Should Portland declare properties located near the intersections of N Lewis Ave and N Loring St, and N Albina Ave and N River St as surplus property and authorize the…

The City of Portland ordains.Section 1. The Council finds:The City acquired Block 83, Albina, in 2000 for the construction of the Lower Albina Overcrossing project in order to eliminate five at-grade railroad crossings. This full block was bifurcated by a new aerial structure that connected N. Interstate Avenue to N. River Street and also served as the structure's landing. The portions of the block that contained the bridge structure and other street improvements were subsequently dedicated as public right-of-way, and two remnant parcels were created as a result.The first remnant parcel, at the intersection of N Lewis Avenue and N Loring Street, is 12,385 sf. The second remnant parcel, at the intersection of N Albina Ave and N River St, is 4,459 sf. The parcels are respectively identified in Multnomah County Assessor's records as R102697 and R532607 (the Parcels). Legal descriptions and site map of the Parcels are attached as Exhibits A and B respectively, and by this reference incorporated herein. The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) maintains both the bridge structure and the asphalt parking area under the structure and on the Parcels. The asphalt acts as a contamination cap for contaminants from prior industrial uses. Outside of occasional access to the bridge structure, PBOT does not have a transportation related use for the Parcels. Beginning in December 2024, PBOT solicited internal comments from within the bureau and declared the Parcels to be excess to its needs. PBOT worked with the City Real Property Coordinator in accordance with Administrative Rule 13.02 and notified other City bureaus of the intent to dispose of the Parcels. No City bureaus expressed interest in the Parcels, however the Bureau of Environmental Services will reserve two sewer easements for its sanitary sewer facilities across the Parcels, in addition to the access and maintenance easements reserved by PBOT. The City Real Property Coordinator and PBOT solicited external notification, which included posting signage, listing on City website, notifying neighborhood associations, mailing to surrounding properties, and notifying other government agencies. The Parcels are now presented to Council to be declared as surplus property for disposition.Given that the surface of the asphalt cap (aka parking lot) under the bridge structure connects the Parcels, it is anticipated that future owners of the Parcels will want a long-term lease for the right-of-way under the structure. Activating the right-of-way under the bridge with a responsible tenant would provide the City with an on-site presence that would reduce the risk of fire and other damage to this critical asset which is the only public access to the immediate neighborhood. The City's willingness to provide such a lease should result in a higher sales price for the Parcels. NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs:The Parcels are declared as surplus, and Council authorizes PBOT to dispose of the Parcels by sale on the open market.In conjunction with the sale of the Parcels, PBOT is authorized to enter into a long-term lease agreement for the parking lot under the bridge.