REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST for Real Estate Acquisition for Development Concepts

Clackamas County is issuing a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) for the disposition and redevelopment of the historic Main Street Courthouse property located at 807 Main Street in Oregon City. The county seeks creative, experienced development teams to submit conceptual proposals for the 0.94-acre site, which includes a three-story, 65,527-square-foot Art Deco style courthouse building constructed in 1937. The property will be vacated in August 2025 when county operations move to a new facility, and the RFEI aims to solicit innovative reuse, renovation, or redevelopment concepts. Prospective developers must consider the property's historical significance, zoning as Mixed-Use Downtown (MUD), and the preservation of Liberty Plaza. Key objectives include finding a developer capable of addressing structural challenges identified in a 2015 seismic evaluation, which found significant deficiencies preventing seismic retrofitting. The RFEI response is due by March 24, 2025, and the county will evaluate submissions based on creativity, feasibility, preservation of historical character, and potential community benefit.

The procurement does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations. The property will be conveyed via quit claim deed on an as-is basis, with potential county assistance in securing funding, facilitating community engagement, and navigating land use processes. The site is located within Oregon City's Downtown/North End Urban Renewal Area and Vertical Housing Development Zone, which may offer tax exemptions and urban renewal funding opportunities for the selected developer. While no specific budget range is provided, the county is open to standard purchase/sale arrangements or alternative disposition proposals. The property's National Register of Historic Places eligibility and required compliance with Oregon conservation laws will be critical considerations for potential developers. Interested parties should carefully review the comprehensive RFEI document to understand the full scope of development possibilities and regulatory requirements for this unique urban redevelopment opportunity.