REEDSPORT — If developer Jerry Marks’ dream becomes reality the former 330-acre International Paper mill site in Gardiner will once again be a bustling place.

Marks is one half of the J&M Investment Properties Inc. partnership that is attempting to purchase the property. Marks, who lives in Portland but grew up in Reedsport, is partnering with Coos Bay resident Mike Maguire in the venture.

The two say their plans for a development would include condominiums and houses. But, both are quick to say that nothing is final — yet.

“We still have a lot of work ahead of us,” Marks said.

If the sale goes as planned, both partners want to have residences in the development. Marks and Maguire have known each other since they were fraternity brothers at Oregon State University in the 1960s.

The sales contract between International Paper and J&M isn’t complete. There are land-use issues to be resolved. Zoning changes and the Douglas County Planning Commission’s approval are needed before any work can start.

The paper mill closed in 1999 and J&M has been eying it for about three years. The purchase includes the on-site industrial wastewater treatment plant.

“It just looked like a great opportunity,” Maguire said.

As for a look at specific plans, there’s not much available.

 “There are an infinite number of things we can do with the site, but we are not 100-percent sure (what will be done),” Marks said, adding he didn’t want to make anything public in case something changes in the future.

At a recent Gardiner Sanitary District meeting, Maguire said the development could be a mix of residential, industrial and commercial. He said when the development is finished, it most likely would have more housing in it than what is in Gardiner now.

Maguire said informational meetings will keep the public updated on the progress of the development.

On Aug. 22, the sanitary district voted to sign a three-way contract with J&M and International Paper addressing the purchase, upgrade and operation of the on-site treatment facility.

The agreement said that J&M will buy the treatment plant site from I.P. and upgrade it to meet the needs of current Gardiner residents and future development. Eventually, the district would buy the plant from J&M at a cost of no more than $3 million.

I.P. site manager Norb Wondra said he is pleased to see the property could be sold and hopes a contract could be finished by the end of October.

“We’re glad to see it go to local interests — to someone who will do something good for the community,” Wondra said.