Wonderworks Children’s Museum officially owns its building.  Closing documents have been signed to transfer title of the building at 206 Madison in The Dalles from the Port of The Dalles to Wonderworks.  The Port purchased the property about six years ago and leased it to Wonderworks as the nonprofit worked to raise money for improvements and purchase.   The economic downturn slowed Wonderworks’ efforts, resulting in a six-year process rather than the five years originally planned.  Major grant funders raised their expectations for local matches, meaning the Wonderworks had to work longer and harder to qualify for funding.  The Port credited a portion of the lease payments toward loan capital as a means of making grant requests more attractive to funders.  The purchase money is now back in Port coffers to be used for other economic development-related efforts.