Committee backs land swap with ODOT to expand Southwest NATO safe rest village

The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on July 21 recommended that the City Council declare a city interest in property along Southwest NATO Parkway surplus and authorize a land exchange with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to consolidate ownership of contiguous parcels and allow expansion of an existing Safe Rest Village.

Kevin Balak, a supervisor in PBOT’s Real Property Services Group, explained that the city currently owns a 60% undivided interest in portions of Tax Lot R699857 and ODOT owns the other 40%; in exchange ODOT would convey a 100% fee interest in portions of Tax Lot R713535. An appraisal completed in June 2025 found the city’s interest was valued at $129,000 less than the ODOT property; PBOT proposed to pay the difference from existing surplus land funds and to follow the city surplus disposition policy (ADM‑13.022 A.2) that allows direct disposition to a co‑owner.

Brandy Westerman, Emergency Humanitarian Operations Director for Portland Solutions, said the swap would let the city place sleeping units on the ODOT parcel where rules previously prevented that use. Portland Solutions plans to move pods from the recently closed Peninsula Crossing Safe Rest Village and to expand the NATO site from about 35 sleeping units to about 55. Westerman said the Southwest NATO location has been “one of our most successful Safe Rest Villages” and that about 55% of people who exit that village move into temporary or permanent housing.

PBOT staff described the parcels as remnants of a 1940s-era Harbor Freeway configuration that now sit north of Highway 405 along NATO Parkway. Staff said the parcels involved consist of 23,281–23,810 square feet for the city interest and 15,030 square feet for the ODOT parcel to be acquired by the city. The Portland Water Bureau requires an easement to protect water infrastructure crossing the surplus property; PBOT said no other bureaus requested the land during the citywide surplus review.

Councilors asked procedural questions about the disposal process and confirmed that ODOT runs a parallel surplus determination process. No public testimony was registered. The committee voted by roll call — Koyama Lane, Morio and Green and Chair Clark recorded ayes — and the clerk announced that with four ayes the ordinance will move to full council with a “do pass” recommendation.

Next steps: the ordinance (document number 2025‑5284) will appear on the full council docket for final action; PBOT staff said the swap would enable short‑term expansion of shelter capacity and potential long‑term uses including affordable housing or sale.