News Roundup: Veritas Place, Big Pink, Legin Commons, and more

Veritas Place is part of a larger plan from the Dominican Friars to redevelop four of its five church-owned blocks.

An Early Assistance application was filed for Veritas Place, the first project in a multi-phase redevelopment of property owned by the Dominican Friars in the Lloyd District. The 100% affordable community would include 159 units, reports the Portland Business Journal.

A $3.9 billion RFQ was issued for the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project. The bi-state project intends to hire a contractor in 2027, with construction starting in 2028.

Once the center of Oregon’s casket industry, the Oregon Casket Building is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Current plans would see the long vacant building converted to 34 housing units; a previous proposal to renovate and expand the building for office use was one of the first posts ever on Next Portland.

The Portland Fire and Thorns opened a joint practice facility in Hillsboro, named the Kaiser Permanente Performance Center.

Portland Parks and Recreation is partnering with the United States Tennis Association Pacific Northwest, who will take over operations at the Portland Tennis Center while investing $2.3 million in upgrades.

POD 28 will temporarily close for renovations, reports Bridgetown Bites, with a last day of service September 13th. Next Portland previously covered what the food cart pod will look like when it reopens.

As residents move into the newly completed Legin Commons, Montavilla News writes about a median island planned at the adjacent intersection of SE Division Street and SE 77th Avenue.

Volunteers of America plans to sell three properties it owns at NE 8th & Couch, reports the Daily Journal of Commerce. The proceeds would be go towards planned construction of the VOA Health and Family Services Campus, which would include 100 beds for men and women with children; outpatient treatment; and supportive services.

A replacement for the Keller Auditorium at a new Performing Arts + Culture Center moved a step closer as City Council voted 8-4 to advance plans for a new center for Broadway theater, to be built in partnership between the City of Portland and Portland State University.

Big Pink owner Jeff Swickard floated the idea of a rooftop observation deck at the top of the tower.

With Moda Center renovation talks “stalled”, City Administor Raymond Lee met with Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon.

Portland City Council approved a resolution that starts the process of transferring development rights for sites near the Moda Center to Albina Vision Trust.

Senior housing provider Willamette View plans to break ground on a 92-unit independent living building named Skyline on its campus near Milwaukie, reports the Daily Journal of Commerce.

News Roundup: PSU Performing Arts Center, Moda Center, Lloyd Center, and more

A rendering of the Performing Arts and Cultural Center proposed by Portland State University. As well as a smaller academic theater, the center would include a replacement for the aging Keller Auditorium.

In an 8-4 vote, the Portland City Council voted to advance a term sheet that commits the city to $120 million of funding for a renovation of the Moda Center. Meanwhile, a proposal passed of committee to enter development rights negotiations with Albina Vision Trust for adjacent city owned parcels.

The City Life Committee of Portland City Council voted 4-1 to advance a plan for the PSU Performing Arts Center, which would become the region’s new home for Broadway shows.

Appeals against the Lloyd Center Master Plan failed at City Council. After 66 years, the center closed on August 8th.

The 1803 Fund showed off its vision for The Low End.

A new food cart pod is planned across from Peninsula Park at 6425 N Albina Ave, while south downtown food cart pod Sip & Forage is almost ready to open. Two legacy food carts pods in further north in downtown will close due to the cost of required infrastructure upgrades.

Police raided North Portland’s ‘Red House’ on Mississippi, the scene of large-scale 2020 protests. Its occupant had reportedly been threatening construction workers at the adjacent SEI Mississippi development.

Plans for the redevelopment of The Palms on N Interstate are stalled due to an inability to secure financing.

The James Beard Public Market received its construction permit. The market is set to open in 2027.

The long vacant floating restaurant Newport Seafood Grill at 425 S Montgomery could be converted to wellness concept that would include floating saunas.

Demolition of the Flour Mill at Centennial Mills is due to start today, following an August 2nd fire that ripped through the abandoned structure.

The severely fire damaged Elephants Deli on NW 22nd could reopened with a new food hall and outdoor food carts.

Designs were approved for Los Colibris, a 100 unit affordable housing development that will be first building built as part of the OMSI Master Plan.

News Roundup: The Low End, Darcelle XV Plaza, UO Tykeson Child Behavioral Health Building, and more

A rendering of the 1803 Fund’s vision for The Low End. The organization has now acquired the former manufacturing campus belonging to Streimer Sheet Metal Works, Inc as well as property from Widmer Brothers brewing.

Alaska Airlines continued its expansion at PDX. The airline opened an $18 million Alaska Lounge at the new airport terminal and broke ground on the $150 million Alaska Hangar.

A restaurant might be coming to Tom McCall Waterfront Park, reports Willamette Week. The operators of the Portland Sprit hope to open a new family-style, casual restaurant space in the former Portland Visitor Center building.

The long abandoned Forest Park-In on Skyline Blvd could be coming back to life, according to Willamette Week.

Two separate advisory groups recommended proceeding with the PSU Performing Arts Center proposal to replace the Keller Auditorium. PSU has tapped a team of Colas Development and HMS Developments to develop a hotel that would be built as part of the center.

