The Port of Hood River is involved in the closing of a sale of a number of Waterfront properties, with a pair having wrapped up and a third coming soon.  Port Executive Director Michael McElwee says sales have closed on the first phase of the former Expo Center property, effectively the parking lot west of the building, and land at the intersection of Second and Riverside that will be a new home for farm equipment retailer Sheppard’s.  He adds next up is the second phase of the Expo Center property sale, probably within three weeks.  McElwee adds work continues to prepare the Lower Hanel Mill site for development, with most of the material from the log pond having been stockpiled and likely will be available to be taken away as clean fill at some point in the next couple of months, and then utility installation will begin.