Vancouver council approves condemnation ordinance to secure land for roundabout at Innovation Center

Vancouver City Council on Monday approved an ordinance authorizing the city to pursue condemnation to acquire about 4,529 square feet of right of way at the northwest corner of the intersection created by the Vancouver Innovation Center project to build a roundabout. The vote was unanimous.

City Transportation Manager Ryan LaPosa told the council the roundabout was chosen after traffic analysis of the proposed street extension through the former Hewlett‑Packard property, now the Vancouver Innovation Center, and as a measure to calm traffic on the 170 Sixth Avenue corridor. LaPosa said the city has already acquired the southwest corner property but has been unable to reach settlement with the homeowners association that owns the northwest tract identified as "Tract A." He said the city placed a value of about $24,500 on the needed parcel and has extended offers to the HOA.

The ordinance authorizes the city attorney to file eminent domain proceedings if negotiations fail, but LaPosa and staff said their immediate goal is to continue negotiating and to resolve the acquisition without litigation. LaPosa said, "Roundabouts have become a more preferred option here in the city for intersection control." He added that the design will require removal of one tree in the northwest corner; remaining trees are outside the roundabout footprint.

At the public hearing, resident Carmen De Leon opposed the use of eminent domain and criticized homeowners associations and the development process more broadly. De Leon said residents adjacent to projects are not always informed and questioned whether the buying parties of the former Hewlett‑Packard site would prioritize U.S. manufacturing. City staff and the council allowed the public comment before resuming the hearing.

Councilor Stober moved to adopt the condemnation ordinance; Councilor Harless seconded. The roll call vote recorded Councilors Harless, Perez, Paulson, Stober and Hansen and Mayor Anne McInerney Ogle as voting "aye." The motion passed.

The ordinance instructs the city attorney to prosecute eminent domain proceedings if necessary and directs staff to continue negotiations with the HOA in hopes of a negotiated settlement. City staff said they are prepared to proceed to court if talks fail, but they expressed confidence that an agreement remains possible.

The council did not set a construction schedule in the hearing. Staff said additional design and right‑of‑way work is tied to the developer's site plan for the Vancouver Innovation Center and that acquisition is one step to allow the intersection control improvements to proceed.