Berth 4 Redevelopment

History 

Built in 1927, with additions in 1945 and 1951, the Port's Berth 4 was first home to the Continental Grain Terminal for 60 years until 1989 when the facility shut down. 

Throughout the facility's 97-year life span, it received many additions, housed two businesses, provided hundreds of hard-working individuals with employment and generated significant economic activity for the region.

< Watch the Port's short documentary, Reberth: Life and Legacy of a Historic Grain Terminal, that was created in part of the Port's historic preservation efforts of the facility. 

Redevelopment & Demolition

In 2014, the Port began redeveloping the site with the removal of the old timber decking, followed by the removal of over 1,000 creosote-treated pilings in 2015.

In 2016, the Port finished construction of seven new dolphins in its place, used to tie up vessels while they wait to be loaded or unloaded.

In 2017, the Port conducted a full site hazard assessment and estimate for upland demolition of the silos and adjacent facilities.

In 2022, the Port was granted the final permits to demolish the grain complex. Demolition began in July 2023 and concluded in February 2024. A major part of the facility's demolition was recycling old material from the facility. Material recycled consisted of: 

  • 1,607 tons of steel
  • 45,000 cubic yards of concrete crushed on-site
    • 14,000 was reused to refill the silo and workhouse basements
    • 7,000 was stored at the Port for future reuse
    • 10,500 was used to level the site post demolition

The Future

What's next for Berth 4 is to be determined. The Port's Business Development Team is working on securing a new industry/tenant that will generate a positive and prosperous future at Berth 4.

Demolition Photos

Demolition, October 2023
Demolition, October 2023
Demolition, October 2023
Berth 4 Demolition
Berth 4 Demolition
Berth 4 Demolition
Berth 4 Demolition
Berth 4 Demolition
Berth 4 Demolition
Demolition, November 2023
Demolition, November 2023
Demolition, November 2023

Historic Preservation

The Berth 4 Grain Complex was designated a historic property and required mitigation prior to demolition. Because of this historic significance, the Port secured numerous permits relative to the project. Of those permits included a US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Section 408 permit, which involved collaborating with the USACE and the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) to address Section 106 Cultural Resources provisions under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA) to properly document the historical use and nature of the old grain complex. As a result of these consultations, the Port has been documenting the grain complex’s history and relevance to the Port of Longview and Cowlitz County.

In coordination with the USACE and DAHP, the Port developed a short list of historic preservation deliverables to be completed. Of those includes: