St. John- With a signed Purchase and Sale agreement and the demolition of the former St. John Inn Café, St. John, Washington is one step closer to a new medical clinic in the heart of its downtown. 

In mid-March, the Port of Whitman County and Whitman Hospital and Medical Clinics (WHMC) signed a Purchase and Sale Agreement to ratify Whitman Hospital & Medical Clinic’s (WHMC) intentions to purchase the property for future development. The agreement and completed demolition mark a new phase for the project as it moves out of the planning stages. 

“The Port’s vision is to make Whitman County a great place to live and a better place to work,” Commission President Karl Webber said. “We are proud to partner with WHMC to clean up legacy contamination, redevelop underused property, and involve the community in the future of the site.” 

The project began in June 2024, when WHMC requested the Port buy and clean up the property on the condition that WHMC lease or purchase the site once that cleanup finished. The Port agreed and purchased the property in late 2024. WHMC chose to pursue the project as the state of the current medical building in St. John is unsustainable with no option for remodel or expansion. The new clinic will strengthen access to essential healthcare services in St. John and the surrounding communities. By combining resources, expertise, and shared commitment to local growth, the Port and WHMC are taking an important step toward improving quality of life and supporting long-term economic development in Whitman County. The collaboration between the Port and the hospital district reflects a unified vision to ensure residents of St. John have safe and efficient access to primary care services while fostering a healthier, more resilient community.

“As a public district hospital, we are proudly here to support the communities we serve with excellent services and care,” WHMC CEO Bill Bryant said. “This collaboration validates our ongoing commitment to providing the best healthcare possible. This project has been in motion for several years, and I am honored to lead WHMC in carrying out the strategic goals and objectives established by our Board of Commissioners.”

The St. John community has been supportive of the project particularly the expanded health care offerings the clinic will provide. 

“We are thrilled to soon have an upgraded medical facility in town,” Mayor Mike Webb said. “This project benefits not only St. John but also the surrounding communities.”

Before construction of the clinic can begin, the Port must conduct clean up on the property. Demolition began on the café building on March 24 and concluded March 31. With demolition complete, environmental cleanup will begin. The cleanup will address contamination found during the Phase 1 and Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessments. Cleanup will include excavation of areas with petroleum contaminants of concern. The excavated areas will be backfilled with uncontaminated soil. The cleanup work is funded by a $500,000 Environmental Protection Agency Cleanup Grant.

“The Port is excited for cleanup to commence,” said Kara Riebold, the Port’s Executive Director. “It’s gratifying to see WHMC’s vision for a new clinic come one step closer to fruition. The community’s encouragement and support contribute to the excitement surrounding this project.” 

###

About Brownfields

EPA Cleanup Grants fund cleanup of environmental contamination at brownfield sites. A brownfield site is a formerly used piece of property that may be contaminated with hazardous materials, pollutants, or other contaminants. Common contaminants include lead, petroleum, asbestos, PAHs, and other metals. 

About the Port of Whitman County

The Port of Whitman County is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all citizens of Whitman County through industrial real estate development, preservation of multi-modal transportation, facilitation of economic development and provision of on-water recreational opportunities. For more information about Port properties and ongoing projects, visit the Port website www.portwhitman.com.

About Whitman Hospital and Medical Clinics

WHMC is a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital (CAH) with four primary care clinics and two specialty clinics, WHMC serves rural communities in 1,200 square miles of Whitman County. Governed by five elected Commissioners, towns within the district include Colfax, Endicott, LaCrosse, St. John, Steptoe, Hooper and Hay.