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City, ODOT agree to land swap to clear path for Steel Bridge skate park
Summary
The council heard a first reading on a land exchange with the Oregon Department of Transportation to consolidate property at the west end of the Steel Bridge so Portland Parks & Recreation can build the long‑planned skate park; second reading is set for March 19.
Portland Bureau of Transportation staff and Portland Parks & Recreation presented a proposed property exchange with the Oregon Department of Transportation on March 5 designed to consolidate rights at the west end of the Steel Bridge and enable construction of the long‑planned Steel Bridge skate park.
PBOT real‑property supervisor Kevin Balak said the swap would trade the city’s undivided interest in a remnant parcel near the Interstate 405 and Southwest Naito Parkway interchange for ODOT’s undivided interest in property at the west end of the Steel Bridge. PBOT and ODOT staff told council the parcels are remnants of 1940s freeway alignment and that both agencies agreed the exchange creates a consolidated parcel more suitable for park development; both parties agreed no cash compensation is needed because the undivided interests have comparable value.
Portland Parks project manager Travis Rubal said the new park has been in planning for more than 20 years and that the city allocated $15 million in SDC funds in FY23–24, with Prosper Portland adding additional project funding. Rubal said council approval of the land swap would allow Parks to proceed with community engagement, site investigation and design work and that staff will then finalize easements and maintenance agreements with PBOT, ODOT and TriMet.
Invited testimony: Ryan Hashigen, director of the Steel Bridge Skatepark Coalition, told council neighborhood advocates and park advocates have worked for decades on the project and thanked city and state staff, Portland leaders and community partners for the agreement.
Process and next steps: PBOT staff asked the council to declare the city parcel surplus under internal administrative rules and authorize staff to execute the deed exchange; the council heard the item as first reading and staff said it will return for second reading on March 19. Staff said they will record the deeds, have Parks assume day‑to‑day control of the skate‑park property and establish protective easements to preserve ramp access for PBOT and TriMet operations.
