Developer pulls out of Portland after four decades: 'How can you be this dysfunctional?'

Ask Kevin Howard how he feels about Portland, and his emotions run the gamut, but he's mostly frustrated as he pushed open the fence to his final slice of the city.

"This property was listed in January of 2021 for $795,000. Yesterday we sold it for $412,000," said Howard.

A significant loss, but Howard says he had nothing left in the tank. The tiny piece of property off Southeast Powell Boulevard, a former pizza parlor, has been a nightmare for the past three years.

"The supposed homeless came in and kicked in the door, the front door, and lived in it," said Howard. "And I waited until they came out, and I had to board it up."

But Howard says that didn't do much. They just broke in again and again, living inside and outside, even in his dumpster enclosure which they eventually set on fire. Howard says he got nowhere when he called the police.

"I said, 'Well, what does a homeowner do? What does a property owner do?' and they said, 'Call Central City Concern,'" said Howard. "I said "What will they do?' and they said, 'Well, they'll probably come out and give them a cup of coffee and some hot soup.'"

Howard looked into hiring a security guard, but that was too expensive at roughly $15,000 a month. So, he decided to get a fence, but the wait was four months.

"I said, 'Why?' and they said, 'Because homeowners like mad are fencing their property to keep the, you know, the drug addicts and the homeless out,'" said Howard.

So, the trash piled up, and Howard tried to keep up, but it wasn't enough. Last summer, the city hit him with a nuisance fine of nearly $540.

Howard paid the fine.

A month later, he got an even bigger bill, the original amount plus a penalty. The city told him they had lost his check. So, he paid the bill again, plus the extra $100.

"Two weeks later, they sent me another bill for 639 dollars and 71 cents," said Howard. "I called them up, and they said, "Well, this might be a duplicate bill, but we've already put a lien on your property."

The fence was finally installed, and Howard was able to clean up the property and eventually get the lien removed, but the drama dragged on for more than six months.

"I just remember the phrase 'The City That Works,'" said Howard. "The city that jerks, I mean, how can you be this dysfunctional?"

KATU News reached out to the bureau that fined Howard, Development Services. They confirmed there was an error, telling us "the issue was resolved" and "there's no outstanding balanced owed." We also asked Mayor Ted Wheeler's office for an interview. Wheeler has been vocal about improving livability, reducing taxes and fees, and restoring people's faith in Portland. A spokesman told us the Bureau of Development Services is not under Mayor Wheeler's Portfolio. Commissioner Carmen Rubio's office did not get back to us.

Kevin Howard shook his head as he walked through his now-former property.

"In the last year, 23,000 dollars. 13,000 for the fence, then there's the graffiti cleanup, painting the building," said Howard.

He spent $23,000 in one year just to manage the mess. But Howard, who founded Northwest Self Storage and owned 70 properties over the past four decades, says it isn't about this one address. This was just the last straw.

"I've been all over the world. I lived in Australia for a couple of years. I've been to all 50 states and all over," said Howard. "I came back to Portland, and I came back to Oregon because I loved it. I loved the people, the greenery, the lifestyle."

Howard became emotional as he turned to the boarded-up building. A bittersweet ending to his life and work in Oregon.
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#News #KATU #homelessness #Portland #homeless #businessowner

[oldgadfly]

Sending the nuisance bill to him is adding insult to injury. The city deserves the bill, not him!

[kode]

So that's how the city keeps taking these properties. They let homeless trash the property then they hit the owner with liens. Absolutely disgusting.

[morganvon]

This is pure genius. Let the bums squat on private property. Fine the property owner for the resulting mess. If the owner doesn't pay, put a lien on the property. The city makes money no matter what!

[GodofChaos]

This world is not made for nice and patient guys like him, all the best to you Kevin for your future endeavors.

[ecobasetech]

This man was way more patient than the city deserves.

[chelsea]

Portland has boundless compassion for junkies and criminals but none whatsoever for ordinary people trying to do the right thing every day.

[Janzer_]

The city of Portland decided that the people that are not productive and are ruining the community and city, are more important than this man. Remember that.

[passthetunaporfavor]

They put a lien on his property for what criminals were doing ?

[sferg]

Removing squatters should be as simple as a call to the police and have them tossed out. It should NOT be the responsibility of the property owner or to have to have it run through the courts to get results. It's a crazy system where they pander to the criminals and trespassers and fine the good people.

[Skunkhunt_]

A man who clearly believed in portland, granted it grace and his patience. This man is now done, just like the damage to this city.

[MEOWMIX]

You think these elected officials give a sh**??? As long as they getting their 6 figure paychecks, theyre fine with whatever happens to these

[patriciallarsen]

Can’t blame him. I have lived in Portland most of my life, and I want out. Portland has been turned into a garbage heap. Used to be beautiful, clean and safe. To many corrupt officials. I wish this man nothing but success and healing.

[catherinecastelli]

Unfortunately this is only going to get worse. Property owners have no rights. The criminals are running the asylum

[tarpon]

Poor guy. He is a pillar of that community and gets treated worse than a homeless criminal.
Damn shame

[DGuerriero]

I'm very impressed at how the City can lien the property over a $639 bill pretty snappy, but can't seem to enforce squatter laws. "Homeless privilege, " I guess.

[openyourmind]

My family and I visited Portland in fall 2022 after years of wanting to go...was in disbelief at the homeless, mentally ill and drug use in the dowtown streets, watched a coffee shop owner wrestle with a guy trying to steal, saying when he gave away anything he would get swarmed. Advised not to leave hotel after dark. So very sad, not sure what the solution is. Would never go back. Clearly no leadership.

[neverendingmods]

This is the reality of "free housing for homeless, no cash bond criminal cases, not charging violent youth as adults in violent crimes, short prison sentences, etc".

[MegaSnow]

We moved to Oregon 30+ years ago, lived in Portland for several years. Escaped Portland and now live elsewhere in Oregon where it’s a much better. I feel for this man; shame on the city for fining him for nuisance when they wouldn’t do anything to help get rid of the nuisance. We will never, ever live in the city of Portland again. To say it’s mismanaged, is putting it mildly. Sad - Portland is destroying the reputation of Oregon, a breathtakingly beautiful state.

[aroseyglow]

Shame on anyone who keeps electing these individuals who refuse to have a backbone and look after the city.

[ralphbillick]

I wish you nothing but success, I drove cross country in the late 70s & early 80’s and I thought the city was fantastic, the people were the friendliest of anywhere I had driven. People would actually wave to you from across the street and say hello. What happened. You will do well wherever you go because you have a good heart, it shows thru the video. All the best to you ❗️🇺🇸