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Multnomah County declares Albina Library annex surplus, opens 60‑day comment period
Summary
The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to declare the property at 236 NE Knott Street surplus and begin a 60‑day public comment period; proceeds, if sold, would return to the library capital bond program.
The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to declare the Albina Library Annex at 236 NE Knott Street surplus and to open a 60‑day public comment period on what to do with the property.
County and library staff said the 1,400‑square‑foot residential property was purchased in August 2022 with library capital bond funds as a construction laydown site for the Albina Library project. Katie Scheifele, the Library Department’s finance and facilities director, told the board the annex is no longer needed by the library and that any proceeds from a future sale would be directed back into the library capital bond program.
John Panninen, facilities planner with the Department of County Assets, cited County Resolution 2018‑5 as the guidance for declaring property surplus and said the 60‑day comment period will allow individuals and organizations to submit input before staff returns with a recommendation. The board’s action authorizes staff to solicit and collect public comments and then come back with options.
Commissioners asked staff about timing, past practice, and how sale proceeds have been allocated in similar cases. Commissioner Grama Edwards asked when the county purchased the building; staff confirmed it was acquired in August 2022. Staff said the difference in how proceeds were used for a recent Gresham sale was that Gresham’s sale filled a specific funding gap for the East County project, whereas proceeds from the Albina Annex would go back into the library capital bond program broadly unless a project‑specific need is later identified.
Commissioner Liana Singleton and others urged active community engagement beyond the required comment period. Singleton asked staff to engage affordable homeownership partners and the Albina Vision Trust and to prioritize keeping proceeds in District 2 if feasible. Public commenters urged professional marketing of the property and broader outreach: Lightning, representing Lightning Superhumanity X R&D Lab, asked the county to use at least three professional real estate brokers to maximize sale price; Bridal Crane (Charles Simca Johnson) suggested targeted outreach through library holds and email lists to reach neighborhood residents.
A roll‑call vote recorded all five commissioners as voting yes. The resolution passed, establishing the 60‑day comment period; staff will collect and present comments to the board before recommending next steps.
The board did not adopt a final disposition today; the action taken was limited to declaring the property surplus and opening the public comment window. Staff said any final recommendation on sale or alternative disposition will return to the board after the comment period.
