Adopt the Locally Preferred Alternative for the 82nd Avenue Transit Project and Conditions for Approval
WHEREAS, 82nd Avenue serves as a key transportation and economic corridor, supporting diverse communities and businesses, and providing access to essential services, schools, employment centers, and recreational opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the Portland City Council previously recognized the need for transit improvements along 82nd Avenue and has supported efforts to secure funding and advance planning for enhanced transit service through Council Resolutions 191733 and 37690; and
WHEREAS, in collaboration with Metro, TriMet, the City of Portland, Multnomah County, the Port of Portland, Clackamas County, and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), planning efforts have been undertaken to assess the transit needs and opportunities along the 82nd Avenue corridor; and
WHEREAS, Metro and TriMet convened a Steering Committee comprising representatives from local jurisdictions, community organizations, businesses, and transit users to guide the planning and development of the 82nd Avenue Transit Project (Project); and
WHEREAS, the Project aims to improve transit service along one of Portland’s busiest corridors and highest ridership TriMet bus line, enhancing connectivity, reliability, and accessibility for residents and businesses along 82nd Avenue; and
WHEREAS, the Project will support improved station design, increased transit comfort, speed, and reliability by introducing enhanced service features such as longer buses, transit priority treatments, and optimized route alignment; and
WHEREAS, community engagement has been a critical component of the Project, ensuring that transit investments align with community priorities; and
WHEREAS, that the Council recognizes that lane prioritization for buses requires a balance of benefits and tradeoffs, necessitating robust analysis, clear communication, and public review; and
WHEREAS, the Building a Better 82nd Avenue Plan adopted by City Council on December 4, 2024 has been developed to guide infrastructure investments and safety projects along the corridor and is supportive of the transit project, Council Resolution 37690; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Capital Investment Grant program for Small Starts projects provides discretionary funding opportunities that support transit capital investments, and the Project partners have initiated steps to secure federal funding for the Project; and
WHEREAS, the Steering Committee has recommended a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for the Project, including preferred transit mode, alignment, and station locations, based on technical analysis and community input; and
WHEREAS, the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) allocated funding to support the 82nd Avenue Transit Project and sidewalk enhancements that support tree planting within the 82nd Avenue corridor; and
WHEREAS, in February 2025, PBOT, TriMet and Metro presented the preferred alignment to the Portland Planning Commission for advisement;
WHEREAS, Prosper Portland and the Portland Housing Bureau have established and are administering the 82nd Avenue Area and Sumner-Parkrose-Argay-Columbia Corridor (SPACC) Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts, in co-creation with Community Leadership Committees (CLCs) from those respective districts, which together overlap with the identified LPA project area and with community identified priorities in the 82nd Avenue Development Strategy, and each of those TIF District Plans identifies implementation principles and projects to ensure that current residents benefit from investments and neighborhood change, including via opportunities for housing and economic prosperity; and
WHEREAS, the City of Portland is committed to working with Cully community partners to refine bus layover and bike circulation, ensuring a balanced approach that meets transit terminus needs while maintaining effective bicycle facilities and an effective on-street parking strategy;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Portland adopts the Steering Committee’s Locally Preferred Alternative for the 82nd Avenue Transit Project as Non-Binding City Policy attached as Exhibit A; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Portland supports the transit alignment and the approximate station locations identified on the Proposed Locally Preferred Alternative map attached as Exhibit B; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Portland accepts the Conditions of Approval identified by TriMet, Metro, City of Portland and other regional partners as Non-Binding City Policy attached as Exhibit C; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Portland directs the transit project to leverage opportunities to advance critical infrastructure improvements such as sidewalks and trees; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council gratefully acknowledges the work and dedication of the 82nd Avenue Transit Project Steering Committee and community members who participated in the planning process; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council urges Metro and TriMet to continue prioritizing 82nd Avenue for regional transit investment and high-capacity transit planning efforts.
