Category: Property Sale

Property Sale

SE 82nd Ave Food Cart Pod’s Construction Uncertain After Property Listed for Sale

The owners of two lots along 82nd Avenue at SE Ash Street have their property listed for lease or sale after years of trying to make a food cart pod project pencil out in that location. B&U Properties LLC acquired 218 and 322 SE 82nd Avenue in 2021, planning to transform the combined property into an active community hub, but required improvements to the sidewalk along the site’s 360 linear feet of frontage, and other development expenses caused the restaurant owner team to focus their immediate efforts on a SE Hawthorne Boulevard project. Now, with few cart owners showing interest in the area and construction estimates rising, the developers are looking for other options for the Montavilla site.

Aerial view of a neighborhood with labeled residential lots and streets, highlighting empty properties bordered in blue.
Overhead image from Portland Maps with both lots outlined

Uday Seelam and his partner Ben Bui have extensive restaurant experience, which they have used to create a popular food cart pod. They had hoped to build several locations, but headwinds in securing funding and shifts in dining patterns in Portland have caused the team to adjust their plans. Seelam explained that of the 15 cart owners who wanted to view the proposed location for their second food cart pod, no vendors committed to the space, and only one would reconsider at a future date.

A street view showing a crosswalk with tactile paving, nearby sidewalk, a billboard on a pole, and a green space enclosed by a fence. Decorative elements and buildings are visible in the background under a clear blue sky.

Seelam remarked that contractor estimates rose to $1.5 million for the SE 82nd Avenue food cart pod project. This is in addition to the cost of the property and expenses related to clearing the old Recreational Vehicle lot’s sales office building that was once on the property. They had planned to construct the primary entrance on SE Ash Street and create a covered seating area, restrooms, and other amenities. Since first designing the layout, they had already agreed to reduce the project’s size for more parking and a lower overall price tag. However, without even a few vendors committed to the space, any level of continued investment would be risky. Instead, they hope another group will invest in the space. They would consider a lease, as they have not given up on the area altogether and could see reviving the project if conditions change. Still, Seelam said that if a buyer can pay the $1.6 million asking price for the combined lots, they would need to “cut their losses” and let another group try to create something. He noted that affordable housing would be a useful addition to the neighborhood at that site.

An empty, abandoned parking lot with cracked pavement, surrounded by a chain-link fence, overgrown plants, and visible debris. A billboard is visible in the background.
Parking lot view looking north to fenced section of property

Area residents have other food cart options within walking distance from this location. The Yard at Montavilla is 1,300 feet north os SE Ash Street, across from Vestal School at 8220 NE Davis Street. Additionally, Montavilla’s Stark Street business corridor, just a block away from the vacant lots, offers many dining destinations and provides area residents with a variety of options. However, the change in direction for this project means the underutilized lots will remain mostly dormant for years. A portion of the paved land serves as overflow parking for customers visiting the shops at the adjacent “Annex” building, but construction fencing lines a substantial portion of the property. Groups interested in leasing or buying the land should contact Capacity Commercial Group for more information.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Greg Beddor – SEO Specialist, an Oregon based digital marketing consultancy. The company markets customer’s websites and provide SEO services to grow their business. We thank them for their support.

Government, Property Sale

Housing Authority Selling Former Community Living and Support Home

Home Forward, Portland’s housing authority, is selling a 3,880-square-foot group home in Montavilla as it anticipates a $35 million budget shortfall in 2026. The 1999-built facility at 9350 SE Taylor Street last served as a resident support home for individuals with developmental disabilities operated by Dungarvin Oregon.

The property, bordered by the Interstate 205 Multi-use-path on two sides, is currently secured with plywood “due to prior break-ins while vacant,” according to a real estate flyer. A modest commercial parking lot provides three parking stalls in front of the single-story building and one driveway leading to the eastern entrance. A gated back courtyard faces south and provides separation between two dormitory wings, each with a bathroom at the end. The most recent configuration of the space included five bedrooms, along with laundry, kitchen, office, and storage spaces. The north end of the building features an equally sized “family room” and “living room” flanking the large kitchen, which features residential-style appliances.

