Six years ago the Clackamas County Soil and Water Conservation District’s Board of Directors established a Building Reserve Fund. Looking ahead, they envisioned a time when the District would be able to construct a facility that would better meet the needs of our customers and help us move our conservation programs forward. Setting aside some money each year, the Fund grew and District directors and staff kept watch for just the right opportunity.
We bought property
314 Pleasant Avenue
And what a great deal it was! The property is valued at more than $200,000, but we purchased it for $101,500. The property was owned by the Bank of America, and we offered a very clean, easy purchase to the bank.
This parcel is also very close to our current office, so we’ll be able to easily manage upcoming actions on our new property.
What will happen next?
Mature oak tree
We have some immediate work to do. The old house is not usable so we’ll need to remove it, along with other structures. A hazard tree threatens underground services, ingress to the neighborhood, and power lines, so we’ll begin looking for a tree removal company to eliminate that risk. Invasive species have invaded a good portion of the property, so we’ll develop a control plan.
A mature oak tree graces the front of the property, and we hope to be able to retain and protect it. Sidewalk construction could begin next year, and we’ll begin planning a demonstration rain garden and demonstration pollinator patch.
What about a new District office building?
The District purchased the property with two investment pathways in mind. Because of the astounding deal we got on the property, one option is to simply clean it up and take care of it until the real estate market recovers, then sell it and put those funds back into the Building Reserve Fund.
The other potential use of the property would be to become the footprint of a new Conservation Center for the District. If this comes to pass, we will try to bring our United States Department of Agriculture partners with us to the new Conservation Center. (Clackamas County farms are greatly benefited by having USDA Farm Service Agency and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service staff available here.)
This winter, the Board of Directors will adopt a work plan for this parcel and revisit their long-term property acquisition goals.
What about the neighborhood?
We will be planning an open house in our current office so we can hear concerns and ideas from people from the neighborhood. We recognize that changing this parcel of land may impact others, and we’d like to be a positive member of our new neighborhood.
Questions?
If you have more questions about this acquisition, please contact District Manager Tom Salzer.
