Neighbors and advocates push board for transparency after disputed Solquist property sale

GRESHAM, Ore. — Neighbors and community advocates urged the Gresham‑Barlow School Board on May 7 to halt the planned sale of roughly 12.4 acres on Solquist Road and to run the process again with fuller public notice, saying the district did not follow the surplus and marketing steps they expected.

The complaints came during public comment and a later hour‑long presentation by resident Thomas Eubanks, who reviewed records obtained by public‑records request. Eubanks said the district entered a contract with a developer after a limited pre‑application process with the city and without an appraisal or an open solicitation of bids. "The board still has the control. The district still owns the property. The sale is not closed," Eubanks told the board in his presentation.

Why it matters: The Solquist parcel is one of the district’s few undeveloped sites and neighbors say future housing there would significantly affect local traffic, school enrollment and neighborhood character. Speakers and records cited a developer offer of $4.4 million, a developer pre‑application for 149 townhomes, and demand letters from…