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 WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THESE SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED

Surveys indicate savings projected by proponents of school closure often do not materialize.  The properties are often sold after extended marketing periods due to their locations and for far less than their tax-assessed values.  A survey of all school sales/ closures in the Portland Metropolitan area was conducted.  Over the last decade there are 13 schools that have closed.  Here’s what happened to them:

  • Sold for $19-39 per sqft vs. $150 per sqft to replace
  • At least 1/3 of the subject schools were demolished as a result of the school closure and sale
  • One school was on the market nearly three years; ultimately it sold for 60% of tax assessed value
  • 4 schools were purchased by public entities
  • 2 schools were purchased for re-development into housing
  • 1 school was purchased for commercial use
  • 3 schools were sold to private schools or to an adjacent school district
  • 4 schools were retained by Portland Public Schools but the use was changed to special programs
  • Washington High School (the main building) has yet to sell

OUTCOME OF 13 SCHOOLS CLOSED IN PORTLAND METRO AREA

School/Seller Buyer Address Zoning Sale Date Sales Price Outcome
Milwaukie Middle School, North Clackamas School District #12 Waldorf Assoc. of Portland, Inc. 2300 SE Harrison St, Milwaukie Residential 7/2/2002 $3,650,000 Former Milwaukie Middle School; completely rehabbed 1978. Vacated 6/30/02 Buyer is private school.  Property on market for 2.5 years
Fruit Valley School (Former), Vancouver School District #37 Vancouver Housing Authority 3301 Fruit Valley Rd, Vancouver Residential 10/31/2001 $696,350 Buyer stated property will be demolished and new low-income housing constructed.
Leo C Volk City of Sherwood 120 NW 3rd St., Sherwood Residential 3/30/2000 $550,000 Buyer to use property for community gatherings and for storage
Wesley Wood Westside Construction Inc. 8825 SE 11TH Ave.,Portland Ex’d 8/27/1998 $325,000 Sold to developer, 10 row houses constructed on site
Former Church School Immaculate Conception Academy Youth Resources Inc. 44 NE Morris St.Portland Residential 7/1/1998 $300,000 Former church school sold to private school
Canby School Dist #86 Clackamas County Children’s Commission 109 N 2ND St.,Canby Residential 1/29/1998 $144,000 County bought for Children’s Commission
Youngson School, PPS Special Ed Behavior School 2704 SE 71st Ave.,Portland Residential N/A N/A Now a special education behavior school for elementary students
Wilcox, PPS Columbia Regional Programs 833 NE 74th Avenue, Portland Residential N/A N/A Now houses Columbia Regional Programs (special education services) formally at Washington High School
Meek, PPS Joseph L. Meek Professional Technical High School, PPS 4039 NE Alberta Ct.,Portland Residential N/A N/A Now an alternative high school for 16-21 yr olds; emphasis on vocational skills
Brooklyn Neighborhood, PPS Winterhaven School, PPS 3830 SE 14th Ave, Portland Residential N/A N/A Now a K-8 Focus Option School with science and math emphasis
Glenhaven, PPS Banfield Pet Center HQ 8020 NE Tillamook, Portland Commercial $1,836,423 Sold to Banfield Pet Center for their Corporate Headquarters.  Sale required PPS to demolish the building at cost of $463,577
Collinsview, PPS Riverdale School District 9727 SW Terwilliger, Blvd., Portland Residential $2,505,899 Sold to Riverdale School District for high school; PPS retained land
Washington High, PPS City of Portland Parks SE 12th and Morrison, Portland Residential 12/23/2004 $4,961,363 Partial sale to City of Portland for park site; Sale required PPS to demolish gymnasium, cafeteria & portable buildings; demolition cost $429,544.  Balance including main building has not yet sold.

RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES TO BREAK RECORDS

What happens if the population increases or if the demographic trends shift back again?  The likelihood that these neighborhoods will experience a demographic shift again is high. 

  • Single family construction hasn’t slowed down despite the economy. Permits for new single family homes have averaged 10,500 per year for over five years.
  • Apartments are at their most active in over a decade.  In 2003 there were permits for 5,600 new apartments, versus average annual permits between 1999-2002 of 3,500 units.  By November 2004, there were permits for an additional 4,173 new apartment units.

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