A contractor for the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District has demolished vacant buildings targeted by an arsonist the past week.
THPRD just this morning signed an agreement with Dan Riehl Excavating to demolish a house and garage at the site of a future park in northeastern Washington County. The contractor began work immediately and brought the structures down by noon today.
The district’s original plan was to demolish the buildings this summer, but the process was accelerated after an arsonist struck three times within the past week, with the latest incident occurring the night of April 29. The expedited permits required to move forward with the project were obtained from Clean Water Services and Washington County.
The buildings stood on a 4.4-acre property that THPRD acquired in 2001. Renters occupied the house until about one year ago. Although THPRD plans to eventually convert the land into a neighborhood park, no development funds are available currently.
For details about the joint arson investigation by Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue and Washington County, please refer to www.tvfr.com.
THPRD’s Security Operations Department has worked closely with investigators since the first incident, and that process continues. The district has taken several steps of its own in an attempt to deter criminal activity at the site.
About THPRD
Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2015, THPRD is the largest special park district in Oregon, spanning about 50 square miles and serving 230,000 residents in the greater Beaverton area. The district provides year-round recreational opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. Offerings include thousands of widely diverse classes, more than 90 park sites with active recreational amenities, 60 miles of trails, eight swim centers, six recreation centers, and 1,400 acres of natural areas. For more information, visit www.thprd.org or call 503-645-6433.
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Contact:
Bob Wayt
Director – Communications
503/614-1218 (direct)
503/686-5134 (cell)
Date: May 1, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Click here for official release (PDF).