has allowed the pantry to use their space for many years, but the pantry has grown, as has the congregation, and the church has requested the pantry try to find a new location. Food pantry executive director Kathleen May says they take up three-quarters of the church’s space.
Two years ago, the food pantry looked into building a space to fit their needs, after not finding adequate space within their budget. They drew up plans and got a cost estimate of $3.1 million for a space which did not include a kitchen or dining room, something they hope to add to their services eventually.
The pantry stated in the meeting that growth is needed to serve the needs of the community. They shared that, according to Oregon Food Bank surveys, there has been a 43% increase in Jefferson County residents using a food pantry since January of this year.
They estimate they need a minimum of 4,000 square feet to be functional, and able to properly serve their clients, along with adequate parking, since many of their clientele are elderly or unable to carry heavy groceries for long distances.
The high price tag of a new building, which also did not include land costs, caused the pantry to look at other options, and reach out to the county to get support for finding a new location. The Miller building checked many of their boxes, it had enough square footage, adequate space for parking, and the potential for outdoor garden space, something the pantry has already come to an agreement on with Heart of Oregon Corps to manage.
Potential solutions
As the county commissioners consider selling the building back to the developer to create more affordable housing in the county, or keeping it to lease to the food pantry, they also presented other potential solutions to the need for more space for the food pantry.
One such solution presented was moving into Erickson’s Thriftway building after it closes in late September, but the large building size and the high cost to power the building quickly showed that was not an ideal solution.
The developers offer to give the pantry space in the new building was also discussed, but representatives at the meeting from the food pantry told commissioners the offer as it stands would not work.
“It’s not enough space, not enough parking, and we’re giving up the ability to have outdoor space as well,” said May.
They stated the developer had allotted them five parking spaces, “That’s not enough for our volunteers even,” said May. The county asked if they could store food offsite, which the pantry said would be possible, but would be a significant hardship, as their volunteer base is primarily older adults that are not physically able to move large quantities of food that often.
The idea of building a space to suit the pantry, as the pantry had considered two years ago, was also suggested, but the pantry said the high cost meant it was many years down the road, and they need to move sooner rather than later.
Another solution presented was the county subsidizing some cost paid to the church by the pantry, which may allow them to stay longer at their current location until something can be fixed. However, the pantry has already been looking to relocate and allow the church to have its space back for many years.
The commission made no decision or instruction to staff on an agreement with the pantry or the status of the Miller building but directed staff to add further discussion to the agenda at the county commission meeting Sept. 25.
“I know the county has the needs of the pantry in mind, and are trying to make a solution possible,” said May. “I hope they will continue to help us find a solution and make a space possible for us, so we can continue to serve our clients.”
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