Anybody want to buy a jail?

Multnomah County leaders are looking for someone to take one off their hands, and prospective buyers have three days to make a case about why they should get it.

The county's request for interest in Wapato Jail – the latest development in the years-long search for ways to unload the never-used 168,420-square-foot facility – went up May 2 and closes at 2 p.m. Wednesday.

Here’s what you need to know if you’re interested in buying:

How much would it cost to buy?

Well, that all depends. The jail cost $58.4 million to build, and the county puts in more than $300,000 per year to maintain the vacant building. The most recent property assessments estimate a fair price for the property today is $40.3 million.

Where is the jail?

It's at 14355 N. Bybee Lake Ct., in a St. Johns industrial zone known as Rivergate Industrial Park.

Why does Multnomah County have a big, never-used jail, anyway?

Taxpayers approved a bond measure to build the 525-bed jail back in 1996, but county leaders never set aside money to open and operate it. Soon after, crime began dropping, and Multnomah County no longer needed the extra beds. The building has sat empty ever since.

Why didn't the county sell the land earlier?

It became clear years ago that Wapato was unlikely ever to be used as a jail, but restrictions tied to the bond forbade the county from using the jail for anything but law enforcement, and prevented the county from profiting off other groups that occasionally made use of the building. Multiple TV, commercial and movie crews have filmed at Wapato, but they paid only the cost of running the building while they were on-site.

Earlier this year, Oregon legislators passed House Bill 2480, which removes some restrictions on Wapato's use. But other obstacles remain.

The county and state issued tax-exempt bonds to pay for the jail’s construction, and could face stiff penalties for selling the building before the bonds are paid off. The county bonds won’t be paid off until October 2016, while the state bonds are expected to sunset in November 2029.

That doesn’t mean the county can’t act for another 15 years, though. According to the May 2 solicitation for proposals, the county “is prepared” to convert its bonds to taxable status if a suitable buyer or leaser comes forth before the bonds are paid off.

What would I get for my money?

You get a 168,420-square-foot building on 18 acres of land. The property abuts the Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area and surrounded on other sides by industry. Inside, bunks line the walls, some with pillows still in their plastic wrapping. There’s a large industrial kitchen, and a barbed wire fence around the perimeter. The never-used facility would be a prime filming location for popular prison show, “Orange is the New Black.”

Who are my competitors?

The county hasn’t released details about who has expressed interest since the request for information went out. Past users of the jail (the county is able to rent it out, as long as it doesn’t make money off the deal) have included film and television crews and law enforcement groups using the building for training.

Can I tour the jail?

You may have missed your chance. The county hosted two tours, on May 12 and 22. No more are scheduled before June 4.

How can I find out more?

The county's surplus properties page includes much of the information you need to draft your plan for Wapato. If you need more information, email the folks in charge of the RFI.

--Kelly House