Exterior view of a single-story group home with plywood boarding on the windows, situated on a grassy lot with a small shed beside it.
Gated back courtyard

A buyer could reconfigure the space and update the dated quarter-century-old interior in many ways, but the site’s residential zoning limits it to single-family, single-room occupancy housing, or similar group home uses. A new owner could also redevelop the large 16,460-square-foot lot into townhouses or other middle housing to increase density. Its location next to the pedestrian I-205 crossing bridge leading to the MAX light rail station and proximity to the Multi-Use-Path make it a good candidate for Transit-oriented Development.

Aerial view of the property at 9350 SE Taylor Street, outlined in blue, showing surrounding neighborhoods and the adjacent Interstate 205.
Image of 9350 SE Taylor St from Portland Maps

Home Forward—renamed from Housing Authority of Portland in May 2011—is an independent Public Corporation that contracts with the federal government to administer housing programs. It owns around 110 properties. In past years, it has worked with partner groups to build affordable housing. This land, if fully redeveloped, would likely not be an impactful source of affordable housing for the organization that oversees 6,678 units. However, with an asking price of $499,999, selling it will not generate a significant sum to stave off operational budget shortfalls at the nonprofit. In a different financial landscape, Home Forward could have reinvested in this property for a similar group home use or other affordable housing option. The future buyer of this unique property will have an opportunity to reshape this residential block abutting the I-205 border of the neighborhood.

Article and Photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Otter Wax, a neighborhood producer of small-batch specialty goods handcrafted in Portland. Using only natural ingredients, they make modern care products that are steeped in tradition. We thank them for their support.

New Business, Property Sale, Renovation

Tool Building Grows NE Glisan Main Street

Painters recently covered the former O’Neills Tools & Equipment building at 7131 NE Glisan Street with a fresh coat of white paint as the new owners begin transforming the large corner building into a multi-tenant retail destination serving the community. The formerly barred and gated property now presents board-covered openings, as crews prepare it for storefront glazing, which will accommodate six to eight individual shops and a potential eatery.

Architectural rendering of the transformed former O'Neills Tools & Equipment building, featuring a white exterior and board-covered openings, designed for multiple retail spaces and potential eateries.
NE Glisan Ave frontage of 7131 NE Glisan St, rendering courtesy EAO

Bill Neburka, Anthony Kell, and Michael Quinn formed the “BAM Collective” to shepherd this project from development through tenancy, with a long-term outlook centered on generational ownership and community investment. Project architect Bill Neburka owns Evident Architecture Office (EAO) located in a commercial building two blocks east at 7323 NE Glisan Street, and the other partners similarly invested in area properties. Quinn is the primary owner of Sparrow Salon’s building at 7243 NE Glisan Street. Anthony Kell explained that the group wants to preserve the charm of NE Glisan Street while rebuilding a commercial corridor for local Portlanders. “Our goal is to offer retail that will support the community and the neighborhood, making sure it [contains shops] that people can walk to and would be looking for. We’ll hopefully be homogeneous with the area. We’re not tearing it down and making this new ugly retail plus residential building. We’re going to be fairly picky about who we put in there and make sure that it is something that will support the community, so they don’t have to walk all the way over to Stark Street.”

A floor plan diagram for the transformation of a building into a multi-tenant retail space, detailing various suites and exterior work areas.
Floor plan courtesy Evident Architecture Office (EAO)

Kell noted that business owners are already investing in restaurants, bars, and shops along the street, and he hopes that they will add to that momentum with space for more independent businesses. “It’s going to be micro-tenanting, smaller spaces for retail, and then possibly a wine bar and or restaurant,” said Kell. The remodeled building will offer spaces with exterior entrances on NE Glisan Street or NE 72nd Avenue, as well as some units that visitors can access from a shared central hallway. The designers have completed the subdivision plans; however, future business operators can work with the team to explore options. “We have a pretty good plan [for the layout], but there will be the ability for somebody to take two spaces or split one in half. We’ve got to demise in a way that is flexible for potential tenants,” explained Kell. The corner location adds a variety of arrangement options, including frontages on the quieter side of the structure. “There will be an entrance toward the back. That’s where the restaurant would most likely be, rear-accessed behind the building, so it’s kind of tucked away,” Kell said.

