Junk Yard Proposed for Ames/West

LKQ of Tualatin, OR has proposed an auto salvage yard at the site of the former Taylor Instruments plant at the NW corner of Ames Street and West Avenue.  The site is directly across the street from homes on West Avenue and Ames Street, as well as the Danforth Recreation Center and senior towers.  The 19th Ward Community Assocation Executive Committee has discussed the issue and has expressed major concerns about the proposal.  The issue will be discussed at the April Delegates’ Council meeting, and a decision will be made as to whether the 19th WCA will oppose the proposal.  The Sector 4 Community Development Corporation is opposing the proposal, and the Dutchtown Neighborhood Association and Sector 3 are also raising concerns.

The proposed salvage yard would use the entire 14.5 acre site, and would take in end-of-life cars, dismantle them, and offer parts for sale to the public.   The proposal calls for a 3,600 square foot sales building, a 14,100 square foot 3-sided building for auto dismantling and crushing, a 200-car parking lot for customers, and a 1300-car yard for storing cars that are to be dismantled.  The storage yard would be surrounded by a utilitarian 8’ solid metal fence.  LKQ estimates that the salvage yard would hire 18 employees.

Concerns have been raised that the tax revenue and jobs generated by the proposed salvage yard would be offset by the decline in property values on surrounding streets and the loss of marketability of commercial space on West Ave.  The proposal would have a direct impact on homes on West Avenue and Ames Street, and it would be within the line of site of homes on Appleton, Somerset, Thorndale and Danforth.  Ames Street is a gateway to the northern 19th Ward from I-490 and the Dutchtown neighborhood.

The 19th WCA welcomes the input from all members of the SW community on this issue.