Exhibits and Attachments
Impact Statement
Purpose of Proposed Legislation and Background Information
The 82nd Avenue Transit Project is an investment to improve transit speed and reliability along one of the City’s most important corridors.
The project addresses longstanding transportation challenges, including slow transit travel times and wide variability in transit travel times throughout the day.
The Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) is the result of a collaborative planning process aimed at delivering improved transit while supporting city and regional goals.
The LPA provides a framework to enhance transit capacity, reducing travel times and improving reliability.
It supports mobility in East Portland, where high demand and limited right-of-way make other transportation expansions challenging.
The project prioritizes transit access, particularly for historically underserved communities, while contributing to regional climate goals
Financial and Budgetary Impacts
The resolution seeks Council approval for the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for the 82nd Avenue Transit Project, defining the transit project route, general station locations, and transit mode, with no immediate funding request.
The project is supported by $5 million for project development funded through PBOT's ARPA allocation. Additional support comes from PCEF, TriMet, and Metro, with a bid for up to $150 million in matching funds from the Federal Transit Administration Small Starts Grant.
A separate agreement is being developed for staff time, and future Council requests may address shared costs for infrastructure improvements and local match requirements
Economic and Real Estate Development Impacts
Public outreach on the elements of the Locally Preferred Alternative (travel mode, general station location, and route) was conducted by TriMet and Metro in partnership with PBOT through surveys, open houses, and focus groups that provided a forum for community members to communicate priorities and concerns.
There is a high level of community support for improving bus reliability and frequency on the bus on 82nd Avenue. Improved transit access and pedestrian safety infrastructure are community priorities. Concerns about stop consolidation affecting mobility impaired were raised.
Small businesses along the corridor may gain from better infrastructure and increased pedestrian traffic. However, they could face temporary disruptions during construction and possible declines in drive-by traffic, depending on future lane allocation.
The recently adopted 82nd Avenue TIF district will generate funding to support affordable housing development over time.
Improved connectivity to neighborhoods including Cully is expected to support community livability, particularly for students and workers reliant on transit.
Community Impacts and Community Involvement
- The project prioritizes safety and infrastructure improvements for historically underrepresented communities, including BIPOC, low-income residents, people with disabilities, and non-English speakers. Public engagement included translation services and focus groups to gather input.
- Improvements focus on improving transit speed and reliability on 82nd Avenue between Clackamas Town Center and the Cully neighborhood.
- Businesses may express concern about changes to 82nd Avenue, but there is support for improved transit and a safer 82nd Avenue.
- Concerns include the potential for gentrification and the potential for impacts on businesses. The recently adopted 82nd Avenue TIF district provides a tool to fund desired community improvement ancillary to transit, including affordable housing.
- The 82nd Avenue Community Coalition has been actively involved and is likely to testify in support of the project.
100% Renewable Goal
- TriMet has committed to a zero-emissions fleet of buses for the new 82nd Avenue FX line
Financial and Budget Analysis
Analysis provided by City Budget Office
The resolution adopts the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for the 82nd Avenue Transit Project, identifying the recommended transit mode, route alignment, and general station locations, but does not immediately authorize expenditure. Initial project development has already been funded through $5 million allocated to PBOT from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Additional funding will be sought from regional partners, including TriMet, Metro, and the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF), along with a proposed request for up to $150 million from the Federal Transit Administration's Small Starts Grant program. Future financial commitments will be addressed through separate Council actions, including potential infrastructure cost-sharing agreements.
Economic and Real Estate Development Analysis
Analysis provided by Prosper Portland
Prosper Portland staff has reviewed the Economic and Real Estate Development Impact Analysis submitted for this action and finds that it satisfies the requirements set forth in City Council Resolution 37664. The analysis is sufficiently detailed and complete to be considered a final statement for purposes of this action.
Document History
Document number: 2025-093
President's referral: Transportation and Infrastructure Committee