About 37 acres left for development in Byam Business Park

A construction company, diesel mechanic shop and a bulk food-grade tanker transportation business have bought property and plan to set up shop in the Port of Grandview’s Byam Business Park.

Bestebreur Bros. Construction, Fast Mobile Service and Indian River Transport each have bought port property and are getting ready to start or have begun building at the business park on Colleen’s Way off Stover Road in Grandview.

“Having three new major businesses under construction at one time is a major step in the Port of Grandview’s efforts to bring new business and jobs to the district,” said port Commissioner Jim Sewell.

The port acquired the 70-acre Byam Business Park in 1997. About 37 acres are left for development. Sewell said the property has infrastructure in place and environmental reviews completed.

“It saves a great deal of time because (businesses) don’t have to do the (State Environmental Policy Act) report; it’s already done; the studies on wetlands, endangered species, done. It speeds up the process dramatically. More important is there’s no uncertainty. … It’s shovel-ready,” Sewell said, adding that all a business owner has to do is submit a building plan to the city.

Bestebreur Bros. Construction of Sunnyside bought three acres from the port for $130,371 on the west end of the business park.

The company has been in business since 1958 and works throughout southeastern Washington on projects ranging from commercial construction to civil and industrial projects. It plans to build a new shop and office and relocate its home office to Grandview. It is planning to move into the new building by Thanksgiving.

Glenn Bestebreur of Bestebreur Bros. Construction said he looked at property throughout the Yakima Valley and found the port property to be a good value.

“The infrastructure is all there – water/sewer, curb and gutter, the streets are paved and preliminary soil (tests) are done,” he said. “It’s ready to build on.”

Fast Mobile Service paid $380,800 for its eight-and-a-half-acre site. Started by owners David and Fatima Ruelas in 2005, the business has been in Sunnyside for the past 12 years.

Fast Mobile Service is a diesel mechanic shop specializing in the service and repair of semi-trucks and farm machinery, as well as fleet maintenance and repair and offers 24/7 emergency roadside assistance. This year, the company opened a parts store that carries parts for semi-trucks and trailers. Its property is on the south end of Colleen’s Way.

Fatima Ruelas said the business plans to build a four-bay shop on the property, as well as space for its parts store. The company expects to finish its building by January and move in in February. It also plans to start with 13 employees and hire more as the business grows.

“We chose the Port of Grandview property because of the location, and they made the process very easy for us,” said Fatima Ruelas. “Working with the Port of Grandview has been the easiest part about this whole process. They were willing to help us in any way they could and guided us through this process.”

Indian River Transport, a company based in Winter Haven, Florida, paid $250,000 for a five-acre site at the corner of Colleen’s Way and Stover Road.

The bulk food-grade tanker transportation service hauls commodities consisting of any food-grade liquid.

Its new terminal will include a repair facility and a food-grade tank wash. The company plans to open during the third quarter of 2018 and bring 20 to 30 employees to the site.

Steve Ferguson of Indian River Transport said the company chose to buy the port’s property because of its central location and the support from the port team.

The port also has worked to fill its Wallace Way property, which is home to more than a half-dozen businesses. The port acquired the 50-acre site in the mid-90s. One three-acre lot is left for development.

For more information about the port, Byam Business Park and other available properties, email office@portofgrandview.org or call 509-882-9975.