By SUE RYAN
News staff writer
October 29, 2007

Negotiations between the Port of Hood River and DaKine Hawaii for the purchase of the Expo Center have ground to a halt.

The news comes after DaKine informed port commissioners Tuesday of its decision to remain at its downtown location; citing that the 30,350 square foot waterfront structure was too small for the company’s future growth projections. The port plans to continue to explore options to keep the company here.

“Everyone on the commission is in agreement to do everything we can to make sure DaKine has a long and healthy future in Hood River,” said Port Commissioner Kathy Watson. “They are an important foundation of the recreational ‘brain trust’ in this area.”

DaKine Chief Executive Officer Bill Bottomley said while the building could sustain DaKine’s headquarters for a few years, the facility wouldn’t serve their needs past that time.

The company anticipates hiring management-level personnel, which would add about 15 jobs to its current staff of 104. However, Bottomley has stated it will keep its operations in Hood River.

Watson wouldn’t rule DaKine entirely out of the Expo Center’s future, saying that the company has a lot to do to think about how to deploy its people.

As far as what happens next with the Expo Center; that remains to be seen. The port decided last year to redevelop the building for commercial uses because of a severe lack of local employment space and because of the Expo Center’s underperformance as a community and meeting center.

“We need to evaluate the alternatives and re-assess to consider the best course of action,” said Port Director Michael McElwee.

He said because the next port commission meeting on Nov.7 happens to also be its fall planning session, that will be a good time to discuss the next steps.

“My understanding is that our approach to commercial redevelopment remains the same and that the commission wants to stay the course,” he said.

Commissioners Don Hosford and Kathy Watson affirmed that, saying the intent remains commercial redevelopment for the Expo Center.

“My position is we need to be proactive and get someone in there,” Hosford said.

DaKine and the port had been negotiating since March on the feasibility of relocating the sportswear manufacturer from its current downtown location on Columbia Center to the Expo Center.

While DaKine had been the only public taker for the center, three other anonymous parties had courted the port in January when initial applications were being taken. Watson said that continues to be the case, even months later.

“Clearly we were excited about DaKine being the first diamond in the setting for the waterfront but even without them we’re not lacking in suitors for the Expo Center,” she said.