The Columbia River Gorge is in the grips of winter, but projects on the Port of Hood River waterfront area continue on.  Port Executive Director Michael McElwee says the first construction on the former Expo Center property in the waterfront area is about to take place, commencing the first of the year.  In addition, McElwee says Key Development has received land use approvals for a 60-thousand square foot building on another portion of the Expo Center property, and closing on that property should occur in March.  McElwee also said the sale of property on Riverside and Second Street to Sheppard’s for a new location at the entry to the Waterfront should close in the next two to three weeks.