City of Portland to auction foreclosed blighted properties at public sale

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- The City of Portland is set to host a public sale of six recently foreclosed "nuisance" properties this Monday.

According to the city, each of the privately-owned properties were foreclosed on after "months to years of unpaid code violation fines and liens."

The properties up for auction are listed below:

• 6402 SE 103rd Ave.
• 1300 N River St.
• 9124 NE Prescott St.
• 3623 S Corbett Ave.
• 6329 SE 86th Ave.
• 2826 SE 87th Ave.

The neglect of these properties is more than an eyesore. Kelly Smith, who lives near one of the properties up for auction in Southeast Portland, voiced some health and safety concerns.

"It's a bit unsanitary. There's definitely a lot of rodent problems and stuff that certainly originate on that property," she said. "It would be nice to see something done in this neighborhood. I think it deserves it after all these years."

These uncared for properties have also brought trouble to their street.

"We've had officers swing by trying to catch the culprits. That's been kind of crappy," said neighbor Presley Smith. "And then, also watching kids playing and stuff and potentially getting injured has not been great. "

Additionally, there have been multiple fires in that house, located at 2826 SE 87th Ave. This made the property prime real estate for a dumping ground.

"I think the dumping started after the second fire," neighbor Tim Brien recalled. "Usually it was just a bag or two. And then now it's like people were throwing furniture over there."

"I actually caught somebody trying to dump a water heater there. But he noticed me watching, so he left," Kelly added.

When asked what they hope this lot will become, a green space came to mind. But they are open to the possibilities.

"In an ideal world, honestly anything would be better than living across the street from a burned down house," said Kelly.

This auction is the second since Portland City Council voted last spring to amend the foreclosure process. This shortened the amount of time a property owner could pay off their outstanding fines from one year to three months.

The minimum bids for the properties range from around $143,000 to $641,000.

"We want Portlanders to know that we are committed to addressing these properties," said Kevin Foster, the City’s foreclosure prevention manager. "Whether it’s encouraging the property owners to resolve outstanding issues or inviting new bidders to consider investment opportunities, this foreclosure sale is essential to enhancing the quality of life in Portland’s neighborhoods."

Ten properties originally slated for the auction were taken off the block this week, after outstanding liens, penalties and interest were paid on several of them.

The city adds the owners of the remaining six properties will have until the foreclosure sale to resolve their outstanding balance and have their property removed from the auction.

KOIN 6 News will continue to follow this story.