May ’11 VOLUME 25, ISSUE 9 FREE Northwest Portland neighborhoo Serving ds since 1986 — celebrating our 25th year! Demolition Julie KeefE by neglect Wealthy owners let historic property slide into ruin By Allan Classen The 1905 fourplex at 2125 NW Flanders St. has been in neglectful decline for most of a decade. Complaints about overgrown weeds, trash and frequent squatters began piling up four years ago, about the time the last tenants moved out. Neighbors are disturbed and puzzled by the slow-motion slide into ruin of what was judged to be a “contributing structure” when the Historic Alphabet District was formed in 2000. What are the owners thinking? It’s a question many neighbors have asked. “We pass by this house numerous times each week and can’t understand how the city of Portland can allow something like this to exist,” wrote Carol Sterkel, who serves on the Northwest District Association Public Safety and Livability Committee. “The trash is piling up and the whole situation is an eyesore for the neighborhood. But more importantly, it is a health concern and also a safety problem.” Dan Anderson, who owns a home across the street, calls the process “demolition by neglect.” Some take heart in the possibility that news coverage will jolt someone or Neighbors have been waiting years some agency into action. for the owners to fix the fourplex on “I am delighted to hear that you are going to be shining a light on the mess Northwest Flanders Street. They include that that once beautiful house has been allowed to become and the blight on Dan Anderson (L-R); Joy Strand, th this lovely street,” said Kathy Mcferrin, who owns the house to the east. Anderson’s wife; Kathy Mcferrin, 17 Annual Despite repeated attempts to get their side of the story, the owners remain next-door neighbor; Katie Cundiff, tight-lipped. manager at Ken’s Artisan Bakery; and Northwest Examiner The property is owned by Jacqueline and Virgil Traynor, who live on a Gary Talbot, maintenance worker at country estate in Auburn, Calif. and co-own Traynor Marina Investments, Mcferrin’s building. Community Awards Traynor Apartments Investments and Juliet Tango Flying Services. He is a Continued on page 6 This year’s winners: Don and Carol Gary Kish allan cLassen Sterkel Blaine Josh Ryan Bartholomew Norm Gholston John Baymiller Steve Brand Linda Wisner Tanya March Brian Harmston Alice Diffely Ann Niles Saturday, May 14, 6:30 p.m. Hillside Soccer St. Patrick’s Church Club parents Terri Williamson (L-R), Northwest 19th & Savier Greta Hilbourne, Liz Rusch, Rachel McCormick, Myndi Ample free parking Brand, Katie Stevens, Julie Abrahms, Tim Complimentary Loy, Amy Loy, Sue desserts & refreshments Harrison, Trish Satchwell, Keene Satchwell and Evan All are invited - Free Denhart want to make rained-out soccer games a thing of the past. Details on page 8 See story Page 9 foR ou you’ll Go GaGa TickeTy Boo and Ready y — and We don’T Mean lady 5947 NW Cornell Road Gauguin would be mesmerized in this retreat on 3 acres of gardens. Architects, landscaper, and artist-resident have collaborated to make a heaven, right here on earth. The atrium entry floods the house with light and becomes a gallery, a library, a sun-filled capsule of creativity. The living room’s towering grey basalt fireplace reinforces the solid 2740 NW Thurman Street feel of hemlock and oak, and the imposing natural setting is evident You’ll fall in love with this townhouse, especially after you in every room and every surface. Formal and cutting gardens, 2 see the blossoms, blooms and birds in the gardener’s greenhouses, meadows, babbling creek, and trails that wind through paradise. Sit on the terraced deck and take in the spring indigenous plantings…nirvana. or nestle near the gas fireplace in the fall and watch 2 bedrooms, 2 full and 1 half baths, 2,222 Sq. Ft., 2-car garage, the leaves color from the great room with the recently 4.1 acre lot. MLS #11497751 $775,000. remodeled cherry wood and granite kitchen. There are 2 suite-style bedrooms—the master with cathedral ceilings and spa bath—an oversized garage with room for work space, and a front den for privacy and contemplation. Walking score of 88…1 block to Macleay Park. 2 bedrooms, 2 full and one half baths, 1,680 Sq. Ft., tandem 2-car garage. MLS #11438424 $525,000. The ife of Riley, you’ll Be livinG l all oR MayBe MacdouG Want to Preserve Property Values? VOTE YES for Portland Public School Bond Measures 26-121 & 26-122 3814 NW Thurman Street you Will Think This easy livinG Architect Ellis Lawrence designed this Willamette Heights condo is The Bee’s nees classic in 1911, one of three built for railroad builder Alexander k MacDougall’s family, and once linked by walkways on one large parcel of land. Now a National Historic Landmark it is a step back in history save for the updated kitchen, baths and amenities. A brilliant conservatory on the main floor sparkles with light. The full basement and attic have a family room, work space, offices, project rooms or sleeping spaces. Understated elegance, near Forest Park on a 15,300 Sq. Ft. lot with territorial views and gardens blooming nearly all year. 5 bedrooms, 3 full and 2 half baths, 6,369 Sq. Ft., garage. MLS# 11118576 $1,399,000. 