Multnomah County approves sale of Albina Library Annex on Knott Street

Multnomah County commissioners voted to approve a resolution to sell the Albina Library Annex, a roughly 1,400 square‑foot single‑family residence on a 7,500 square‑foot parcel at 236 Northeast Knott Street adjacent to the Albina Library.

Katie Scheifele, the library’s finance and facilities director, told commissioners the county bought the property in 2022 for $575,000 using library capital bond funds and briefly considered demolition and green‑space options but decided against them because of ongoing operational costs. John Paninin, facilities planner for the Department of County Assets, summarized the surplus and disposition process, noting a public comment period that generated four comments and multiple offers; the recommended buyer agreed to a $535,000 price prior to inspection and intends to occupy and remodel the home as a primary residence.

Paninin said offers initially received during the public comment period ranged between $50,000 and $350,000 and that the county engaged Apex Real Estate Partners to market the property and conduct targeted outreach to brokers and community impact groups. Commissioner John Stixson noted a late $400,000 offer; Greg Cocker Keyham, assistant director for planning, design and construction for facilities, said a late $400,000 bid arrived after negotiations and was not considered.

Commissioners thanked staff for outreach and disposition work and voted to adopt the resolution approving the sale. The sale proceeds will support the library capital bond program and are subject to standard closing adjustments following inspection.