March 20, 2023 3:50 a.m.
After sitting vacant for many years, the former Rite Aid building in downtown Roseburg may soon have a new owner.
The sale of the 1.13 acres of land, at the corner of Southeast Jackson Street and Southeast Washington Avenue, went pending on March 14th. The 32,414 square foot building has been owned by a family in California for decades. The hopeful new owner is Bernie Woodward of Elk Island Trading Group LLC.
In emails to News Radio 93-9 FM and 1240 KQEN, Woodward said their short term goal is to renovate the building so it is not such an eyesore while looking to the public for real input on uses that would connect the historic downtown business with potential plans for improving the waterfront area. Woodward points to the current Waterfront Master Plan and the future development of the Pine Street Waterfront Overlay area. Woodward said his long-term goal comes from the vision of Wayne Patterson of the Umpqua Economic Development Partnership for a 3-story boutique hotel. Woodward pictures 3 additional floors of condominiums.
Woodward admits the idea is complex and said, “it needs to be stressed it will take many stars aligning and strategic partners coming in to make this work for our community. But we need to get started somewhere”.
Woodward also hopes to eventually acquire the former Safeway property just to the west, which is owned by the same family. For now, Woodward is looking to find uses that make sense for the current building. He said much work will be needed including roof repair, lots of painting, asbestos removal or encapsulation, heating and air conditioning repair and lots more. Woodward said the hotel could go on the former Safeway property, but feels it would better fit where the former Rite Aid building is now, giving “more pop” to the Jackson/Washington intersection.
Woodward notes that Elk Island Trading Group LLC has already purchased and cleaned up 13 properties in the waterfront area. His long-range plan includes a bridge from the end of Pine Street to Elk Island which he envisions as a location for many events and activities.
While seeing much potential for all of his ideas, Woodward said, “I want to manage people’s expectations here so they understand none of this will be happening overnight”.
News Radio 93-9 FM and 1240 KQEN will be following up on this potential project with future stories.