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Committee authorizes PBOT to begin eminent-domain negotiations for NE Shaver sidewalk; 28 temporary easements planned
Summary
The Finance Committee approved a motion to allow the Portland Bureau of Transportation to negotiate and, if needed, initiate condemnation for temporary construction easements from 28 properties to build a sidewalk on Northeast Shaver Street serving Parkrose schools; funding includes an ODOT Safe Routes to School grant and local sources.
The Portland City Council Finance Committee on Sept. 8 authorized the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) to begin negotiations — and, if negotiations fail, to initiate condemnation — for temporary construction easements needed to build a sidewalk on Northeast Shaver Street between Northeast 102nd and 115th avenues.
Priya Dhanapalay, deputy city administrator for public works, described the Northeast Shaver Sidewalk project as a community-driven Safe Routes to School investment requested by Parkrose School District and neighborhood advocates. PBOT project manager Scott Cohen said the project will provide an ADA-compliant sidewalk, planting strip with street trees, curb ramps, five improved transit boarding areas, seven stormwater facilities in partnership with the Bureau of Environmental Services (BES), and upgraded street lighting.
Cohen said the corridor serves roughly 1,700 Parkrose students, connects to a sidewalk segment PBOT completed in 2024, and is scheduled for construction in 2026. Funding for the project combines a 2021 Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Safe Routes to School grant with local sources including Fixing Our Streets revenue, a local 10-cent gas-tax allocation, and Portland Clean Energy Fund contributions to PBOT’s sidewalks program.
Carly Ruggles, PBOT right-of-way agent, told the committee staff seek authority to offer just compensation for temporary construction easements along frontage areas on 28 properties. Ruggles said the easements are temporary, intended only for construction access and associated driveway and walkway reconnections; PBOT does not expect to acquire permanent easements. She said the city will continue outreach and will mail notices to affected property owners before the council hearing scheduled for Oct. 1.
Committee members asked how many property owners PBOT had directly contacted. Cohen and Ruggles said outreach and notification had been extensive, including meetings with the school district, the Parkrose Neighborhood Association and written notices, but formal property negotiations typically begin only after council authorization, so staff could not provide an exact count of owners with whom formal negotiations had occurred. Ruggles and Cohen said they had received positive feedback and no specific objections to the proposed temporary easements to date.
Councilor Novick moved the motion to authorize PBOT to initiate negotiations and condemnation if necessary; Vice Chair Pertal Guinee seconded. The roll-call vote recorded Aye from Vice Chair Pertal Guinee, Councilor Novick and Chair Zimmerman.
PBOT staff said they do not anticipate condemnation will be necessary but requested the authority to ensure the project can meet the planned schedule if negotiations stall.
The committee’s authorization allows PBOT to provide offers of just compensation and begin right-of-way negotiations; any formal condemnation actions would still follow statutory requirements and be subject to council action.
