The Oregon Health Authority Orders Landlord to Allow Clinic to Erect a PODS Container for Screening Patients

Katherine Durant had earlier denied American Family Urgent Care permission, citing lack of space.

Uptown Plaza. (Aaron Mesh)
By Nigel Jaquiss

The Oregon Health Authority has settled a dispute between Katherine Durant, whose company owns the Uptown Shopping Center in Northwest Portland, and American Family Urgent Care, a tenant that sought to erect a temporary storage facility in the shopping center's lot to triage incoming patients.

Related: An Urgent Care Clinic Wanted to Screen Patients in Parking Lots. Four Landlords Said Yes. Katherine Durant Said No.

After Durant's denial, American Family appealed to the Oregon Health Authority.

In an April 6 ruling, the agency told Durant she must allow American Family to erect a temporary screening facility in the Uptown Center parking lot. The clinic had already received permission from landlords at its four other metro-area locations.

"Triage and screening of patients and visitors prior to entering health care facilities is necessary for limiting the impact of COVID-19 under the current declared emergency," wrote OHA director Pat Allen in the order. "Screening of patients outside of health care facilities is encouraged to limit transmission of COVID-19."

"[Atlas Investments, Durant's company] shall permit AFC Urgent Care to temporarily place a temporary unit in the parking lot for triage or screening activities."

That order will remain in place until the COVID-19 state of emergency is over.

Durant did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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