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Multnomah County OKs sale of Gresham library to city with $0 leaseback, board requires executed agreement be shared
Summary
The county approved a resolution to negotiate sale of the Gresham Library building to the City of Gresham and lease it back at no base rent until the new East County Library opens; commissioners added an amendment requiring the executed sales agreement and terms be supplied to the board at closing.
The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners voted to authorize negotiations to sell the Gresham Library building at 35 Northwest Miller Avenue to the City of Gresham and lease it back to the library at no base rent until the East County Library opens.
County staff said the property lacks its own parking and that the City of Gresham controls the adjacent lot used by patrons. Facilities and library officials told the board the letters of intent received from the City of Gresham and the Gresham Barlow School District were at the high end of broker opinions of value. Staff said broker opinions put the range between $1.8 million and $4.0 million and indicated the final sale will land at the higher end of that range.
Public testimony raised transparency concerns about selling district property, whether the county had followed surplus-property procedures and whether the community would be informed of the final sales price. Charles Simca Johnson asked how the county intended to use the land and urged attention to affordable housing opportunities. Others urged professional marketing or open brokerage if the county sought the highest value.
Commissioners pressed staff on timing and finances. Staff said sale proceeds are planned for the East County Library project budget and that the leaseback arrangement at $0 base rent would be separate from utility and maintenance costs. Staff estimated the leaseback would likely last about 16 months but that the contract would provide protections if the East County project faced delays.
Commissioner Brim Edwards moved — and the board approved — an amendment to require that the executed sale agreement, including all terms, be supplied to the board upon closing. After that amendment passed, the board adopted the resolution authorizing the negotiated sale.
The resolution passed by roll call: Commissioners Myron, Brem Edwards and Stegman voted aye; Vice Chair Beeson voted yes. The board directed staff to proceed with negotiations and to report back with the executed agreement as required by the new amendment.
Next steps: staff will finalize negotiations and, per the amendment, provide the board with the executed sales agreement and transaction terms when the sale closes.
