Siletz.Net

This is the second in a series of features that Siletz.Net is doing on our tribal holdings. This series is in response to tribal members' expressed desire to know more about the properties we own. These pieces are dynamic so we will add updates and details over time.

Chemawa Station LLC (CSLLC)- A development which is proposed to occupy 15.6 acres of approximately 19.8 acres, which was deeded, by the Federal government, jointly to the Siletz and Grand Ronde tribes in 2002. A groundbreaking ceremony took place on the site on June 20, 2005 and work began in September of that year, but progress was short-lived when construction was stalled due to lack of financing in early 2006. $3.5 million has already been spent on those initial improvements and planning.

Since early 2006, all work has ceased on the project while political maneuvers ensued to nullify the reversionary clause in the deed, which made it impossible to use the land as collateral. After several trips to Washington, DC and expenditures of intense lobbying efforts, a bill was passed this summer and signed by President Bush on August 13, 2007 which will make it possible for the tribes to use the property as collateral on an estimated additional $16 - $20 million loan to continue development of the site. The Siletz tribe's share and obligation for the loan is expected to be $8 million to $10 million.

The proposed development includes 103,000 sq. ft. of floor area dedicated to offce/industrial in a business park setting and 46,000 sq. ft. defined, for now, as restaurant, gas station, convenience store, and a multi-tenant retail building. Chemawa Station is directly south of Keizer Station, a finished retail store development not owned by or affiliated with the tribal development.

In 2006 the 6 member Board of Directors of Chemawa Station, LLC consisted of Dee Pigsley, Lillie Butler, Loraine Butler, as well as three representatives from the Grand Ronde tribe, Angie Blackwell, Jan Riebach, and Jack Griffen, Jr.