July 02, 2004
Movement Towards Inner SE Community Center Stalls
City Deposits Funds Into Escrow, But Asks For Another Extension
Way back on May 21, an item was posted to News4Neighbors warning that the authorized agreement between the City of Portland and the Portland Public Schools Real Estate Trust to select one of two options for purchasing land at the Washington-Monroe site had not yet been finalized. At that time, the deadline for such a decision was May 31.
After seeing that item, we had begun to do some research into what was happening, but after receiving no responses to initial inquiries, we simply forgot about the entire matter. This week however brought a new development, which gave local papers a chance to bring us all up to speed.
As reported today in The Oregonian, the City this week sent the Trust a check for $100,000 but asked for another extension so it can decide which parcel to purchase -- and just how to pay for it:
Julia Brim-Edwards, co-chairwoman of the school board, said the district is glad to have the $100,000 as a token of the city's good faith, but the school board is anxious to complete the deal. She said plans for the other portion of the site are on hold until the district knows how much land is left over for housing. The city has asked for a fourth extension, until Aug. 1, to complete the deal. Brim-Edwards said she would consult with board members on that request.
That article also gives some of the background on the parcels under consideration, as does today's Portland Tribune story on the matter:
If the city buys a smaller, 3.8-acre parcel of the land for the future community center, the school district could sell or lease the contiguous remaining parcel to a housing developer. The developer could build condominiums or apartments, possibly in the former Washington High School building that the district has used for administrators.
But if the city decides to buy a larger, 4.5-acre parcel of land for the center, the remaining land is split into two small parcels, including one piece containing the former high school. Those pieces become much less attractive to housing developers.
According to the Tribune, a meeting of the relevant parties is scheduled for next week. For a look at what the neighborhood is seeking, see today's News4Neighbors post on this week's "baby step" towards the long-promised community center.