Since its inception in 1933, the Port of Hood River has worked to support countywide economic goals, working to bolster economic growth and stability throughout the region. By investing in, and developing real estate the Port safeguards commercial and industrial rental options that in turn become havens for entrepreneurs and new businesses. The Big 7 building, located in downtown Hood River, is a testament to the Port’s careful and forward-thinking planning, currently bustling with start-ups and artistic businesses.

Originally the home of the Hood River Apple Cider Company, the Big 7 building was built in 1915, as HR Apple Cider looked to expand their burgeoning business. Located on Wasco in the industrial portion of downtown Hood River, the Big 7 joined a neighborhood of warehouses focused on the storage, warehousing, and transportation of fruit grown in the valley. However, the company dealt with numerous fires in the early 1900s that caused financial hardship and continuous rebuilding. By 1940, the building had been sold to the Apple Growers Association (now known as Diamond Fruit), adding the storage capacity of 165,000 boxes of fruit for the reported price of $72,500. By the 1980s, the canneries and warehouse complex for Diamond Fruit had grown to 21 acres in downtown Hood River.

In 1984, the Port of Hood River bought the 21-acre complex, as Diamond relocated its warehousing to the mid-valley. The Port paid $800,000 for the complex, which included the Waucoma Center, Big 7 building, and Graf Building. Focused on renovating these warehouse spaces into usable commercial real estate, the Port of Hood River worked alongside the City of Hood River to form the Urban Renewal District, which would encompass 21 acres. While the renovations of the Wasco Building and Columbia Building were quick to entice new businesses, the Big 7 Building remained vacant, needing extensive repairs and renovations. In the 1990s, the Port began to sell pieces of the Diamond Fruit Complex, having fulfilled their purpose of renovating the industrial properties.

The Port saw potential in the historic building, and by 1998, it was one of two buildings the Port kept: the rest of the Diamond Fruit Complex was sold into the private sector, a demonstration of the Port’s intention to set up local businesses for a successful future. As the century turned, the Port sold the Columbia Building, leaving the Big 7 to be the last structure from their 1984 purchase. Throughout the 1990s, the Big 7 had a few tenants but with the rise and fall of the economy, the Big 7 building had space to lease heading into the 2000s and the Port began talks with the Columbia Gorge Community College realizing the building would make the perfect satellite campus for The Dalles based school.

Remodeling the 5,000 square feet would cost the Port an estimated $300,000 and once again, Port Commissioners began searching for grants and opportunities to lower the cost to their constituents. The Port secured $200,000 in grants from the U.S. Department of Education for computer and software installation and in the end, the Port paid only $80,000 of the renovation costs, valuing the important contribution the college campus would have to the community. In September of 2004, the Hood River Campus of CGCC opened for the fall semester, with two classrooms, basic skills training center and a state-of-the-art technology center. The Big 7 campus would see up to 300 students daily on the top floor of the historic structure.

The growth at Big 7 tells the story of the growth of the Hood River Valley, and in the next 20 years, the Big 7 would welcome important local companies such as Gorge Networks and Insitu, two companies that played important roles in the growth of the local economy. As the demand for commercial space grew, so did the need for repairs to the historical structure. As businesses outgrew their space at the Big 7 building, the Port continued to weigh the cost of maintenance versus the benefit to their constituents. In 2020, the Port added a new roof to the building and began discussions about the benefit of selling the structure. With tenants growing out of the space, and economic slowing from the pandemic, the Big 7 wasn’t living up to its tenancy opportunity heading into 2024. Port Commissioners received monthly updates on the status and tenant numbers, continuing to do small improvements such as replacing windows, while debating if the money from a sale would benefit the community more than continuing to safeguard the commercial space it provided.

The Big 7 had defeated the odds time and time again, and it once again rose to the economic occasion. By the end of 2024, interest in leasing space had grown, and the Big 7 was a beacon for small artistic businesses and local manufacturing. Today, Big 7 is home to The Clay Commons, Industrial Street Studios, Hood River Heritage Council, Northshore Watersports Inc, Wolf Ceramics, Blue Mountain Networks, and most recently, Alpine Sea Company. The Big 7 continues to be an important commercial space the Port provides for the community. The Port works to be flexible with tenants, changing floorplans and continuing upgrades to make each space work for the individual needs of the business. And while at times, the Port questioned the fiscal wisdom in keeping the Big 7, their ultimate decision to hold onto the building proved to have big impacts on the local economy. Local entrepreneur Rountree Rouse has seen the impact the Port has had firsthand, “We couldn’t fathom the renovation and revitalization the Port had planned for that area…Truly amazing vision and renovation of that area and the waterfront by the Port and City in the last almost 40 years.” The Big 7 continues to be a testament to the vision and planning of Port Commissioners for the downtown commercial area of Hood River. Without the Port’s involvement, stewardship and local partnerships, many small businesses would not have the opportunity to succeed. Continuing that legacy, Port Commissioners are considering one more renovation for the Big 7; bringing up the last remaining weak section of the building up to current standards to finish out its leasing potential and reach its peak value opportunity for the Port. The Port is excited to watch how the Big 7 will continue to make a big impact on the economy and growth of Hood River.

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