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Committee refers ordinance to acquire easements for 80 Second Avenue safety improvements
Summary
PBOT told the committee it needs permanent and temporary easements from seven property owners to build signal, sidewalk and median improvements on 80 Second Avenue; the committee voted to send the eminent‑domain authorization to full council with a recommendation to adopt.
The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on July 21 recommended that City Council consider an ordinance authorizing the Portland Bureau of Transportation to acquire certain permanent and temporary property rights, including by eminent domain if necessary, to construct the Gleeson and Davis signal improvements on 80 Second Avenue.
PBOT project manager Brianna Orr said the project stems from the jurisdictional transfer of 80 Second Avenue and the bureau’s Build a Better 80 Second Avenue plan. The project includes two upgraded traffic signals (at Gleeson and Davis), new Americans with Disabilities Act ramps and push buttons, sidewalk widening on the east side, concrete separators and median islands, landscaping, new lighting, inlet upgrades and limited pavement repair on Northeast Davis. Orr said 80 Second Avenue and the Gleeson intersection are among the city’s highest‑collision locations; staff reported 236 collisions over the past 10 years, including eight serious injuries and two deaths in that period and a separate death in 2023.
Carly Ruggles, PBOT right‑of‑way agent, said easements are required from seven property owners (one owner holds two parcels) and include five permanent easements and eight temporary construction easements. Staff said property owners have been notified by certified mail and that PBOT will continue property‑level outreach; if negotiations fail the city may proceed to condemnation to secure the rights needed to build the project. Orr said about 1,100 people have been engaged in project outreach across surveys, open houses, stakeholder meetings and events.
Councilors asked whether acquisitions would cause displacement; PBOT staff answered that these are small commercial acquisitions and that no permanent displacement is expected. PBOT also confirmed it is coordinating with TriMet on BRT‑related changes and that the FHWA funding for the project is routed through ODOT and is considered stable.
The committee voted by roll call to refer ordinance document number 2025‑5286 to full council with a do‑pass recommendation; Koyama Lane, Murillo, Green and Chair Clark recorded ayes and the clerk announced the motion carried with four ayes.
Next steps: PBOT will proceed with negotiations and offer just compensation to affected property owners and, if necessary, seek condemnation authority from council to obtain easements needed for design and construction.
