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Board approves resolution to begin acquiring easements for Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge
Summary
The Board approved a resolution to begin right-of-way actions and negotiations for 43 remaining easements (32 temporary, 11 permanent) needed for the Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge project; staff emphasized negotiations and that settlements over $25,000 will return to the Board.
The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners on Thursday approved a resolution of necessity that authorizes county staff to begin acquiring the remaining easements and pursue negotiations needed for the Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge project.
John Hendrickson, the county—s transportation division director and project engineer, told the board the request covers 43 remaining easements: 32 temporary easements and 11 permanent easements needed for demolition, material staging, temporary detour improvements and inspection and maintenance space for the new bridge. Hendrickson emphasized that the action opens negotiation and appraisal steps, but does not commit the county to purchase until settlements are brought back for approval.
"Today I'm requesting approval of a resolution of necessity for the remaining 43 easements needed for the project," Hendrickson said, outlining map groupings and the specific work each easement would enable.
Public commenters raised concerns about demolition, relocation and the project—s impact on nearby services. Lightning, a public speaker, asked whether the county had considered buying properties outright rather than using temporary easements and urged two appraisals and higher compensation; Prince Charles Johnson asked the county to consider impacts to the Burnside skatepark and to neighborhood services that provide meals to people experiencing homelessness.
Board members asked staff how the easement timeline would align with final funding for the bridge and whether easements could be staged to avoid long-term vacancy or demolition without active construction. Hendrickson said easements have end dates and that the current step simply opens appraisal and negotiation; any settlements over $25,000 will return to the Board for separate approval. He said formal acquisition conversations will proceed only after the board approves the resolution and that property owners had been engaged informally prior to this step.
A roll-call vote recorded the resolution as adopted.
