Keizer council directs hazards testing, cost estimates for Bailey Road property

The Keizer City Council on Monday directed the city manager to obtain hazardous-material testing and collect prices for abatement, demolition and restoration for a single-family dwelling the city recently acquired at 4860 Bailey Road Northeast.

Staff said the city closed recently on the property — on the southwest corner of the Geyser Event Center campus — and plans to use the adjacent shop building for evidence storage. The single-family house at the front of the property needs substantial repair, staff said, and contains asbestos and likely lead paint. Staff recommended demolition of the house and leveling the front yard, citing concerns the house is an attractive nuisance that could be broken into or occupied.

Staff estimated renovation costs at roughly $40,000, noting that similarly sized rentals in the area would fetch about $1,500 per month. Staff also estimated abatement costs for asbestos and possible lead at about $25,000 and demolition at an additional $10,000–$15,000 — roughly $40,000 total — making demolition and abatement comparable in cost to renovation.

The council discussed other potential uses for the property, including additional parking for the event center, a new ingress and egress, consolidation of city crews on the same campus, and the possibility of moving public-works employees from their current site. Staff recommended hiring a space planner to develop options for campus layout and use; councilors said they would like the hazards testing and cost estimates completed before pursuing space-planning work and asked for the broad campus discussion to occur in a work session.

Councilors also noted security needs for the intended evidence-storage use of the shop building, including climate control, cameras, secure locks, and possible fire suppression. Chief Copeland noted fire suppression might be necessary.

Councilor Kohler moved the direction to conduct hazards testing and collect pricing for abatement, demolition and restoration; the motion passed unanimously with two members absent. Staff said it will return to council with testing results and cost estimates for next steps.