Architectural rendering of the transformed O'Neills Tools & Equipment building, featuring a modern facade with large windows, trees in front, and a pedestrian walking by.
NE 72nd Ave frontage of 7131 NE Glisan St showing restaurant, rendering courtesy EAO

Anthony Kell explained that the September code amendment recommendations, approved unanimously by the Portland City Council, could help this project move forward faster. The vote temporarily suspends specific rules that apply to projects that add to or alter existing development. The four changes reduce the need to add particular street improvements, such as sidewalks, curb ramps, and street trees, when the project exceeds a specific dollar amount. It also removes the requirement for a seismic evaluation report. The temporary exemptions will only apply to building permits that are currently in the permit or inspection process. This group of updates, effective starting October 24th, is a short-term construction stimulus package designed to expedite the completion of existing projects. Kell feels that this will help them create a better rehabilitation of the building without worrying about cutting costs to avoid triggering those improvement requirements that could halt the project due to excessive expenses.

Street view of a corner building labeled 'O'Neills Tools & Equipment' with graffiti on the walls, a stop sign, and utility poles nearby.
O’Neills Tools & Equipment building pre-sale, January 2025

The BAM Collective team expects they are six months away from opening the space for tenants to move into what they have tentatively named the “Tool Building,” in reference to O’Neill’s Tools’ long-standing tenancy there. People may see a short-term renter using the space until construction picks up. Kell explained that the group is interested in keeping the building in their family and ensuring it is first a community asset, rather than a personal investment tool. “We’re kind of old school Portlanders that want to do things the way that they used to be done. People coming in that are creatives and makers.” The building’s new owners anticipate the project will take shape in 2026, and the developers are eager to find the right tenants soon.

Rendering of a newly renovated building featuring storefronts with large windows, two individuals walking and standing outside, and a tree in the foreground.
Rendering of NE Glisan frontage of 7131 NE Glisan St showing shared entry to center hallway, rendering courtesy EAO
Architectural rendering of a courtyard with a tree and a person standing in front of a large opening leading into an interior space, showcasing wooden tables and pendant lighting.
Interior concept rendering of a multi-tenant retail space featuring wooden tables, hanging lights, and an open layout with shelves along the walls.
Interior view of a brightly lit space featuring wooden furniture and shelves, designed for a retail or dining environment.

Renderings courtesy BAM Collective and Evident Architecture Office (EAO)

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

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Construction, Property Sale

Lot Division and Renovation on NE 72nd Ave

As renovation crews make significant progress on the 1927-era single-family home at 1006 NE 72nd Avenue, the new owners look to split the underlying lots at its historic demarcation point. The modest house sits approximately two feet from the proposed property line, necessitating an exception that is currently under consideration by Portland Permitting & Development. If approved, the existing home would occupy a 25-foot-wide parcel, leaving a 37-foot by 100-foot property to the north for future sale and development.

Site plan showing the layout of a property at 1006 NE 72nd Avenue, including property lines, measurements, and notes on vegetation and drainage.
Site map from LU 25-042546 application for setback requirement adjustment to split the lot

Kimco Properties purchased the 894-square-foot house in March and began making improvements. Contractors replaced the sewer line and installed a bathroom in the basement. That update, along with other work in the main living area, created three total bathrooms where the original home had just one. The nearly century-old structure — with a similar width to modern infill homes — now stands renewed with new steps on the way and a back deck.

Front view of a single-story house with a wooden door and steps, surrounded by tall trees and an undeveloped yard.

Two lots from the original Brainard subdivision constitute the NE 72nd Avenue site, and Kimco Properties sought to utilize a Lot Confirmation (PR 25-053270 LC) to separate the underlying parcels. A lot confirmation verifies one or more lots previously combined by past owners for tax purposes, and the process can reestablish a historic lot line. Developers often see it as a more straightforward process for division compared to using the property line adjustment (PLA) process. However, the city requires a lot confirmation review to ensure any existing development meets city standards after the separation of the parcels. In this case, the reestablished lot line was just over two feet from the house’s exterior wall and right at the roof’s overhang. City code specifies that the minimum distance of a wall from a new property line should be five feet, and three feet for an eave, in this zone. The requirement provides a ten-foot distance between houses. Exceptions to this rule are not uncommon as long as they meet established standards, and new development on the adjacent lot can mitigate the impact of placing the lot line so close to the original building’s edge.

