Once a bustling shop that warmed the homes of many Portland residents, the former Gordon's Fireplace Shop is finding itself back on the auction block this December. After averting a foreclosure auction in September, the property that has now become an eyesore covered in graffiti is slated for another chance at sale, starting with a bid of $225,000. The auction is scheduled to run from Dec. 16 through Dec. 18, as reported by KGW.
The 27,000-square-foot property, which was erected in 1918 near Interstate 84, has, seen better days, affiliated with a series of neighborhood grievances. Police were called to the location twice between June 2023 and May 2024 for various incidences. Moreover, incidents within a 200-foot radius of the property prompted approximately 31 calls, predominantly concerning disorder, according to a city report that advocated for foreclosure.
As per KOIN, the property is zoned for Commercial/Mixed-Use 3 (CM3), which allows for a blend of commercial and residential use, also endorsing employment establishments that have limited impacts externally. Portland planning and zoning laws prescribe this zone as "intensely urban" and not suitable for sites with single‐dwelling residential zoning nearby. The zoning implies the possibility of constructing buildings that can extend up to six stories.
Despite the property's situation triggering a foreclosure auction that was previously set for September, the building has yet to transition to new ownership. The upcoming auction represents another attempt to find a buyer who can revitalize the distressed location, as initially noted by Portland Business Jthe ournal. The potential for redevelopment remains, given the property's urban zoning and the city's inclination for mixed-use developments.