2433 NW Quimby Street, Unit 1 Welcome to the Quimby Qlub, a boutique-sized 4-unit condominium building ideally located in the NW Flats. Offering one-level living on the main floor, it has the original gleaming top-nailed oak floors and architectural details complementing newly renovated spaces from the studs out. A period-appropriate kitchen and bath SATURDAY MAY 21, 2011 renovation respect the heritage and means modern convenience and function. Relax on the deck or dabble in gardening…your weekend is complete. 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 675 Sq. Ft., shared driveway. MLS# 11246932 $225,000. Buy tickets ($25.00) at www.chapmanhometour.com The Dan Volkmer Team Dan Volkmer PrinciPal broker burDean barTlem, kishra oTT & anne Yoo, brokers WalTer anD TeD, Too. For your real estate needs in the Northwest neighborhood. Call us to find out your property’s top market value. 503-497-5158 www.danvolkmer.com Burdean, Kishra, Anne, Dan, Walter & Ted 2 northwest Examiner, MaY 2011 Letters can be sent to By Allan Classen [email protected] or 2825 NW Upshur St., Ste. C, Portland, OR 97210. Editor’sEditor & Publisher Turn readerLetters should be 300 words or fewer; include areply name and a street of residence. Deadline third Saturday of the month. Goose Hollow leaders make own rules In between all its good work, there are some questionable practices at the Goose Hollow Foothills League board. In February, we came across official board com- munications that spread rumors about a neighbor. We chuckled to read how she supposedly undermined democracy, talked secretly with press, used connections Underground reservoirs and solicited funds for personal use (she asked six Goose Hollow businesses to underwrite photographs for her Goose Hollow book AFTER she left the board). There is a rule that board “communications should not include statements that inferior, unneeded, costly could be considered libelous or defamatory.” Board directors told us these state- ments are not libelous. When the city tried to cover our his- maintenance workers are advised to wear I spoke at the March board meeting for five minutes uninterrupted and submit- toric reservoirs, people were up in arms. gas masks when entering the tanks. Vents ted a letter asking the board to reconsider. We were ignored. Neighbors had grown to love the classic provide some interaction with the atmo- Then, we witnessed the attempts to replace the planning chair and others. old reservoirs, the costs of covering them sphere but never to the same degree as Next, we heard how GHFL directors had no idea that their leaders had filed a were steep and the mystical attraction with open lakes, streams or reservoirs. records request against Neighbors West/Northwest for all communications touch- of humans for bodies of water is univer- The vents also provide openings for ing on GHFL in December. Wow. When asked about this month-old request, sal. Add to that the city’s Independent rats and other animals to enter and ter- executive officers argued that they have “executive authority” so do not need board Review Panel conclusion in 2004 that rorists to dump toxins. There is simply no discussion or oversight. public health was not at risk from open way to put a public water system under I asked to see the emails discussing these board actions out of the public eye. I reservoirs, and the commissioner in charge lock and key to ensure purity and safety. was refused. The secretary offered to meet and explain why residents cannot see of the Water Bureau finally relented. The Keeping drinking water in enclosed con- these board emails, despite open records laws. A few days later, he resigned and reservoirs were saved, or so it seemed. tainers seems prudent at the household deleted all emails from his computer. The Water Bureau is back with a $500 level, and that’s the association people These actions feel wrong. Why would board directors spread rumors about a million proposal to build underground res- tend to make regarding public reservoirs. resident, push resignations of volunteers, file records requests on the coalition office ervoirs, and this time the people keeping It’s an association the bureau counts on to ... and the other directors don’t know about it? an eye on our iconic reservoirs won’t see a sell this $500 million boondoggle.