Developers open to Sisters projects

The developers of Sisters' two large business parks are hoping to jumpstart economic activity on their properties.

Commercial and light-industrial development has been moribund since 2008, but with glimmers of gradual improvement in the national and local economy, there are signs of life in that sector.

However, there is a battle of perception to be won.

"The perception is that our land prices are not competitive enough to bring new business here," said Sisters Economic Development Manager Patty Cordoni. "Also, the perception is that our developers are not working to bring deals to fruition."

Both perceptions may have once been accurate - but things have changed. Land sold for $9 per square foot in the peak of the boom years, but that's long since gone a glimmering.

Developers may have pulled in their horns when it was clear that there wasn't going to be any action at any price. But now there's interest again.

"Everybody has been gritting their teeth and holding on for the last five years," said Shane Lundgren, developer of Sun Ranch Business Park

Land in Sisters' business parks is listed at rates similar to prices elsewhere in Central Oregon. Outside of some bank-owned property, Redmond's current prices are $2 to $3 per square foot. Prices at Three Sisters Business Park and Sun Ranch Business Park are listing at $3 to $3.50, according to data provided by Cordoni and Peter Storton of RE/MAX Revolution in Sisters.

But in an important sense, those price figures are not operative. Both Peter Hall, owner of Three Sisters Business Park and Shane Lundgren of Sun Ranch Business Park, are willing to talk to anyone with a project in mind and everything is on the table.

"Essentially, I don't have a price on my land," Lundgren said.

Peter Hall is willing to work on terms with clients with a plan.

"I've tried to really listen to what the business is looking for," he said, "working with them to keep them from going elsewhere. It's really (about) the number of inquiries and the activity, from my perspective."

Redmond has some competitive advantages in being close to rail, Highway 97 and the Redmond Airport. But, as Cordoni notes, Sisters is not that far from the airport and has highway access, too. Some prefer the environment of Bend.

"It's an uphill battle to compete with Bend, to be honest with you," Hall told The Nugget. "Bend has so many thing so close together."

However, the developers think Sisters can draft off its lifestyle and signature events to draw vibrant companies.

"There's people with money who come to all these events that are in a position to develop and create jobs," Hall said.

The annexation of the Sisters Airport could create a hub of activity that would attract companies like ENERGYneering Solutions, Inc., which employs some 30 engineers and mechanics at its airport headquarters in Sisters.

"I think it has a whole lot of potential, I really do," Hall said.

Lundgren said he has been exploring the idea of a mountain bike ranch on Sun Ranch Business Park, which could tie in with Sisters' growing reputation as a cycling destination. He also thinks that Sisters' live music scene could attract associated industry, from recording facilities to venues to instrument making.

"I think that's the main draw of Sisters, frankly," he said. "That's high-level stuff going on."

The developer also knows that the community would like to see something positive happen with the former Conklin's Guest House on the property.

"I'm endlessly talking to people about trying to do something there," he said. In fact, Lundgren talks to just about everybody he sees about development ideas.

"It's 24/7; when you're awake you're thinking about it," he said. "It's a passion; you've got to stick with it and keep working on it."

Central Oregon's growing microbrew industry may have an impact in Sisters. Three Creeks Brewing Co. negotiated an incentive package with the City of Sisters last year, and Cordoni said that owner Wade Underwood is still interested in launching a brewing facility in Sisters. Hall and Lundgren report that brewers from Bend have also expressed interest in doing something in Sisters.

Broker Peter Storton believes that one project will lead to others.

The question, he says, is "Who's going to start the parade? Who's going to get this going?"

Storton notes that both business parks have a residential component. He believes that this element will become a significant development attractant as Sisters' residential inventory gets soaked up.

There are some cart/horse conundrums at play in Sisters' attempts to build economic vitality. Many believe that an active "scene" in Sisters, including some nightlife, would attract young professionals and the companies that hire them to town. But it's hard to get that downtown vibrancy going without the crowds of young, active folks to support it.

"You can't do that unless you have the demographics for it," Cordoni said.

So the question comes back to Storton's: Who starts the parade?

Both Hall and Lundgren are looking for someone to do just that.

"We're both motivated to see anything happen in Sisters," Lundgren said.

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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