A two-story house with a light-colored exterior and a staircase leading to the front door, surrounded by trees and a cleared yard with construction materials.

After crews complete the renovations at 1006 NE 72nd Avenue, the property is expected to return to the real estate market for sale. If City staff approve LU 25-042546 AD, then the new property could sell to a housing developer, or Kimco Properties could build on it in the future. This company is a frequent creator of housing in the neighborhood under the FX Homes name.

Article and Photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Otter Wax, a neighborhood producer of small-batch specialty goods handcrafted in Portland. Using only natural ingredients, they make modern care products that are steeped in tradition. We thank them for their support.

Property Lease, Property Sale, Top 2025

Multnomah Campus For Sale

Jessup University recently placed its 20-acre Multnomah campus at 8435 NE Glisan Street on the market, seeking a buyer for the entire property. The faith-based educational institution announced early this year that it would halt undergraduate programs at the campus in May and pare down postgraduate programs. The listing includes 16 campus buildings sold as a package but excludes the former dorm buildings facing NE Pacific Street that Volunteers of America Oregon started using in 2024 for its residential treatment program serving women with children.

A campus map and directory sign for Multnomah University displaying building names and locations.
Campus directory showing buildings. Units 5 and 4 on the map are not included in the proposed sale

With undergraduate students not returning to campus this fall, most campus buildings are unused at the moment, except the Travis Lovitt building, where some remaining educational activities will continue throughout 2025. The Multnomah Biblical Seminary will conduct its coursework primarily through distance learning, and the Master of Arts in Counseling program will end in December. After ceasing its academic athletics programs, the University rented the campus’s recently constructed soccer field and gym facilities to area groups.

A view of the athletic field and building at Jessup University's Multnomah campus, featuring a soccer pitch surrounded by a fence and trees in the background.
Soccer field completed in 2022 and athletic buildings

A representative from Terraview Partners explained that the real estate development company is working with Jessup University to “lease or sell the unused assets on the campus property.” This group previously assisted the faith-based education institution with a land deal near its Rocklin, California, campus. The Charleston, South Carolina-based real estate firm promotes its blended approach of profit with environmental responsibility, which may influence what potential buyers the group engages with. The property is currently zoned Campus Institutional 1 (CI1), restricting future reuse to campuses or medical center uses. However, it can support buildings up to seven stories tall at its core with lower-scale structures at its edges abutting residential zoning.

The Terraview Partners representative was confident that the campus would remain active with student and non-student activity starting this fall term, and he expects Rogers Cafe to reopen to the general public after operators determine ideal hours based on the new campus activity.

Interior view of Rogers Cafe at Jessup University's Multnomah campus, featuring tables, a potted plant, and a service counter in the background.

Jessup University President, John Jackson, provided details in an open letter about why the California-based educational institution adopted the Portland campus only to close it 18 months later. He stated Multnomah University’s leadership approached Jessup University in November of 2023 seeking financial support so it could continue to meet its payroll obligations and remain open for students. “Jessup continued to fund Multnomah with millions of dollars of support over the next several months until Multnomah University ceased to exist in May of 2024, and the remaining assets and liabilities were contributed to Jessup,” wrote Jackson. However, according to the written account, assuming Multnomah University’s multi-million dollar deficits were not sustainable, Jessup University could not continue funding the Portland campus. Jackson explained that his organization’s support allowed more than 80% of students to graduate from the Multnomah Campus of Jessup University who would have otherwise needed to transfer to another school without this financial support.

Sign for Multnomah University displayed in front of a campus building, surrounded by grass and trees.

