Demolition begins on the former Alpenrose Dairy farm site, upsetting many neighbors

BEAVERTON, Ore. (KATU) — It is the end of an era for a historic site in the Portland area. Demolition has begun on the former Alpenrose Dairy farm.

It was home to the Little League Softball World Series for more than a quarter of a century.

The games were moved out of state when the property was sold in 2019.

“In March 2024, we moved all production, distribution, and warehouse operations of Alpenrose Dairy to our Clackamas facility. Therefore, we no longer have any association with the Shattuck Road property,” Dusty Highland, president and CEO of Smith Brothers and Alpenrose, told KATU on Thursday. “We recognize Alpenrose was home to many family traditions and childhood memories. We remain focused on producing the delicious Alpenrose products that generations of families have come to know and love.”

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Our crew spotted what appeared to be a SWAT team training happening on the site, as long-time Portland resident Bernie Colasurdo watched in awe and said, "It's kind of sad to see this 100-year-old dairy go away."

“It used to be like part of the community, [a] fun place. Little League, Babe Ruth, Storybook Lane, Christmas, they had that opera house, and Rusty Nails used to be over here,” he added. “The free ice cream on Sundays, and it was a fun place. “

The demolition is happening as developers make way for a massive housing project with plans for 260 homes.

Concerns about the project's impact seem to be rising faster than the new walls.

"So just the increased volume of cars and vehicles that would be entering and exiting in front of our houses is a huge concern for us," Brian Boehne told KATU from his home right across the 50-acre land. "We know that the development is going to happen and that's OK. We know there's a need for housing, but I think the scope and the extent of the project is too much."

Although he plans to stay with the change, others like Colasurdo say they've had enough.

"We're moving, we're getting out of there, not gonna stay here, 'cause this neighborhood's gonna be pretty bad," he said.