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Port of Longview commissioners agreed this week to pay consultants up to $650,000 to create a business development plan for Barlow Point, moving the port a step closer to determining the fate of the 275-acre industrial property.

The port purchased the property in 2010 for $2.45 million with the intent of luring new bulk-cargo facilities to area.

KPFF Consulting Engineers will conduct due diligence investigations, draw up potential cost estimates, seek public comment and create conceptual plans for the property.

The consultants also will evaluate the need to build or relocate roads, railroad tracks, docks and utilities. It also will consider how the port should market the property.

The planning stages should be complete by the end of 2015, port staff said. Future phases of the developing will include a state environmental review, infrastructure design and construction.

In June, the port selected KPFF out of three contenders competing for the contract to develop the business park plan.