Our community has a unique opportunity to buy a blighted property at the corner of SE 57th Avenue and Division Street and transform it into a community commons that truly meets the community’s vision for the site.

The property is across the street from Atkinson Elementary School and has been the site of drug dealing and numerous other problems. U.S. Marshalls seized the property in a drug case. The federal government and Multnomah County Sheriff have offered the community the chance to buy the site. Fundraising to buy the 57th and Div. property is underway!! We're calling this effort the "Atkinson/Tabor Community Commons Campaign."

The federal government has agreed to transfer the property to the community for the creation of a school/neighborhood center. The "Community Commons" would be a place for neighbors to gather, have a cup of coffee, meet and talk. Space would also be available for school and community meetings and activities.

The Challenge:  We need to raise $45,000 to acquire the property. This may seem daunting, but we're already making good progress toward our goal.
 
This is a rare opportunity to gain community ownership of an important piece of property in our neighborhood at far below what it would cost to buy it on the open market.  (This is a small amount of money to acquire a piece of property worth at least $240,000 now and much more after the environmental cleanup.) Community ownership will ensure that the site is used and developed in a way that truly meets the needs of the Atkinson school community and the surrounding neighborhood. Your contribution will result in tangible benefits to our community that will continue for years to come.

How much do we need to raise and by when?
The community must have $45,000 in hand when the federal government is ready to transfer the property. This is likely to be sometime after the end of October 2005. We raised $24,000 of this amount by early October.

How is the money being raised for the property?
Private donations from individuals, organizations and businesses.

What if we don’t raise the money in time?
The federal government sell the property at public auction to the highest bidder.

What your contribution does:
Community ownership will ensure that the property becomes a valued community asset that serves the needs and vision of the Atkinson School community and the surrounding neighborhood.

Who is leading this effort?
The Atkinson PTA and Mt. Tabor and South Tabor Neighborhood Associations have joined forces to lead this project.

What if I donate and the community isn’t able to buy the property?
If we are not able to raise enough money to acquire the property, all donors will get their money back.

Will donors take on any liability related to the property?
No. Donors will not have any liability related to the site. Southeast Uplift Neighborhood Program will take formal ownership on behalf of the school and neighborhoods.

Who will make decisions about the future of the site?
Use and future development of the site will be determined by a committee of individuals who represent the Atkinson Elementary School community, the Mt. Tabor and South Tabor Neighborhood Associations, Southeast Uplift, and the Division Vision Coalition, and Franklin High School. Individuals who contribute are welcome to participate in the committee’s work.

Checks should be made out to:
SEUL—57th and Division Project

Contributions should be sent to:
Southeast Uplift
3534 S.E. Main
Portland, OR 97214

All contributions are tax deductible.

Final application for Property Transfer under the Operation Goodwill Initiative - September 16, 2005

Download the Application (140 Kb, PDF)


57th & Division Street Community Ownership Project
MASTERS OF URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING 2005 PLANNING WORKSHOP
PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY

Download the PSU Student Report (2.9 Mb, PDF)

Read the Portland Tribune article regarding the project.

Contact Paul Leistner: 503-232-3888, paulamy@teleport.com