Building Industry Association plans 7,000-square-foot office building
The Building Industry Association of Southwest Washington is planning to do some building. The trade association has outgrown its N.E. St. Johns Road location, where it plans to rebuild. The BIA will replace its existing facility, a converted 3,000-square-foot home, with a one-story, 7,000-square-foot office building.
BIA Executive Director David Roewe said over the past five years, the association has doubled to 975 members, and the staff has also grown twofold to eight. After looking across the county for a new location, Roewe said the BIA decided to "build a facility that fits our needs."
Plans call for removing the existing building on the half-acre lot, which may be moved to another location, said Roewe. The BIA plans to utilize 5,000 square feet of the new building and lease out the remaining space, preferably to a business within the industry.
The association is beginning a capital campaign for the $1.3 million project. The campaign is being headed up by local CPA Vern Peterson. The association said it is looking to its membership to provide in-kind donations and discounts for the services and products going into the construction of the facility. Roewe expects construction to begin next September and last six to nine months.
Roewe is particularly excited about finally having a conference room for the BIA and its members to utilize, as meetings are now scattered all over the county.
Larry Wilson and Dan Salazar of Vancouver architectural firm Wilson Associates are working with the BIA on the design of the building.
– Shane Cleveland
