Housing Services:
U.S. Dept. of Defense Surplus Properties Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Frequently Asked Questions

2nd Lt. Alfred Sharff and Sgt. Jerome Sears Army Reserve Centers

How will it be decided which reuse options will be supported in the plans?

Potential reuse options for the sites will be evaluated for how well they fit with:

1. Zoning (and other site regulations): Would the reuse option be allowed under the existing zoning?  Would it require a conditional use permit or a change in zoning? 
2. Physical characteristics of the site: Does the reuse option fit well with the site’s existing condition? (environment, utilities, traffic access, infrastructure) Are there any potential negative impacts associated with the reuse? (increased traffic, noise)
3. Neighborhood fit: Would the reuse option fit within the existing neighborhood character?  Would the reuse option provide needed services or infrastructure not currently present in the neighborhood? Would the community support the reuse option? 
4. Market demand: Is there a market demand for this type of reuse? Would the reuse option be able to remain on the site long-term?
5. City policy: Does the reuse option address any city policies or needs?  Does the reuse option provide community benefit in line with city policy? 

Who makes the final decision on what plans are sent on to Washington?

The Local Redevelopment Authority (the Portland Development Commission) is responsible for facilitating the planning process and writing the reuse plans.  However, final approval of the plans must come from the City Council prior to their submission to the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Does the Department of Defense have to do what the reuse plans say?

No.  The Department of Defense (DoD) has the final authority to determine how the sites are reused after their closure in 2011.  DoD must take the local reuse plans into consideration when determining the sites’ reuse; however, they are not bound to follow the local reuse plans.

Why doesn’t the Department of Defense simply transfer the sites to the Oregon National Guard?

The Oregon National Guard applied with DoD for consideration to occupy the sites prior to the start of the local reuse planning process.  However, their application was denied based on a ruling by DoD. The Oregon National Guard is one reuse option being considered in the local reuse planning process; however, DoD has indicated that the Oregon National Guard would not be eligible as a public benefit conveyance option or for a discount on purchase price of the sites.

What is happening at the Sharff and Sears sites?

The Department of Defense is closing the Sharff ARC (8801 N. Chautauqua Blvd.) and Sears ARC (2730 SW. Multnomah Blvd.) as part of the 2005 round of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) actions.

What is BRAC?

The federal Defense Base Realignment and Closure Act mandates a process for closing and realigning military installations within the U.S. In 2005, the President and Congress approved a list of BRAC installations. Sharff and Sears ARCs are two of the installations selected for closure. All 2005 BRAC closures and realignments are to be completed by September 15, 2011.

How does BRAC operate?

The BRAC process is governed by federal laws and regulations. The federal process is as follows:

• Step 1. Military installations are listed for closure or realignment.
• Step 2. The Department of Defense determines if other military branches have a need for any of the installations listed for closure or realignment.
• Step 3. After all the military branches have reviewed the available installations the
• Department of Defense makes any remaining property available to other federal agencies.
• Step 4. If there is remaining property, local government in the area is approached about its interest in the property and creating a Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA) to oversee a reuse planning process.
• Step 5. If the local officials create an LRA, it is then responsible for giving notice of the property’s availability for homeless service and other eligible public uses and developing a reuse plan for the property.  Federal law requires that the reuse plan balance the needs of the homeless and other community needs.
• Step 6. The Department of Defense and the Department of Housing and Urban Development receive and review the reuse plan and any homeless assistance submissions.
• Step 7. The Department of Defense will consider the community reuse plan in making final decisions about property conveyance.

What does this mean for Sharff and Sears BRAC processes?

The City of Portland has requested that the Portland Development Commission (PDC) be appointed by the Department of Defense as the Local Reuse Authority (LRA) for both sites. PDC, in cooperation with the Bureau of Housing and Community Development, has publicly announced the availability of these properties for homeless and public benefit conveyances. Notices of Interest (NOIs) were received by the LRA from entities serving homeless and public benefit conveyance uses. The LRA reviewed these notices and referred non-homeless assistance submissions to the appropriate Federal agencies, as designated in BRAC regulations.  The LRA is working with the homeless assistance agencies to prepare the required homeless assistance submissions to be attached to the reuse plans.  Additionally, the LRA is working to complete thorough physical and market analyses of the sites and coordinate public input to guide development of the sites’ reuse plans. 

Following approval by the City Council, the LRA will deliver the reuse plans and homeless assistance submissions to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Defense. The Department of Defense, working with HUD’s input, will make final property disposition decisions. In implementing the Department of Defense’s property decisions, the federal government can convey at no cost, or reduced cost, property requests for homeless and public benefit uses. All other uses involve sale at fair market value.

What is the local involvement in this process?

While much of the BRAC closure process for Sharff and Sears ARCs occurs at the federal level because they are federal facilities and the Army Reserve/Department of Defense make the final decisions on the disposal of the property, there is a local portion of the process. The local process allows the city to influence the final federal decisions. Without the LRA there would be no ongoing local involvement in what happens when the Army Reserve departs.

For what purposes can the property be used?

The property can be used to serve the homeless, for public purposes such as education, parks, and public health, or for other uses needed in the community. The Department of Defense will sell any land that is not part of a homeless request or public benefit conveyance. If property is sold the purchaser can use the land for any purpose permitted by the City's zoning designation.

Who ultimately decides how the sites are reused?

The Department of Defense has final disposition authority for both sites.  As the property owner, it will make all final decisions on sale and/or conveyance of the sites.  By federal regulation, the Department of Defense is required to take into full consideration the local reuse plan, but they are not obligated to implement those plans in full.

How much property is available and what is the zoning?

• The Sharff site totals approximately 4.9 acres and is zoned R7, meaning it is zoned residential with a maximum density of one unit per 7,000 ft².
• The Sears site totals approximately 3.7 acres and is zoned R1, meaning it is zoned multi-family residential with a maximum density of one unit per 1,000 ft².

How can I be involved?

The public will be involved in the LRA’s reuse planning process. Following the collection of data on existing site conditions and the initial evaluation of NOI submissions, the LRA will convene public meetings to review the data and submissions and gather input on the development of reuse alternatives for both sites.  These meetings are anticipated to take place in late July and August.  Based on the collected data and community input, the LRA and other stakeholders will work to develop reuse alternatives for both sites.  In September, public meetings will be organized to allow the community to comment on these alternatives prior to formulation of the final reuse plans.

How will I know of future actions?

In addition to attending the public meetings mentioned above, you can keep informed by checking the PDC website at /housing_services/programs/other_programs/dod_properties.asp and registering for email updates.

for Housing Services' News & Information E-Mail List

We value your input: Let us know what you think about our new website design.

for PDC's News & Information E-Mail Lists
Archive of sent E-Mails
Unsubscribe from our E-Mail Lists