The 2016 Battle Ground rose float under construction in the Flex Building owned by the city of Battle Ground. The city has terminated its building lease with the rose float organization. The search is on for a new location for float construction.
Citing the need for additional space for its public works department, the city of Battle Ground has terminated its lease with the all-volunteer Battle Ground Rose Float organization.
The action ends almost nine years of rose-float construction in a city-owned building on SE Grace Avenue.
Rose float volunteers met July 8 to consider options for the future, including the demise of the annual community tradition which has resulted in a decorated float in the Portland Grand Floral parade every year since 1955.
Bill Tucker, treasurer and spokesman for the group, said the options include finding a new location such as an available building or barn in the general Battle Ground area, paying a Portland company to build the float for Battle Ground’s use, building a mini-float in a Portland facility, or dissolving the rose float project with the liquidation of supplies and equipment.
The rose float group currently pays the city $1,080 to rent the “Flex Building” for six months of active use (February-July) and for six months of storage in an upstairs area. The group also pays about $1,500 in utilities for the active use period. In addition, the group rents a commercial storage unit for $2,850 per year where equipment and supplies are kept.
The city’s lease termination notice requires the building to be fully vacated by the end of 2018. A six-month lease termination notice provision was included in the lease agreement.
The city constructed the Flex Building about nine years ago when they dismantled a building known as the Chamber of Commerce building in the city’s Fairgrounds Park where the float was previously constructed. That building, and other facilities at the Park, were removed when the Park was remodeled to make way for the construction of a Community Center and skateboard park.
Tucker said a decision on the fate of the rose float project could be made by the end of August.
Battle Ground city manager Jeff Swanson said the decision to terminate the rose float lease was made in order to better store city equipment. He said two vehicles—a street sweeper valued at about $350,000, and a vacuum truck worth about $750,000, have been stored outside during the six-month rose float construction period. “It’s hard on equipment,” said Swanson, noting that freezing weather could damage the equipment.
Swanson added that the city has a multi-million dollar plan to expand its Operation Center facilities with the construction of more buildings. Year-round use of the Flex Building, he said, will delay the need for the new construction “a few years.”
The decision to end the rose float lease was administrative, said Swanson, and did not require council action, although he had informed the council of the planned lease termination.
“I have no opinion on whether (the rose float) is a worthwhile program,” said Swanson. “It was hard to deliver news like this (lease termination) to those folks.”
Alternate construction location sought
Tucker invites anyone with a suitable building, or anyone who might know of a suitable building, to contact him at 360-687-3619.
The Flex Building is about 30 feet by 50 feet in size with a roll-up door about 14 feet tall. An alternate building could be smaller if a mini float were constructed as it was this year.
In addition, the building needs to have restrooms, storage space, parking for 6-8 cars, water, adequate lighting, and 220 volt power, and be secure, added Tucker. Ideally the building could be used to some extent year-round, he said.
The Flex Building also has a kitchen which is not a requirement of a new location.
Some ideas for a new location were mentioned at the July 8 meeting. Volunteers also discussed finding an area barn of suitable size and construction, or possibly identifying a corporate sponsor who might have warehouse space.
The rose float project costs about $15,000 each year, paid for with donations from area residents and businesses, the sale of fireworks and proceeds from other fundraising events.
If the annual project is discontinued, said Tucker, the chaises of both the 35-foot float and the mini float would be sold, along with welding and sawing equipment, tools and various supplies. Bank accounts could be distributed to area charities, he said.
Tucker can be reached at 360-687-3619.
