Humboldt Home Demolition Delay Expires

PORTLAND, Ore. – A 99-year-old house in the Humboldt neighborhood of North Portland has waited out its demolition delay period, but the permit is still listed as “under review.”

Photo credit: Portland Chronicle

The single-family home is located at 5036 N Albina Ave. Built in 1916, it totals 1,724 square feet on a 3,300 square foot lot.

Photo credit: Portland Chronicle

In December the house sold for $315,000. It had previously sold in 1991 for $13,216.

Photo credit: Portland Chronicle

The new owner is JSM Equities LLC, which is registered to Steven Melkerson and Ceanne Melkerson with a business address in Southeast Portland.

Photo credit: Portland Chronicle

Development company Caliber Homes is also registered to Steven Melkerson, and it is serving as the contractor on the demolition. Caliber Homes has worked on a number of developments around Portland, including one on Southeast 50th Avenue a block away from Urban Development Group‘s proposed 50th and Stephens multifamily complex.

At the site on 50th Caliber Homes demolished a 1922 duplex and a 1924 single-family home, partitioned the 5,000 square foot lot into four parcels and is constructing four attached townhouses with 12 units total.

Photo credit: Portland Chronicle

Photo credit: Portland Chronicle

Melkerson initially planned to remove a tree that neighbors said had significant historic value. After a number of exchanges with the neighborhood, including Melkerson considering selling the lot altogether because of the outcry and negative press, he eventually altered the plans. Initially planned to include 14 units the development now has 12, and the tree has been preserved.

Melkerson applied for demolition of the Humboldt house on Dec. 12. It was subject to the 35-day demolition delay, suggesting he will replace it with multiple housing units.

Photo credit: Portland Chronicle

Photo credit: Portland Chronicle

While the delay would have expired on Jan. 16, the permit has not yet been issued and is still listed as “under review.”

Photo credit: Portland Chronicle