Portland council adopts citywide Sidewalk Improvement and Paving (SIP) program, directs PBOT to prioritize gaps

Portland City Council on a 11–1 vote adopted a resolution directing the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) to develop a four‑year Sidewalk Improvement and Paving (SIP) program that prioritizes construction and maintenance of sidewalks, alternative pedestrian pathways and pavement maintenance in areas with the largest gaps in pedestrian infrastructure.

The resolution and accompanying program guidance were approved after councilors debated two amendments and additions, including language requiring PBOT to use a bureau‑developed anti‑displacement framework called the Building Belonging Guide alongside an equity matrix and existing transportation plans. Council President (presiding) said the program will “improve safety and accessibility for all residents through the sidewalk improvement and paving program.”

Why it matters: councilors framed SIP as a targeted, multi‑year effort to correct long‑standing inequalities in sidewalk and pavement investment. Sponsors and supporters said the program is intended to speed projects in neighborhoods that lack sidewalks today and create predictable project lists that can be financed and delivered over several years. Opponents of district‑specific language warned that naming particular council districts could set an unfavorable precedent for future citywide programs.

What the council did: the adopted resolution requires PBOT to prepare a prioritized four‑year plan for sidewalks, alternative pathways and pavement maintenance, with attention to safety and equity. Councilors approved an amendment to broaden the definition of eligible facilities to include “alternative pathways” (to allow nonconcrete walking routes where full sidewalk construction is impractical) and accepted an amendment to include PBOT’s Building Belonging Guide as a factor in prioritization. The sponsors and PBOT staff said the guide is an internal PBOT toolkit intended to inform prioritization decisions.

Key debate points: - Targeting vs. citywide equity: Councilor Carmen Avalos (District 1) and supporters urged prioritizing Districts 1 and 4 because maps and data show those districts have the most missing sidewalks. Avalos said, “East Portland has the largest sidewalk gaps in the entire city.” Opponents of naming districts argued the resolution should center equity as a citywide principle rather than listing specific council districts; an amendment to remove district references failed 10–2. - Definition of sidewalks: Councilor Jo Clark and others argued for adding “alternative pathways” to enable low‑cost, accessible paths (for example, protected or surfaced paths instead of full curb‑and‑gutter sidewalks) in steep or resource‑constrained places. That amendment passed unanimously in roll call. - Anti‑displacement: An amendment to add PBOT’s Building Belonging Guide—described by sponsors as a PBOT toolkit for minimizing displacement impacts when installing sidewalks—was adopted after staff explained the guide had been produced by PBOT the prior years and would “help to inform the strategy for how we prioritize.” - Finance and delivery: Councilors asked PBOT and the City Budget Office about funding and phasing. PBOT staff and city budget representatives said a bond financing package under consideration would seek roughly $200 million over a multi‑year horizon, with an execution expectation of about $50 million per year. PBOT staff said they would seek to phase projects and avoid using restricted grant funds for general program work.

Public comment and committee process: PBOT staff and council committee briefings preceded the adoption; community members and neighborhood advocates testified in support of prioritizing missing sidewalks in specific neighborhoods and urged rapid delivery.

Outcome and next steps: the council adopted the SIP resolution as amended. PBOT and the Budget Office will present financing plans (bond proposals and phasing) to the Finance Committee and return to council with a prioritized four‑year SIP list and proposed funding plan.

Votes at a glance (SIP resolution): adopted as amended — tally reported by the clerk: 11 ayes, 1 no. (Councilors present recorded their votes during roll call.)

Implementation notes: PBOT said the program will be block‑by‑block in delivery, will use the equity matrix and the Building Belonging Guide to evaluate potential displacement impacts, and that some projects will require additional design, right‑of‑way or stormwater work before construction.

Sources: City council debate and committee briefings; testimony from PBOT Director Millicent Williams (Director, Portland Bureau of Transportation); council roll call recorded in meeting minutes.