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.

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.