Hillsboro Hopes Third Time's the Charm as it Tries Again to Buy Hank's Thiftway

Hillsboro is making a third attempt to purchase the former Hank's Thriftway property on Southeast Baseline Street. The City Council has been asked to vote in December to approve the purchase of the site.

The city says the former supermarket site could be "the catalyst for further development downtown" as well as a connection between the city's health and education district with the historic downtown.

Terms of the $4.8 million purchase offer afford City staff 60 days to conduct environmental and property inspections and analysis, and to receive final approval from the Hillsboro City Council. The Hillsboro City Council has previously directed staff to engage in negotiations with the owners of the Hank’s property.

"We are committed to Downtown Hillsboro’s continued revitalization, and we will continue to seek opportunities to work with our partners to make the neighborhood even better for residents and existing businesses," said Hillsboro Mayor Jerry Willey.

The city says that potential development strategies for the site include housing, education, health care, and commercial activity. Health and Education District partners Tuality Healthcare and Pacific University, as well as the Hillsboro School District, will be engaged in the planning.

“The proximity of the Hank’s site to the Health and Education District makes it essential that the property be developed in a way that supports our efforts to create an exceptional environment for healthcare and learning,” said Tuality Healthcare President and CEO Manny Berman.

Tuality Healthcare, an OHSU Partner, is a not-for-profit, independent, community-governed healthcare system established in 1918 on the Hank’s property in what is now a parking lot.

Downtown Hillsboro is home to approximately 12,000 employees and 1,100 businesses, with a forecast of 3.2 percent annual job growth over the next 20 years throughout the City of Hillsboro. Currently, Downtown Hillsboro has more than 3,000 housing units within the 1,100-acre urban renewal boundary.

Photo courtesy City of Hillsboro