Category Archives: PSU Performing Arts Center

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

Posted on by
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

Posted on by
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

Posted on by
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.

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

Posted on by
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.