Category Archives: Portland Botanical Gardens

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

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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: Moda Center, James Beard Public Market, 1847 Food Park, and more

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A concept rendering of the proposed exterior upgrades to the Moda Center.

State leaders unveiled a bill that would fund renovations to the Moda Center “in order to keep the Portland Trail Blazers in the state for decades to come”, reports OPB. The www.newmodacenter.com/ website was launched to sell the vision. The Oregonian reported that Governor Kotek lobbied NBA commissioner to keep Trail Blazers in Portland, while the team and county remained at odds over arena funding.

While the opening of the James Beard Public Market has been delayed to 2027, the project has been submitted to the city for design review. The Oregonian took a look at the proposed “timber-rich exterior design“.

Downtown Portland foot traffic continues its “slow but steady climb“.

The Lloyd Center Master Plan went in front of the Design Commission for approval. KOIN showcased the renderings of what could replace the mall, set to close later this year. At the hearing, businesses and patrons expressed their frustration, as reported by KGW.

The NW Examiner reported on the lack of progress and apparent diversion of SDC funds for the long promised Slabtown Park. District 4 Councilor Green called the delay an “outrage”. KATU reported on renewed hope after a Zoom meeting between the Northwest District Association and Portland Parks and Recreation.

TriMet plans to purchase the former Greyhound Terminal in Old Town, according to Bike Portland.

KGW revealed that ChefStable was selected by Prosper Portland as operator of a proposed $7.5M, 12-cart pod and bar at the 910 Building, near Oregon Convention Center.

Plans for the North Park Blocks Extension were scrutinized by the Design Commission, according to the Daily Journal of Commerce.

The Columbian covered the approval by the Vancouver City Council of changes to the Vancouver Waterfront Gateway plan. The previous plan was judged no longer feasible in this market; the revised plan would eliminate the office component and a public plaza, while having more housing, including more affordable housing.

Willamette Week covered a consultant report said that Portland cannot support two Broadway capable venues, and instead of a refurbishment of the existing Keller Auditorium the city should move forward with PSU Performing Arts Center proposal.

A once-toxic industrial McCormick & Baxter site in N Portland could become the Portland Botanical Gardens, writes the Oregonian.

Bridgetown Bites had photos and coverage of the now-open 1847 Food Park in Downtown Milwaukie, anchored by the latest location of Migration Brewing.

A drive-thru has been approved for a long-stalled rebuild of the Dairy Queen on SE Division, reports the Daily Journal of Commerce.

The Portland Housing Bureau now says roughly $106M in housing funds went unspent, according to OPB.