Portland State University. Image credits: Wikimedia Commons
In February 2008, a month later, TriMet sent Acker’s firm a letter stating that its project and the university’s project would proceed without buying or demolishing Figo House. TriMet spent $2 million to beautify the immediate area around the property, a figure Acker cited. Construction of Portland State University’s $90 million College Station residence hall began in February 2011, as reported by Oregon Live and cited by the legal blog Inverse Condemnation; Oregon Business reported the same figure. In 2011, Acker attached 400 helium-filled balloons to the Figo House’s chimney, drawing a comparison with the house in Pixar’s Up, as The Oregonian reported. In November 2006, Oregon voters approved Measure 39, which restricted the use of condemnation for private gain. The Pacific Legal Foundation noted that Measure 39 passed by more than a two-thirds margin. The Oregon Secretary of State’s official results for the November 7, 2006 general election show that 881,820 voters, or 67.13 percent, voted in favour of the measure.
On January 7, 2008, The Oregonian published an editorial titled “Leave the House Alone,” as the Oregon State Bar Bulletin documented. Mike Robertson, general superintendent of construction for the joint venture building the Green Line, said he acted as a liaison between TriMet, the city and Acker, and that he and Acker developed a cordial relationship. Acker thanked the agency for that, said he appreciated public transportation, and added that he had hoped eminent domain would produce better results in the future. Bill Bayless, CEO of American Campus Communities of Austin, Texas, said the house’s position was typical of Portland. The above-mentioned study also examines how states have redefined “public use” in legislation.
College Station rises around the house Construction of the dormitory took place within the surrounding area. During the groundbreaking held in March, the university representatives and contractors dropped by the Figo House with cookies and hard hats. The conflict also took place amid statewide changes. His property stands as the only one on the street, with a dormitory behind it and a law office within it.
In February 2008, TriMet told Portland business lawyer Randal Acker that its transit project and Portland State University’s dormitory project would go ahead without buying or demolishing his 1894 Queen Anne house near the university. Portland State University held a portion of Block 158 while TriMet held the rest. As a result, Acker asked for TriMet’s emails about this project for three years, as the same publication describes.
TriMet would buy the remaining land parcels and PSU would donate its shares under a memorandum of understanding between them, according to Willamette Week. The dispute began after Acker bought the house. It turned out that the intention was to give the land to the university, which was going to build a large dormitory on the site that included Acker’s parcel. Also, he questioned how getting rid of the existing businesses would benefit the public interest.
A records request, neighborhood support and an editorial page all played a part before the agency that wanted the land stepped back.
