passed ordinance 2025-329

Declare property located on SE 21st Ave and SE Powell Blvd as surplus property and authorize the City Administrator to dispose of the property at fair market value

housing
transportation
property

Department: Bureau of Fleet and Facilities
Service area: City Operations
Introduced by: Mayor Keith Wilson
Status: Passed

Impact statement

Purpose & background

The parcel was acquired in 1978 in conjunction with the reconstruction of SE Powell Boulevard by the State of Oregon Department of Transportation and was intended to be used as a parking lot to compensate for the removal of parking along Powell Boulevard for the benefit of local businesses. The parcel has been awkward in its use as parking due to the lack of a flow-through entry/exit system. Autos have difficulty maneuvering as they attempt to exit due to the single drive lane and angled parking design. As a consequence of this and the fact that Powell Boulevard is a busy 5-lane state highway (SR 26) with the majority of retailers such as auto repair and mini-marts containing dedicated parking, the lot was rarely used. In recent years the city has struggled to maintain the site due to unauthorized camping, and in 2024 erected a fence to discourage litter and illegal activities.

Financial impacts

Proceeds from the sale of this property were not specifically budgeted in FY 2025-26. The proceeds will be held in a special account in Facilities with other sale proceeds for funding real property initiatives benefitting the City.

Economic impacts

The property is currently vacant, and this action will place it back into production and bring it back onto the tax rolls.

Community impacts

The property has not been of benefit to the community-at-large for several years, whereas the community will benefit from placing the property back on the tax rolls.

▸ Full text (the legislation as adopted)

The City of Portland ordains. Section 1. The Council finds: The City owns a 2,900 square foot vacant lot located at SE 21 st and SE Powell, also described as R105838 (“City Property”). The City Property is assigned to the Bureau of Fleet and Facilities (BFF) in its asset portfolio. BFF has determined that it has no current or future use of the City Property, particularly given that its anomalous in BFF’s asset portfolio as all other sites owned and operated by BFF have either a public safety function or are part of its downtown office space portfolio and therefore has declared it as excess to BFF’s needs. In accordance with the City' s Disposition of City Real Property policy, ADM-13.02, BFF offered the City Property to other City Bureaus (“Bureaus”). After a 21-day waiting period, no other Bureaus expressed interest in adding the City Property to their portfolios. However, two Bureaus identified real property fixtures to be conveyed and disclosed with a sale of the City Property: the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT)’s soundwall and guardrail; and the Bureau of Environmental Services (BES)’ stormwater pipe and sump. All portions of ADM-13.02 Disposition of City Real Property have been followed. BFF has received a Commercial Broker' s Opinion of Value and will sell the property on the open market. No changes or additions to the current budget will be made. No changes to personnel or maintenance schedules will be needed as a result of this transaction. NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs: The City Property is declared as surplus and not needed for public use. The City Property will be disposed by sale on the open market. The City, through its City Administrator in consultation with the Mayor, is authority to execute on behalf of the City, any and all documents required for disposition and conveyance of title to the City Property. All documents shall be subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney’s Office.

Tally

12 yea 0 nay