Authorize Bureau of Transportation to acquire certain permanent and temporary property rights necessary for construction of the 82nd Avenue: Glisan and Davis Signal Improvements Project through the exercise of the City’s Eminent Domain Authority
The City of Portland ordains.
Section 1. The Council finds:
- The City of Portland may exercise the power of eminent domain pursuant to Section 9-108 of the City Charter and in accordance with Eminent Domain procedures provided for in ORS Chapter 35 (Eminent Domain; Public Acquisition of Property), including those procedures that apply to notification, valuation, negotiation, relocation and early possession if necessary, when the exercise of such power is deemed necessary by the City Council to accomplish public purposes for which the City has responsibility.
- The City of Portland has the responsibility of providing safe transportation routes for commerce, convenience and to adequately serve the traveling public.
- The project known as the 82nd Avenue: Glisan and Davis Signal Improvements Project (the “Project”) has been planned in accordance with appropriate engineering standards for the construction, maintenance, or improvement of said transportation infrastructure such that property damage is minimized, transportation promoted, and travel safeguarded.
- The Project will replace two signals, widen sidewalks and plant trees, and upgrade ADA corner ramps on 82nd Avenue, focusing on the NE Glisan, NE Everett, and NE Davis intersections. The Project will also improve safety through access management. This is a key walking route for students attending Vestal Elementary School and local businesses.
- To accomplish the Project set forth above, it is necessary to acquire the following property interests described and depicted in Exhibits 1 through 27, attached to this Ordinance, and by this reference incorporated herein.
- All affected property owners have been contacted and informed as to the City’s need for certain property rights related to completion of the Project. All affected property owners have been invited, by mailing, to attend the reading of this agenda item.
- Funds are available by the Federal Highway Administration and the Portland Clean Energy Fund.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs:
- That it is hereby declared that it is necessary to acquire the property interests described and depicted in Exhibits 1 through 27 to this Ordinance for the Project, for which the City is authorized by law to acquire property, and that the Project has been planned, designed, located, and will be constructed in a manner which will be most compatible with the greatest public good and the least private injury.
- That the Director of the Bureau of Transportation or designee and/or City Attorney are authorized to acquire necessary temporary rights for the Project under the Eminent Domain Authority of the City, including filing an action to acquire the property interests described herein or negotiating just compensation with property owners within available project budget funds.
- That the power of eminent domain is hereby exercised with respect to each of the interests in property described and depicted in Exhibits 1 through 27. Each is acquired subject to payment of just compensation and subject to procedural requirements of Oregon law.
- That the Bureau of Transportation’s staff and the Office of the City Attorney are authorized to attempt to agree with the owner and other persons in interest as to the compensation to be paid for each acquisition, and, in the event that no satisfactory agreement can be reached, to commence and prosecute such condemnation proceedings as may be necessary to finally determine just compensation or any other issue appropriate to be determined by a court in connection with the acquisition. This authorization is not intended to expand the jurisdiction of any court to decide matters determined above or determinable by the City Council.
- That the Bureau of Transportation is authorized to determine the continuing necessity or propriety of the acquisition authorized by this Ordinance, its quantity, quality, or locality, and to reduce or abandon any acquisition described in Exhibits 1 through 27.
- There is hereby authorized the creation of a sub-fund in the amount estimated to be the just compensation for each interest in the property which, if necessary, shall be deposited with the clerk of the court where an action is commenced.
Official Record (Efiles)
An ordinance when passed by the Council shall be signed by the Auditor. It shall be carefully filed and preserved
in the custody of the Auditor (City Charter Chapter 2 Article 1 Section 2-122)
Passed by Council
Auditor of the City of Portland
Simone Rede
Impact Statement
Purpose of Proposed Legislation and Background Information
The City of Portland may exercise the power of eminent domain pursuant to Section 9-108 of the City Charter and in accordance with Eminent Domain procedures provided for in ORS Chapter 35 (Eminent Domain; Public Acquisition of Property), including those procedures that apply to notification, valuation, negotiation, relocation and early possession if necessary, when the exercise of such power is deemed necessary by the City Council to accomplish public purposes for which the City has responsibility.
