About Hood River County, OR

Will there be a Warm Springs Casino in Cascade Locks in Hood River County? Learn more about where things are at with this proposal at www.gorgecasinoeis.com You can also read the Environmental Impact Statement at the Skamania County Chamber of Commerce located at 167 NW Second St. in Stevenson, WA.

Here's a brief overview of what is being proposed. The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon (Tribe) have proposed to develop a resort and casino, with associated transportation system improvements, in the City of Cascade Locks, Hood River County, Oregon.

The eventual size and scope of the facilities may be modified, however the Tribe's current proposal is for a $389 million, 603,000 square foot riverfront destination resort and casino on 60 acres. Initial plans include a 90,000-square-foot gaming casino, 241-room hotel, 26,000 square foot meeting and convention facility, spa and fitness center, retail shops, cultural and interpretive center, daycare facility, and a variety of dining options. Parking would be provided for 3,700 vehicles, including a multi-tiered parking garage and two surface lots.

There will be five public hearings conducted by the BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs) during the
comment period. This is your opportunity to voice your opinion about the
proposal. The first hearing took place this week in Warm Springs, Oregon.
Here is the schedule for the remaining public hearings:

Monday March 10, 2008
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Port of Cascade Locks Gorge Pavilion, Marine Park
355 Wa-Na-Pa Street
Cascade Locks, Oregon

Wednesday March 12, 2008
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Rock Creek Center
710 SW Rock Creek Drive
Stevenson, Washington

Thursday March 13, 2008
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Doubletree Hotel, Lloyd Center
1000 NE Multnomah
Portland, Oregon

Monday March 17, 2008
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Hood River Middle School Auditorium
1602 May Street
Hood River, Oregon

I have noticed these new homes going up in Hood River this past winter. They are right off of 13th St. as you head up the hill towards the Hospital. They recently came on the RMLS and I have learned a little more about this project. Pear Tree Lane Homes claims to be Hood River's newest green community. These listings recently came on our RMLS and can be viewed at www.rmls.com # 8028802- $415,000 #8028749-$420,000 #8028781-$435,000 & 8028737-$435,000 These homes are between 1637-1731 sq. ft.

Mountain View Ranch is an exclusive housing development on the Westside of Hood River about 2 miles from town. This subdevelopment went in about 3 years ago. There were a couple 5 acre parcels and several 2+ acre parcels. One 2.2 acre parcel is still available and currently on the market for $399,000 RMLS # 7080130 http://www.rmls.com/ There are views of both Mt. Hood & Mt. Adams in this neighborhood of high end homes with CCR's and HOA. The minimum home size is 2500 sq. ft. and must meet approval from the architectural review committee. The domestic water is available from Ice Fountain Water District. A septic system will be required for waste water, and there is farmers irrigation. I took these pictures today of some of the homes that have gone in recently and are currently under construction in Mountain View Ranch.

Here are the Hood River County sales statistics for Feb 2008 from the RMLS.

Cascade Locks- no sales

Hood River-City- 5 single family home sales- $287,000, $350,000, 2 @ $355,000, $503,165, 1 townhouse-$285,000

Hood River-Westside- no sales

Hood River-Eastside- 1 single family home $327,000

Odell- 3 single family home sales- $206,000, $240,000, $995,000

Parkdale- no sales

12 total sales for February 2008

Odell is a small town located about 6 miles south of Hood River in Hood River County. The community of Odell was named after William Odell, who settled nearby around 1861, and who's son, Milton D., was the first white child born in the valley in 1863. William was a native of Tennessee.

The post office was first opened in June 1910. At that time the town was called Newtown. This was not because of Hood Rivers famous apples but because it was a new town and the new settlement sprang up at the railroad station about 3/4 of a mile sotheast of the old crossroads. The name was changed to Odell in March 1911.

Today, Diamond Fruit Growers, Inc. and Duckwall-Pooley Fruit Company plants make Odell the Hood River Valley's largest fruit-packing and storing center.

Below are an early photo of Odell and some of Odell today.