PORTLAND, Ore. — Mayor Ted Wheeler announced on Sunday that an “agreement in principle” had been reached to reopen the street and sidewalks near the Red House on North Mississippi Avenue.
"This agreement is an important step toward de-escalation and a long-term resolution for the neighborhood and the Kinney family," he said. "I maintain measured optimism that we can accomplish this step and move toward the next steps to advance the safety and well-being of the family and the safety of the neighborhood."
The North Portland home has been the site of clashes between police and demonstrators advocating for a Black and Indigenous family to stay and not be evicted. At least two blocks of Mississippi Avenue had been closed with barricades during the ongoing protest.
Demonstrators worked for much of the afternoon to clear the blockade.
The Kinney family had owned the home for decades. A crowdfunding effort to save the house has ramped up, raising over $300,000.
When asked if the family would use the money to buy back the house, William Kinney III said negotiations are underway but that it's too soon to tell how things will play out.
It recently came to light that the family has a second North Portland home less than two miles away with a market value of $600,000.
"That residence belongs to my grandmother, and my aunt is the trustee of my grandmother's estate," Kinney explained. "We have some family members that have stepped up and allowed us to not be homeless under the Burnside bridge."
Other than that, Kinney said he's been living in hotels or tents at the "Red House." He added that there have been promising developments. He said his family has been in talks with Mayor Ted Wheeler's office as recently as Friday.
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"We all want to reach the common goal, which is restoring the Kinney home to my family," said Kinney. "So we're at the table and I can say we are moving in the right direction."
A judge ordered the family out of the home back in February, before an eviction moratorium was put into place because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Roman Ozeruga, the developer who bought the house in 2018 at a foreclosure auction, said he's looking for ways to end the conflict.
In a statement to KGW, Ozeruga said he's willing to sell the home back to the family.
"We have not been contacted by Urban Housing Development and there have not been any offers made," said Kinney, "and so we are just now sitting at the table. The developers want to give the Kinney home back, which is a good gesture on their part."
Mayor Wheeler tweeted earlier this week that he has authorized the Portland Police Bureau to use "all lawful means to end the illegal occupation" at the Red House. KGW has not seen police at the home since Tuesday, when they made multiple arrests.
Here's the mayor's full statement:
My goal remains finding a peaceful resolution to the situation on North Mississippi Avenue. My focus has been on protecting lives.
An agreement in principle we reached late Saturday evening will result in the re-opening of the streets and sidewalks in the area near the Red House on Mississippi. This agreement is an important step toward de-escalation and a long-term resolution for the neighborhood and the Kinney family.
I maintain measured optimism that we can accomplish this step and move toward the next steps to advance the safety and well-being of the family and the safety of the neighborhood.
I also want to acknowledge the neighbors and the challenges this situation created for them. Thank you for your patience and understanding while we took the time needed to try to resolve what is a very dangerous situation.