The City of Portland has the responsibility of providing safe transportation routes for commerce, convenience and to adequately serve the traveling public.
The 82nd Avenue: Glisan and Davis Signal Improvements Project (the “Project”) will replace two signals, widen sidewalks and plant trees, and upgrade ADA corner ramps on 82nd Avenue, focusing on the NE Glisan, NE Everett, and NE Davis intersections. The Project will also improve safety through access management. This is a key walking route for students attending Vestal Elementary School and local businesses.
To accomplish the Project set forth above, it is necessary to acquire the following property interests described and depicted in Exhibits 1 through 27, attached to this Ordinance and, by this reference incorporated herein.
All affected property owners have been contacted and informed as to the City’s need for certain private property rights related to completion of the Project. All affected property owners have been invited, by mailing, to attend the reading of this agenda item.
Financial and Budgetary Impacts
The Project is funded by Federal Highway Administration and the Portland Clean Energy Benefits Fund. FY 2024-2025 and FY 2025-2026 Budgets, SAP #T01211.
This legislation does not affect staffing levels or result in a new or modified financial obligation or benefit now or in the future.
If City Council does not approve the ordinance, construction of the Project will not be feasible as planned, due to lack of property rights needed to make the improvements.
Economic and Real Estate Development Impacts
Not applicable
Community Impacts and Community Involvement
Public Involvement Timeline:
Extensive community engagement was conducted by the bureau and other agencies over the past 10 years, including:
- Bureau of Planning & Sustainability 82nd Avenue Corridor Study (1980)
- PBOT 82nd Avenue Roses High Crash Corridor Safety Plan (2008)
- Jade District Visioning Plan (2014)
- Portland City Council Town Hall Visioning Forum on 82nd Ave
- ODOT Avenue of Roses Implementation Plan (2018)
- Bureau of Planning & Sustainability 82nd Avenue Study: Understanding Barriers to Development (2018)
- PBOT 82nd Avenue Plan (2019)
- Connected Centers Plan (2019)
- Metro’s Get Moving Regional Funding Measure (2020)
- Grassroots efforts of groups including the 82nd Avenue Improvement Coalition
In 2023, during the preliminary design phase of the Project, the Project team engaged broadly with stakeholders and communities, including community-based organizations, agency partners, school representatives, business managers and owners, property owners and community members. In total, the Project team has engaged over 600 people.
This engagement included:
- Opportunities to provide formal comments on the design, via an in-person workshop and online survey, available in 5 languages most commonly spoken in communities surrounding 82nd
- 11 community meetings
- Tabling at community events
- Email updates sent to over 2,000 subscribers
- 130+ letters mailed to businesses, property owners and residents
- Five 1-on-1 meetings with property owners and Vestal Elementary
In 2024 and 2025, PBOT continued to coordinate with property owners on technical design details. The Project team will continue to notify the broader community of design and construction updates.
100% Renewable Goal
The 100 Percent Renewable Energy Goal is not applicable to this project.
Economic and Real Estate Development Analysis
Analysis provided by Prosper Portland
An Economic and Real Estate Development Impact Analysis was not submitted for this proposed action. Pursuant to City Council Resolution 37664, Prosper Portland staff has reviewed the action and agree that it does not require an Economic and Real Estate Development Impact Analysis.
Financial and Budget Analysis
Analysis provided by City Budget Office
This ordinance authorizes the use of eminent domain to acquire property rights necessary for the 82nd Avenue: Glisan and Davis Signal Improvements Project, with no new financial obligations beyond existing project budgets. The project is fully funded through the Federal Highway Administration and the Portland Clean Energy Fund, as allocated in the FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26 budgets. No impact to staffing levels or future financial commitments is anticipated.
Document History
Document number: 2025-286
President's referral: Transportation and Infrastructure Committee