The Portland City Council approved an emergency ordinance transferring ownership of Selwood Community House (1436 SE Spokane St.) to Friends of Selwood Community House for $1, subject to a deed restriction preserving the property for public benefit in perpetuity.

Sponsor Councilor Clark said the community group stepped in after the Parks Bureau closed the building several years ago and has since raised more than $2 million to renovate and reactivate the facility. Clark said private philanthropic donors were reluctant to commit while the building remained in government ownership, and the sale is intended to remove that barrier.

Parks staff and real‑estate services described the background: Parks issued an RFP after a decision to close select community centers and included lease provisions that anticipated negotiation if the city later disposed of those properties. Real Estate Services said the Friends organization had invested in deferred maintenance and program activation and that the purchase‑and‑sale agreement includes deed restrictions and an offer‑back clause to the city.

Council debate centered on equity and precedent. Some councilors applauded the arrangement as a successful public‑private partnership that safeguards a cherished neighborhood third‑space and reduces the Parks deferred‑maintenance backlog (staff cited a Selwood maintenance line item of about $4.6 million). Others warned that only well‑resourced community groups can pursue these purchases and urged the city to make clear how other communities can follow the model.

City staff confirmed that the deed restriction language — which requires Friends of Selwood Community House and successors to offer the property first to the city on the recorded terms if they attempt to sell — would be finalized and recorded before executing the purchase and sale agreement. The ordinance carried on roll call with 10 yes, 1 no and 1 absent.

What’s next: Parks and real‑estate staff and the Friends organization will finalize the deed restriction and execute the purchase and sale; the deed restriction will be recorded and contain the offer‑back mechanism.