The campus is over 100 years old, having started as the Oregon Employment Institution for the Blind in the 1920s. Multnomah School of the Bible purchased the property in 1952 and became Multnomah Bible College and Biblical Seminary in May 1993. The name changed again in July 2008 to Multnomah University. As Colliers Commercial Realty works with Terraview Partners and Jessup University to find new uses or ownership for the property, its long-term future is unknown. However, its current caretakers have an interest in maintaining its positive presence in Montavilla.

Article and phots by

Jacob Loeb

Construction, New Business, Property Sale, Top 2025, View of Montavilla

Another Gateway Mall Property for Sale

The owners of the six-tenant strip Mall along SE 96th Avenue are seeking a buyer for their Mall 205 adjacent property. Called Prime 205, the single-story bar-shaped structure at 1026 SE 96th Avenue recently secured Carrington College as a new anchor business occupying 64 percent of the building with a ten-year lease. Past owners of the 1971-era strip mall renovated it in 2008. The building currently houses T-Mobile, GolfTec, Fixoid, and L&M Hair Company, with one vacant storefront.

Exterior view of a single-story retail building housing T-Mobile and other storefronts, featuring large glass windows and a brick facade.

The Prime 205 property is located in the Mall 205 superblock, adjacent to the Target store. Mall 205 sold to new owners in 2022, and other retail complexes in the area have endeavored to realign with changing shopping behaviors. The Prime 205 listing follows news that the owners of Gateway Shopping Center intend to sell that large property several blocks north of this location. An unbuilt adjacent lot to the south of the property at SE 96th Avenue and Access Drive is also for sale separately.

Aerial view of a commercial area at SE 96th Ave and Access Dr, featuring multiple large buildings, parking lots, and surrounding roads.
Overhead image of Prime205 from Portland Maps with MV News illustrations

The retail building is located steps away from a TriMet MAX Green line station and offers 94 parking spaces. This area is in flux as new chain restaurants open in the vicinity, but shopping activity remains inconsistent. The unbuilt parcel could represent a development opportunity for urban housing with light ground-floor commercial uses. This parcel is part of a rezoning effort to build density in the Gateway District. Housing in this area would place residents within walking distance of grocery stores, retail establishments, medical services, and public transportation. Properties like Prime 205 can remain on the market for several years, and a buyer will likely want to retain lease tenants, so people will not see any significant change at this site in the coming years. However, owners listing this property could be an indication that they perceive renewed interest from buyers in the Gateway area, and any sale brings an opportunity for future site improvements.

Update: Changed link to SE 96th Ave & Access Dr info after host site took down original page.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Greg Beddor – SEO Specialist, an Oregon based digital marketing consultancy. The company markets customer’s websites and provide SEO services to grow their business. We thank them for their support.

Property Sale, Top 2025

Gateway Shopping Center for Sale

For just under $45 million, someone can purchase the iconic Gateway Shopping Center at the confluence of Interstates 84 and 205. The former Kohl’s building and parking lot are available together with the 24-acre retail complex or separately. The Key Bank parcel at 1205 NE 102nd Avenue is the lone carveout and is not part of the offering. This real estate listing features a significantly sized property anchored by the Gateway Fred Meyer store, with many national chain stores surrounding the expansive parking lot.

Fred G. Meyer built the Gateway Shopping Center in 1954, away from city centers, in what was unincorporated midcounty at the time. The development created the region’s first suburban-style shopping center, focusing on patrons who drove to meet their daily needs. Current structures date back to 1987, with owners reworking almost all the original post-war elements over the decades to meet the ever-changing demands of retail design. The multi-block offering contains six distinct properties with separate registered owners. However, outside of the now-vacant Kohl’s building, the listing focuses on selling the site as a whole.

Entrance of the Fred Meyer store featuring its prominent signage, surrounded by landscaping and an asphalt parking area.

Portland City Planners zoned this area as Central Commercial, allowing high-density commercial development similar to those found in downtown urban streetscapes. Sellers list the property as 96 percent leased, and a sale would not instantly change the commercial makeup of the shopping center. However, a new owner could repurpose the underutilized parking for redevelopment at the edges of the property, better meeting the urban design guidelines while retaining the existing profit center at the complex.

