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Jefferson County is looking for a developer to buy a keystone property along U.S. 97 in Madras.

Local government officials see the 38,042-square-foot site as a gateway to downtown Madras. The site at 813 U.S. 97 draws at least 15,000 vehicle trips a day, Jefferson County stated in a news release.

Jefferson County issued a request for interest in partnership with the city of Madras and the Madras Redevelopment Commission. The county recently acquired the parcel from the Oregon Department of Transportation. ODOT declared the property surplus after completing a highway realignment project.

Government leaders are seeking a project that will benefit downtown Madras and the local economy, according to the news release. The county stated that it is open to a broad range of uses, including a mixed-use development, a jobs-generating business, retail, office/commercial and incorporation of adjoining sites.

The county stated that it prefers an outright purchase of the parcel, but may consider other deal structures.

The site is essentially flat and has a 1,980-square-foot single-story building that was built during the 1990s.

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