Finance committee recommends three property actions to full council; all pass committee unanimously

The Portland City Council Finance Committee voted unanimously in committee to recommend three related property actions to full council: (1) declare a small unnamed right of way off Northeast 30th Drive surplus and authorize PBOT to sell it to WPC Marine LLC (agenda item 250); (2) vacate that portion of unnamed road (agenda item 251); and (3) declare a vacant lot at North Midway Avenue and North Columbia Boulevard surplus for sale on the open market (agenda item 252).

WPC Marine sale and vacation (agenda items 250 and 251)

PBOT real property staff presented a paired surplus‑sale and street vacation for a triangular parcel adjoining WPC Marine LLC property north and south of the parcel. Lance Lindahl, PBOT Real Property Services, told the committee the area has never been improved as a public street and city review found no internal bureau interest in retaining it. As conditions of sale, PBOT staff said WPC Marine will grant a 30‑foot‑wide trail easement to support a future extension of the Marine Drive multi‑use path and the city will reserve a 20‑foot‑wide sewer easement over an existing 36‑inch pressurized sewer main.

PBOT calculated net revenue to the bureau from the surplus sale at $310,000 after discounts for the easements and remaining street vacation costs. Lindahl said the project completed the standard street vacation petition and planning notification process; the Planning and Sustainability Commission unanimously approved the vacation after a public hearing and PBOT reported no public objections during the recent city notice period.

Committee action and vote: A motion to recommend the surplus declaration (agenda item 250) passed in committee by voice roll call; members present voted in favor (roll call recorded as Green: Aye; Avalos: Aye; Hertel Guinee: Aye). The companion motion to vacate the road (agenda item 251) likewise passed by recorded aye votes among members present (roll call recorded as Green: Aye; Waveloz: Aye; Pertle Guinee: Aye). Staff said the property remains available for public access in the near term and that a number of private redevelopment and levee projects in the area could reshape the site in coming years.

North Midway / North Columbia surplus (agenda item 252)

PBOT right‑of‑way agent Drew Louder presented a vacant lot zoned R2.5 at North Midway Avenue and North Columbia Boulevard. The city acquired the property in 1948; part of the site was returned to city control following a street vacation in February 2018, and PBOT determined in February 2024 that the lot was no longer needed for transportation purposes. The parcel was submitted for citywide review under administrative policy ADM 13.02 and classified as Category 3, meaning it is eligible to be sold on the open market to the highest bidder if council approves the surplus declaration. PBOT reported no bureau requests or public comments during the 60‑day notice period.

Committee action and vote: A motion to recommend the surplus declaration for item 252 passed unanimously in committee by roll call (recorded as Green: Aye; Amelos: Aye; Bertolgini: Aye). PBOT staff said sale will return the property to the tax rolls and remove ongoing maintenance responsibility from PBOT.

What happens next: All three items were recommended to full council by the finance committee and will be scheduled for full council action. If council approves the surplus and vacation ordinances, PBOT will proceed with the sale to WPC Marine under the stated easement reservations and will advertise the Midway/Columbia lot for sale on the open market under ADM 13.02 procedures.