The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Jan. 12 voted unanimously to forward an ordinance that would exempt certain requirements in city code chapter 17.93 so Portland State University can rename a portion of Southwest Jackson Street to Southwest Rose Hill Street.

Diego read Item 3, which staff described as a narrow, case-specific legislative action to allow PSU27s application to proceed. PBOT and DCA staff said the requested exemptions respond to three specific subsections of chapter 17.93: (1) the requirement that a commemorative name be for a person deceased at least five years (Itway Rose Hill died in October, less than five years ago); (2) the rule that a street27s name must apply to its entire length (PSU27s proposal covers three downtown blocks from SW 5th Avenue to SW Park Avenue); and (3) related procedural limits on processing and implementation timing.

PSU representatives and community witnesses gave extensive testimony. Cynthia Carmina Gomez (PSU) described Rose Hill27s role in creating the Native American Student and Community Center and argued the change aligns the campus27s public geography with institutional values. Student speakers, tribal elders and neighborhood leaders told personal stories about Rose Hill27s mentorship and the NASC27s importance for student belonging. Xavier De Stichler of the Downtown Neighborhood Association urged the committee to forward a recommendation to full council.

PBOT staff said the bureau supports shortening the dual-signage transition period (city code directs new and old signs to be posted together for five years) and proposed a six-month dual-signage period for this case, after consulting public-safety bureaus, the U.S. Postal Service and implementation partners.

Councilor Murillo moved to send the ordinance (document number 20 26 - 8) to the full council with a recommendation to pass; Councilor Smith seconded. The clerk recorded aye votes from Smith, Koyama Lane, Murillo, Green and Clark and the motion carried 5-0.

The committee27s action allows PSU to continue its application process under the statutory review sequence laid out in chapter 17.93. The ordinance and staff recommendations will go next to the full City Council.