By Ann Sullivan-Smoot

Ann Sullivan-Smoot observed Clackamas County Commissioner Business Meetings in-person on

5/1/25, 5/8/25, and 5/15/25. An agenda was presented for each meeting and attendance was taken.

There was an opportunity for public comment during the meetings.

5/15/2025 Clackamas County Commissioner Business Meeting Discussion:

The new county courthouse, while desperately needed, will be leaving the old one vacant,

resulting in a potential problem for local businesses along main street Oregon City. Being a

historically significant area for the state of Oregon, there remains an incentive for keeping the

main street avenue an attraction for visitors. The public comment section of the meeting consisted of

local business owners voicing concerns about the future of the old courthouse building site, the

speakers voicing support of tearing down the old courthouse and replacing it with multi housing units

and parking spaces, with the intent of promoting the survival of local businesses. It appeared that

there was a single proposal, while endorsed by nearly all attendees … created the optics of

non-competitiveness … decisions to follow.

A second issue which came up was the possible purchase by the county of the Bob’s Red Mill

Store for use by the 4H program. There was pressure for the commission to decide by 5 pm on

that day if they were going to ‘intend’ to purchase the site. There was eventually an agreement

by the commissioners to sign a letter stating “intent to consider” the purchase.