This listing joins other notable multi-block holdings now on the market in this area, including two whole city blocks and several half blocks to the south. The retail site also sits across from a 5.18-acre vacant property at the southwest corner of NE 102nd Avenue and Pacific Street that Prosper Portland bought last year to secure for future housing redevelopment. City leaders intended the Gateway Tax Increment Financing District to spur significant redevelopment, but few properties have transformed with the density required by the new zoning. Several nearby sites have had their structures demolished and are now fenced, awaiting future use. A buyer looking to expand the Gateway Shopping Center could become the catalyst for the district’s growth, much like Fred G. Meyer’s initial investment. However, it will require substantial funding and a vision that extends beyond its suburban past to meet the current demands of a district envisioned as an urban center.

Update July 19, 2025: NBC affiliate KGW reported that the Gateway Fred Meyer location will close permanently leaving a vacancy in the shopping center’s anchor store roll.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Montavilla News is supported by contributions from businesses like Otter Wax, a neighborhood producer of small-batch specialty goods handcrafted in Portland. Using only natural ingredients, they make modern care products that are steeped in tradition. We thank them for their support.

Food and Drink, Property Sale

Who Wants to Buy the Rocket

The Rocket Empire Machine’s owners are seeking a buyer for the fully leased food hall building at 6935 NE Glisan Street. Commercial Black Real Estate recently listed the property for $2 million, offering a turnkey investment for the right operator. After extensive renovations by Guerrilla Development in 2020, the former 1950-era automotive repair building began hosting five food and beverage-related businesses. Since its opening, tenants have remained stable, with only one recent turnover caused by the closing of The Pie Spot.

The property’s asking price does not include the corner parking lot parcel at 6977 NE Glisan Street. The developer split the 2,363-square-foot property from the REM project during construction planning. Kevin Cavenaugh’s Guerrilla Development company intended to create a two-story, 11-unit, single-room occupancy (SRO) building called Jolene’s Second Cousin on the vacant lot. The COVID pandemic halted that project, and the paved lot has served as surface parking for REM customers since the food hall opened. The REM building’s real estate flyer indicates the parking lot property is also available for purchase separately.

Rendering of REM building and canceled Jolene’s Second Cousin SRO, courtesy Guerrilla Development

The REM food hall is a significant anchor point for Montavilla’s portion of NE Glisan Street. It provides an accessible third-place within walking distance for many area residents living north of E Burnside Street and keeps the street active into the evenings. Its shared indoor seating and a covered outdoor courtyard often host social and community gatherings alongside a consistent customer base. Gigantic Brewing’s Robot Room offers micro-brewery drinks at the site, rounding out the casual dining experience and cultivating an environment welcoming an extended stay on the property.

PortlandMaps view showing 6935 next to 6977 NE Glisan St, both for sale

Portland’s commercial real estate market has struggled to rebound fully post-pandemic, and Kevin Cavenaugh has subsequently experienced a few publicized setbacks in other developments. In a June 2024 City Cast Portland episode, he spoke candidly about his dire economic circumstances and how he remains optimistic about Portland’s development culture despite his own troubles. Cavenaugh explained that most of his projects would remain viable investments, but he knew he would not retain ownership of them when the dust settled.

Interested buyers should contact John Gibson by phone at 503-860-3267 or email john.gibson@commercialblack.com. The future owner of this property will gain a low-maintenance multi-tenant space with relatively new commercial kitchens and a built-in customer base. Any sale will likely have little immediate impact on Rocket Empire Machine or its tenants, but the future of the adjacent undeveloped lot is far less certain.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Property Sale

Unique SE Division Mixed-Use Property for Sale

Recently, the owners of the wedge-shaped property at 7910 SE Division Street listed the two-storefront and single residence for sale. The triangular 1966-era cement-block building follows the angle created by SE Division’s curved alignment at SE 82nd Avenue. The property sells with two long-term commercial tenants, but one of those businesses has left its store vacant for almost two years.

