The fair board of directors are looking at ways to involve the private sector in redeveloping the Washington County Fair Complex and hope to draft a proposal for public comment within two or three months.
The fair has been searching for ways to increase year-round revenue. The board endorsed a $40-million bond measure that would have paid for construction of two exhibit halls totaling nearly 140,000 sf and a 5,500-seat amphitheater, but the measure failed.
The board last week approved the demolition of two pre-1975 buildings, including a wood concession stand called Restaurant Row. A 4,800-sf arts and crafts building will also be demolished, officials say.
Fair staff have also proposed increasing rents on buildings used throughout the year, the first increase since 1999. Rents for the 24,000-sf main exhibit hall would go from three cents to four cents psf, increasing the cost to $200 a day.
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