House passes Rose Quarter right-of-refusal bill directing offer to Albina Vision Trust

The House passed Senate Bill 11 82 on Friday, giving Albina Vision Trust a statutory right of first refusal on certain properties created through the Interstate 5 Rose Quarter highway cover project.

Representative Nelson, a co-carrier on the measure, told colleagues the Rose Quarter project presents a "once in a generation opportunity to repair harm and return agency to the very communities" displaced when I-5 was built through Portland's Lower Albina neighborhood. She noted that Albina Vision Trust had helped secure substantial federal funding for the project, and that the bill is intended to prioritize community-led redevelopment.

Supporters said the bill ensures the land created by the highway cover will be offered to the community before other sales, with independent appraisal steps and legislative transparency built into the process. Representative Nelson emphasized local control: "It simply puts the people most impacted at the front of the" decision-making, she said.

Representative Sanchez, a co-carrier, and other members spoke in favor of the bill as a restorative development opportunity. Representative Mannix also supported the measure and noted legislative safeguards including independent appraisal to confirm fair market value.

The clerk opened the voting system and the clerk declared Senate Bill 11 82 passed after it received the constitutional majority. The bill directs ODOT and partner entities to follow the statutory process for any surplus property from the Rose Quarter project and envisions cooperative planning with the Albina Vision Trust.