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Council authorizes Water Bureau to acquire easements for Southwest Upper Drive water‑main replacement; eminent domain authorized as last resort
Summary
Council authorized acquisition of 14 permanent and five temporary easements affecting 10 owners for a water‑main replacement project on Southwest Upper Drive, and granted the Water Bureau authority to use eminent domain if negotiations fail. Staff said they have conducted outreach to affected property owners.
Portland City Council considered and referred to second reading an ordinance authorizing the acquisition of certain permanent and temporary property rights necessary for construction of the 3260 Southwest Upper Drive North to 3139 Southwest Upper Drive project to replace an 80‑year‑old water main.
Christopher Hare, council policy analyst, summarized committee action recommending passage. The ordinance would authorize the Water Bureau to acquire 14 permanent easements and five temporary easements affecting 10 property owners, and — if voluntary agreements cannot be reached — to initiate condemnation proceedings under the city charter and applicable Oregon statutes.
Quisha Light, interim director of the Water Bureau, and staff including Ben Garcia and Keith Walker said bureau outreach had contacted most affected owners and clarified that many easement areas are on an existing private access roadway; the project will replace galvanized pipe prone to failure and reduce emergency‑access risks tied to the older, steeper easement alignment.
The ordinance creates a subfund to hold just‑compensation deposits (if court proceedings are necessary) and authorizes payment of relocation benefits and other obligations from the water fund once approvals are complete. Council moved the ordinance to second reading; there was no public testimony at the full council hearing.
Councilors asked staff to ensure robust outreach; staff affirmed ongoing communication with property owners.