The westward-facing retail space leased by Cookies Rose City Dispensary closed for construction in January 2023 and has not reopened. In October 2023, crews completed repair work caused by a vehicle collision and cleaned up the chaotic parking lot that featured a smashed security car. The 9,000-square-foot property is zoned Commercial Mixed Use 2, allowing a new owner to create up to four stories of mixed-use redevelopment. The property sits across the street from Portland Community College’s Southeast Campus and is within blocks of some of the best transit connections in the city, making it an ideal location for housing.

The building, as currently configured, offers a century-old design for commercial property. The three-bedroom, 1,294-square-foot, top-floor apartment creates an opportunity for a family to live above their small business. This once common practice for storefront design changed with post-war zoning that mostly separated residential and commercial development. However, for some family-run business owners, having quick access to work from home lets people balance competing responsibilities.

The space held by the inactive Cookies Dispensary was once a corner market and later a cafe. A return of an active general-purpose storefront at that location would benefit the growing number of nearby residences looking for more options west of SE 82nd Avenue and the college students looking for a walkable off-campus excursion.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

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Community, New Business, Property Sale

Abandoned Driving Range to Become Wildlife Hospital and Sanctuary

The Bird Alliance of Oregon recently completed its purchase of a 12.51-acre property on NE 82nd Avenue across from Leodis V. McDaniel High School. For decades, this overgrown field was known for the graffiti-covered remnants of a golf driving range built on top of a landfilled quarry. Within the next several years, it will become a new wildlife hospital and nature sanctuary for the 122-year-old organization formally known as Portland Audubon.

The organization plans to restore much of the land to its native habitat with nature trails and park space for public use. The site’s proximity to schools and connectivity to the MAX light rail and Portland’s most active bus line made it an ideal location for the Bird Alliance of Oregon to host educational programs and showcase its wildlife viewing opportunities. Portland has limited sites that offer the continuous acres needed for a wildlife hospital and rehabilitation center. The organization operates year-round, providing injured native birds and other wildlife opportunities to return to the wild. This site will support a new building expected to double the floor area of the Bird Alliance’s current Center with the capacity to treat more than 6,000 animals a year. The site’s topography is challenging for any development, and other potential buyers have failed in past attempts to transform it into a large shopping complex.

Aerial image from Portland Maps

The Rose City Sand and Gravel company excavated an 80-foot-deep hole in the center of the site during its many years in operation. Around 1972, site owners converted operations to support the H.G. LaVelle landfill. Over the next ten years, they filled the pit with construction debris, including wood products, metals, and rubble, comprising approximately 2 million cubic yards of solid waste. Landfill deposits included rubble from Interstate-205’s construction. When the landfill closed in 1982, operators covered the site with a clay cap, installing a landfill gas extraction unit and methane monitoring equipment to treat decomposing organic material. Building a substantial structure over the clay cap takes significant engineering. However, the perimeter of the former pit is stable ground and suitable for conventional construction.

Former pro-shop building and offices for golf driving range

The Bird Alliance of Oregon embraced the site’s past and actively supports the remediation of brownfield sites like this one, bringing them back to productive use. Earlier this year, the group secured a Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) grant to restore native habitat across the property. They plan to plant hundreds of native trees and create a pollinator habitat underneath and around a two-acre community solar array on the sloped land at the property’s south side. The multiple PCEF grants received by the organization will power the new structures and offset utility costs for around 200 low-income community members while strengthening the urban tree canopy.

Long unused golf driving range

The plans for this site align with the Bird Alliance of Oregon’s commitment to climate resiliency and habitat protection. These principles complement the work that started over a decade ago at the adjacent Dharma Rain Zen Center. That group purchased the nearly 14 acres to the east in 2012, restoring it to an urban greenspace with habitat for native plants and animals. They created walking trails open to the community and built several small buildings at the center of their property. Together, these two organizations and Glenhaven Park across the street will preserve a green band in the urban core that will support the surrounding community with accessible natural spaces.

With grant funding available, work could begin next year, clearing old structures. The group plans to add additional soil to the property, giving tree roots the depth needed above the clay landfill cap. Developing new structures on the site will take years and require additional funding. This location will become the Bird Alliance of Oregon’s second Portland metro area site, and they will continue to operate in Northwest Portland along with this planned new facility.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account for monthly support or you can pay for a full year directly online. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscriber or sponsor. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.