It has come to our attention that there is a move to sell the Historic Kenton Firehouse because the City of Portland is facing a financial shortfall.  I'm writing to gain support that this action be postponed allowing the newly elected city councilors time to consider the matter as part of their long-term vision for our community and to transfer ownership of the Kenton Fire House to our non-profit Friends of ours PDX. a 501c3 non-profit organization.

The Historic Kenton Firehouse is a timeless fixture within the North Portland community.  It serves members of the greater community as, a meeting place, a seat for state and local government officials, home for the North Portland Tool Library, and many other local functions.

It bears mentioning that between 1973-1976 the local community, not city coffers, raised over $700,000, and provided countless hours of donated labor to renovate and upgrade the building and make it the functional property it is today.  There is a place for the Historic Kenton Firehouse in the new City-District 2, and to continue serving many other valuable functions to the local North Portland community at large.

Like many in our community, the Kenton Firehouse holds a special place in my heart, serving as an anchor within our neighborhood. Not just to me, but to 10 other neighborhoods, this firehouse isn't merely a building, but also a home base. It's the site where we host our association meetings, the postal nexus for various non-profits, and crucially, the housing for our beloved Tool Library.

From this perspective, it's a lifeline for our community; a central organ that keeps us knitted together, attending to its steady beat. We must now rally to protect this invaluable resource that is currently at risk. Our goal is simple: to request the city council to transfer the ownership of the Kenton Firehouse to Friends of Ours PDX, a dedicated 501c3 organization.

The Friends of Ours PDX are perfectly suited for this task. They not only share but embody the communal ethos inseparable from the firehouse itself. By handing the firehouse's stewardship to them, we ensure it remains a community-accessible building, where the rhythm of neighborhood life will continue unabated.

Join us in our plea to the city council, lending your voice to a cause rooted in community and mutual aid. Your signature is more than a mark; it's a universal commitment to keeping our neighborhood vibrant and integrated. Please sign this petition and help keep Kenton Firehouse as a community hub.