Residents of Portland’s University Park neighborhood are confronting the city’s Bureau of Development Services over plans to remove a tree and house that are more than one hundred years old. The removal notice, posted by the bureau, has prompted a local outcry because the centennial tree and its adjoining home are considered cultural and environmental landmarks in the community.
According to KPTV, the tree and house are scheduled to be torn down to make way for new housing that Greenwood Homes LLC intends to build on the site. The city’s website shows that Greenwood Homes LLC has several permits either pending or under review for multiple parcels of land in the area, indicating that the developer is moving forward with its project.
Neighbors gathered on Wednesday night for a vigil organized by the University Park Neighborhood Association. Long‑time resident John Garofalo, who has lived in the neighborhood for more than thirty years, told KPTV, “It’s beauty, the animals that live in it, and what it brings to our neighborhood.” He added, “Neighbors, it’s culture, it’s family, it’s ancestral. We found this neighborhood, University Park, to be very livable.” Another resident, Madeline Masters, expressed concern that “there’s a huge incentive to destroy the things that draw people to the city.”
Steph Mohr, a board member of the University Park Neighborhood Association, said, “We can’t stop the taking down of this beautiful home and tree, but we’re hoping to stop that from future neighborhoods that might be impacted.” The association hopes to collaborate with Greenwood Homes LLC and the City of Portland to explore alternatives that preserve the historic assets while addressing housing needs.
What’s next: The neighborhood association plans to continue its advocacy, seeking a meeting with Greenwood Homes LLC and city officials to discuss possible preservation options. The author of the KPTV report has reached out to both the developer and the city for comment but has not yet received a response.
Sources: kptv.com, kolotv.com
