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Council adds emergency clause and approves Northeast Shaver sidewalk eminent domain ordinance

5914627 ยท October 9, 2025
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Summary

Council added an emergency clause and approved an ordinance authorizing use of eminent domain to acquire temporary rights for construction of the Northeast Shaver sidewalk project; council discussion identified funding from ODOT safe-routes grants and other sidewalk programs.

Portland City Council on Wednesday approved an amended ordinance authorizing the Bureau of Transportation to acquire temporary rights through the exercise of the city's eminent domain authority for the Northeast Shaver sidewalk project (NE Shaver, 100th to 115th Avenue). Council also approved an emergency clause so work can proceed without delay.

Council action and amendment: Councilor Pearl Guinea (recorded in the meeting text as the sponsor of the posted amendment) moved to add an emergency clause that would place the ordinance into effect immediately; Councilor Ryan seconded the amendment. The amendment passed on a roll-call vote (9 yes, 1 no) and the amended ordinance then passed on a roll-call vote with 10 yes votes.

Funding and scope: Bureau staff and a public-right-of-way acquisitions supervisor explained the project is partially funded by Oregon Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School grants. During discussion, Councilor Zimmerman noted presentation figures showing $2,000,000 from ODOT, $1.5 million for fixing streets and $1.4 million for sidewalks to schools, with a referenced total of 4.9 (million). Staff said the emergency clause was requested so the bureau could meet grant timelines and begin work promptly.

Why it matters: The ordinance enables the city to secure temporary construction rights necessary for sidewalk construction, which proponents said is tied to school safety and pedestrian connectivity. Adding an emergency clause accelerated the ordinance's effective date so work tied to grant funding could begin sooner.

Next steps: With the ordinance adopted as amended, the Bureau of Transportation may move forward with required temporary acquisitions and start project work consistent with grant terms.