Neighbors in the Centennial area of Gresham are pushing the city to save a piece of wetland and forest property from development. It’s referred to as the Shaull property and it was originally part of a larger farm that became Grant Butte Park. The majority of the land was turned into a park by the city when its former owner passed away. His second wife lived on the Shaull property until her passing, and expressed in her will that the city of Gresham would have the right to buy the property at a 10% discount of $900 thousand and add to the existing park. But due to some missteps, the property was bought in December by a developer, who now says he will sell back to the city for $2.5 million, or else build 30 new homes on the plot of land.
There is hope, however for those who would seek to preserve the plot of land from development. The City of Gresham is running a survey through Monday, April 26th, where residents can vote to support different parks projects, and the Shaull property purchase is one of them. If the city purchases the property, it would also provide much easier access to Grant Butte Park.
KBOO's Althea Billings speaks with Gresham Resident Janet Unruh and John Blidsoe, the Land Use Chair for NW Neighborhood Association in Gresham, Vice President of the Coalition of Gresham Neighborhoods, and member of Friends of Grant Butte Wetlands.
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