OPB covered how the 1803 Fund’s vision to revive the Albina neighborhood took a step forward with the purchase of the Streimer Sheet Metal Works campus. The fund hopes to transform the area into a district it has dubbed The Low End.

After a 16-year wait, Portland Public Schools broke ground on a new Cleveland High School, writes the Oregonian.

KPTV covered the groundbreaking for the new Jefferson High School, which will “feature “state-of-the-art” academic, athletic and arts facilities.”

Ribbons were cut at the opening of Darcelle XV Plaza, the Downtown park named for the late drag queen.

The Portland city government sought public input on the $600 million Moda Center renovation plan, wrote the Oregonian. Willamette Week observed that residents of Districts 3 and 4, whose councilors are up for election this year, hold particularly strong views on the matter.

The Daily Journal of Commerce covered the Jamii Court affordable housing development, under construction at the site of a former motel on SW Barbur Blvd.

Building on History both celebrated the renovations at the St Johns Library and lamented the loss of the Blackstone and Martha Washington buildings, being torn down for the PSU New Housing Building.

After a decade and multiple delays, plans have been shelved for the OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital Expansion, reports the Oregonian.

The Portland Business Journal looked at the nearly complete Ukandu Loft. The project transforms “a former Lair Hill office building into a year-round resource and support center for children and families battling childhood cancer.”

DIY skatepark The Courts will have a new home on the PSU campus this August, writes Willamette Week.

OPB covered the groundbreaking for the $83 million UO Tykeson Child Behavioral Health Building at the university’s Northeast Portland campus. The building will provide more space for the still-new Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavioral Health.

After “months of political football“, the Portland Mercury reports that the Portland City Council approved funding for homeownership developments at Williams and Russell and by Self Enhancement Inc.

Oregon and tribal leaders celebrated the groundbreaking for infrastructure at Tumwata Village adjacent to Willamette Falls. Construction of roads through the site will happend over the next 12 to 15 months, reports OPB, with construction of a multi-use space with retail, office and event space and an apartment building to follow.

Valhowlla Park, downtown’s first dog park, opened at SW 11th Avenue and Market Street on the PSU campus.

PSU New Housing Building Approved (images)

A design review has been approved for the Portland State University New Housing Building, a 526-bed student residence hall on the South Park Blocks. The 6-story building will include 269 resident rooms in a combination of bed configurations including singles, doubles, and triples. Other program in the building include common space for residents, a student concierge center, and a new classroom. Design of the project is by GBD Architects.

Southwest Corner (Looking Northeast)
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Under Construction: Pearl District U-Store (images)

This post was originally published August 9th, 2018, and has been updated.

A future U-Store self storage facility at the north end of the Pearl is nearing completion. The six story building was designed by MCA Architects for Hoyt Street Properties. At the ground floor the building will include 6 retail / office units, accessed from a raised dock. The five floors above will include 109,075 sq ft of storage space. As part of the development a new plaza is proposed where NW 13th Ave and Savier St will meet.

U-Store Pearl
Southeast Corner View Closeup
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News Roundup: Center for the Arts, The Callback, Portland Botanical Gardens, and more

The vision for the Center for the Arts at Columbia Palisades includes a main stage theater with 1,250 seats, a black box theater for 300 viewers, an interactive art space and a restaurant.

The Columbian reported that the Center for the Arts at Columbia Palisades in Vancouver moved forward with the release of new renderings of the design by ZGF Architects.

Bridgetown Bites previewed The Callback, a new food cart and bar set to open in the Hollywood District this summer. In advance of its Memorial Day weekend opening, Bridgetown Bites also covered the Fremont Garage.

New retailers and a refreshed food court are coming to Washington Square mall, according to the Oregonian.

Hundreds gathered for the opening of the East County Library in Gresham, reports Willamette Week.

Portland Parks and Recreation has chosen Malcom Reading Consultants to run the design competition for the Tom McCall Waterfront Park Bowl, reports KPTV. Portland Monthly asked whether a makeover of the park could revitalize Portland.

Governor Kotak signed the bill authorizing state funding for a renovation of the Moda Center, however with local funding being “nowhere near a done deal“.

With a now signed agreement for the purchase McCormick & Baxter superfund site, the Portland Botanical Gardens is now one step closer to opening, reports the Oregonian.

High Street Residential is breaking ground on a 369-unit apartment complex at the former Cedar Hills Shopping Center in Beaverton, reports the Portland Business Journal.

Portland’s suspension of Systems Development Charges may be enough to make the five story, 158-unit Rose City Mixed-Use development at NE Sandy & 52nd viable, reports the Daily Journal of Commerce.

The Oregonian took a tour of the McMenamins Taft Hotel project, set to open adjacent to the Crystal Ballroom.

Plans for Centennial Mills may now include the conversion of the former Portland Mounted Police into a nightclub and restaurant, reports the Portland Business Journal.

The 944-page Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project has been published, reports the Daily Journal of Commerce.

The In-N-Out Mill Plain, the first in Vancouver, WA, opened to more hype than hassle.

