Salem City Council Approves $1M Land Deal for Affordable Housing

The city plans to use the land for future affordable housing developments.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 9:55pm

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A serene, cinematic painting of a vacant lot or rundown building bathed in warm, golden light, conveying the need for affordable housing in the city.The city's acquisition of this vacant land marks a critical step in its efforts to address the affordable housing crisis through new development.Salem Today

Salem city councilors unanimously approved a $1 million contract to acquire about an acre of land owned by Northwest Human Services, Inc. The city intends to use the land, located at 1797-1809 Evergreen Ave. N.E., for future affordable housing projects. The city will also be responsible for removing an underground storage tank on the property.

Why it matters

With the two properties in hand, the city can more effectively use federal grant money to develop affordable housing, which is a top priority among city leaders and council candidates.

The details

The land acquisition was approved unanimously by the city council, with Mayor Julie Hoy absent. The properties are adjacent to a city-owned lot at 2445 Market St. N.E. that is also intended for affordable housing. Creekside Environmental Consulting has bid $58,300 to complete the work of removing the underground storage tank.

  • On April 13, 2026, the city council authorized the $1 million contract to acquire the land.
  • The city plans to move forward with the land acquisition and storage tank removal.

The players

Julie Hoy

The mayor of Salem, who was absent from the city council meeting where the land deal was approved.

Brian Martin

The public works director who provided the staff report on the land acquisition.

Creekside Environmental Consulting

The company that has bid $58,300 to remove the underground storage tank on the property.

Northwest Human Services, Inc.

The local service provider that currently owns the land the city is acquiring.

Katy Ogdahl

The owner of Closet Revamp, a high-end women's clothing store that the city council approved a lease for at 337 Chemeketa St. N.E.

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What they’re saying

“With the two properties in hand, the city can more effectively use federal grant money to develop affordable housing.”

— Brian Martin, Public Works Director

What’s next

The city will move forward with the land acquisition and storage tank removal in order to prepare the site for future affordable housing developments.

The takeaway

This land deal represents a significant step forward in Salem's efforts to address the city's affordable housing needs, which has been a top priority for city leaders and council candidates.