News Roundup: Sunnyside Medical Center, North Portland Aquatics Center, East County Library, and more

The new Kaiser Sunnyside will replace the existing facility, to be torn down after the new hospital opens in 2029.

Ground was broken on the new Kaiser Permanente Sunnyside Medical Center in Happy Valley, according the Portland Business Journal. Leaders described it as a “model hospital of the future” with 100% private rooms, advanced robotics, healing gardens and a reduced carbon footprint.

Portland Parks & Recreation revealed the final designs for the North Portland Aquatics Center, reports KGW. The $91 million is due to start construction in 2027.

Demolition began at the historic Governor Building in Downtown, reported the Portland Business Journal. No plans have been revealed for what will happen with the site.

TEDxPortland founder David Rae announced plans for the Portland Sneaker Experience.

KGW covered a unanimous vote of the Portland City Council, which advanced expedited the process for the Inner Eastside Planning Project. The project aims to rezone close-in neighborhoods of the city to allow apartments and therefore increase housing production.

Willamette Week looked at eight ways to get Portlanders back on the Willamette River, including a new nature park at Willamette Cove and the adjacent Portland Botanical Gardens, the Albina Riverfront, the forthcoming design competition for the Tom McCall Waterfront Park Bowl and the Center for Tribal Nations adjacent to OMSI.

The Design Commission’s approval of the Lloyd Center Master Plan has been appealed to City Council by the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods and the Save Lloyd campaign, reports the Oregonian. The center’s owner announced that the center will close August 8th. An earlier story looked at where the remaining tenants will be moving.

In Gresham, a major civic project is nearing completion. The Oregonian reports that the new East County Library will feature a rooftop terrace and a 200-seat auditorium when it opens on May 16th.

As Mayor Wilson proposes $120 million for the Moda Center, Oregon Artswatch looked at the “absence of design” in the 1995 structure.

Multnomah County advanced plans for the $29.8 million Sobering and Crisis Stabilization Center on SE Grand Ave, according to the Daily Journal of Commerce.

The estimated cost of replacing the aging Interstate Bridge Replacement Project continues to climb. According to the Oregonian, new projections suggest the project could cost billions more than previously expected. At the same time, BikePortland reports that planned freeway expansion elements have been value engineered out of the project for now.

Innovative Housing Inc, broke ground on 150 units of affordable housing at the Barbur Apartments in Hillsdale, reports the Portland Business Journal.

Condominiums units at the Ritz Carlton Residences in Block 216 barely sold—until prices were slashed, reports the Oregonian.

News Roundup: Lloyd Center, Williams and Russell, Alaska Airlines Hangar, and more

An aerial view showing what the Lloyd Center Master Plan could look like at full build-out.

The future of the Lloyd Center was sealed by a vote of approval by the Design Commission, reports The Oregonian. The Portland Mercury asked whether Portland should try to save the mall.

Vertical construction began at the Williams and Russell site, reports the DJC. The first phase will include twenty for-sale townhouses; subsequent phases will include affordable rental housing and a Black Business Hub.

OPB covered the Oregon Senate’s approval $365 million for of state funding for the Moda Center. In the lead up, Willamette Week asked architects and NBA insiders what a renovation might include while reporting on how Oregon officials were playing not lose in the funding talks. OPB looked at Portland’s $1.7 billion climate fund, a potential source for part of the city funding. Following approval of the state funding, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver visited Portland.

Demolition is underway at the former Sears at Washington Square, where a new Dicks House of Sport will be built, reports The Oregonian.

The Portland City Council approved a temporary property tax exemption for a new Alaska Airlines Hangar at Portland International Airport, according to The Oregonian. The hangar will be the airline’s only facility on the west coast capable of servicing their newly acquired 787 widebody planes.

As work on the PDX Terminal Core project draws to a close, one lingering annoyance is ending as the temporary walkways shut down.

Willamette Week covered how at The Horizon Enterprise Building’s music venue and bar The Downbeat, two friends bring art, music and community to Old Town.

New ‘Big Pink’ owner Jeff Swickard added to his downtown Portland holdings with the purchase of the adjacent Five Oak building, per KGW.

A report into Portland’s waiver of Systems Development Charges shows the policy has promise, according to the Oregonian.

Despite the SDC waiver, Urban Development Group has abandoned plans to restart a stalled project at 1336 E Burnside St.

Permits have been filed for a mixed use retail and residential building at NW 23rd and Marshall, reports the Portland Business Journal. Previously planned as a five story building, it is now moving forward as a three story 50-unit building.

The OHSU Vista Pavilion will open to cancer patients in April 2026, reports the Portland Business Journal. The Oregonian wrote about how the project will expand cancer care and free up beds.

KGW covered Representative Suzanne Bonamici presentation to the City of Portland of $850,000 to support the infrastructure for the OMSI Master Plan.

Oregon Artswatch had a conversation with architect Ben Waechter.

Building on History looked at whether there’s a new future for the Aircraft Factory, best known as the former Gordon’s Fireplace Shop, after its sale.

Supporters of the Keller Reimagined proposal rallied, arguing that it, rather than the PSU Performing Arts proposal, should move forward.