Downtown Portland News - Page 282

maccoinnich · #**5621** Posted **Jan 22, 2026, 6:40 PM**

Quote:

Steps to success: Downtown Portland's foot traffic shows promising improvements

PORTLAND, Ore. — Downtown Portland's struggle to attract pedestrian foot traffic seems to be rounding a corner, according to the end-of-year report from Downtown Portland Clean & Safe found.

Businesses and residential areas in the downtown core grappled with a massive reduction in pedestrian traffic after the COVID-19 pandemic. Portland saw around 43 million pedestrians a year in 2019, but that number was slashed to only about 20 million in 2020 and 23 million in 2021. Many of the businesses that relied on foot traffic were left facing significant financial strain, with many forced to close for good.

But that trend is turning around. After years of steady increase, this past summer was the busiest for visitors since before the pandemic, according to the report.

2025 saw more than 32 million pedestrians visit downtown Portland — a 5.5% increase from the 30 million visitors in 2024. The report also found that every month in 2025 saw more foot traffic than the same month in 2024, with the exception of February (which notably saw a large winter storm last year).

...continues at KGW. Original report here.

maccoinnich · #**5622** Posted **Jan 22, 2026, 7:24 PM**

Also, this is a good article when read in the context of the news above. It's not specifically about Portland, but does mention some of the author's work here (including related to a proposed Sneaker Museum--something I've heard mentioned a few times, but don't yet know much about).

Quote:

Yes, Downtowns must reinvent themselves — as visitor destinations

Yes, Downtowns do need to reinvent themselves in the post-pandemic era — but not only, or even primarily, as residential neighborhoods. They must also create new reasons to visit, for people who do not already live or work there. After all, it is such “destination-driven” traffic — whether from other city neighborhoods, from farther-flung suburbs or from beyond the region — which has always fueled consumer spending in so many of our Downtowns, and which remains today an essential ingredient to sustaining their sizeable retail footprints.

This might require stakeholders to take some “big swings” — high-risk/high-reward efforts to develop large-scale attractions that can raise a Downtown’s profile, extend its reach and drive higher footfall.

I realize that such forays have an uneven history, in many cases promising far more than they ultimately delivered. If you build it, they do not necessarily come. I have also long argued that at least with retail-focused projects, trying to realize long-term (or, as I call them, “end-state”) aspirations in one fell swoop often backfire.

I would like to think, though, that we have learned a thing or two from the mistakes of the past. With this in mind, I have been proposing an approach which does not put all of the proverbial eggs in one basket but rather, like a diversified investment portfolio, couples the long plays on potential game-changers with more practical initiatives designated to yield near-term results. We can work and chew gum at the same time.

...continues here.

downtownpdx · #**5623** Posted **Jan 22, 2026, 11:48 PM**

Great article, thanks for sharing. Good to see pedestrian numbers increasing, although we still have a ways to go thanks to office vacancies. I was downtown a couple Mondays ago, and walking from the Portland Art Museum to Powells along 9th felt fairly lively, even on a cold, wet January day. The museum expansion certainly has attracted people, and the new cafe was really busy. You can tell what a nice impact the new Darcelle park is going to have on the area. It’s just nice to see construction happening on a block that, while a convenient place to eat lunch from the (former) nearby food carts, was an uninviting space that has held the neighborhood back. The public market and these other amenities will hopefully start to attract some office leases, along with the fact that we finally have a mayor who’s serious about shelter over tents.

sopdx · #**5624** Posted **Jan 30, 2026, 11:52 PM**

The draft is of suggested changes to the Central City Plan. Readdressing housing, zoning, building heights etc, - essentially loosening certain restrictions

https://www.portland.gov/bps/planning/central-city/central-city-planning-documents

downtownpdx · #**5625** Posted **Mar 3, 2026, 3:04 AM**

University gets $1.5M gift to expand downtown Portland campus

https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/new...niversity-natural-medicine-donation.html

park-square by Ryan Miller, on Flickr

Quote:

The National University of Natural Medicine has received a $1.5 million gift that will go toward the expansion of its downtown Portland campus.

The grant was a philanthropic gift from alumnus Dr. Noel Peterson and his wife, Teresa Shelley. A news release from the university said a large portion of the donation will go toward the first phase of the university’s new campus development.

The university also said its future clinical facility, part of the second phase of the campus expansion, will be named the Peterson-Shelley Center for Integrative Medicine.

...

The university will occupy the R.L. Woolworth Building at 1621 S.W. Market St., and Vault will occupy the Park Square Building at 100 S.W. Market St. The co-owners will share the atrium.

The acquisition follows the sale of NUNM’s current campus, followed by a lease-back of its current space as the university searched for its new home.

All NUNM programs, health centers and services will operate in the new campus, which is set to begin in phases mid-2026.

The first phase of the campus development includes building out academic and administrative spaces and improving key building infrastructure.

The second phase will build out an integrative Health Center, community teaching kitchen for the university’s Food As Medicine program and expanded space for clinical training and patient care. It will also establish additional research capacity for the Helfgott Research Institute.

(full article in link)

colossalorder · #**5626** Posted **Mar 3, 2026, 4:13 PM**

A hotel on the downtown Portland waterfront that tumbled into financial tumult has sold for $30.1 million, less than half its prior sale price.

The Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront sold last month to New York City-based Sculptor Capital Management and Los Angeles-based Tamarack Capital Partners.

https://www.oregonlive.com/business/2026...stors-buy-portland-waterfront-hotel.html

Personally, one of my least favorite pieces of downtown Portland architecture. In addition to just looking clunky, its so unfriendly to pedestrians on all sides.

PhillyPDX · #**5627** Posted **Mar 3, 2026, 5:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by colossalorder

A hotel on the downtown Portland waterfront that tumbled into financial tumult has sold for $30.1 million, less than half its prior sale price.

The Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront sold last month to New York City-based Sculptor Capital Management and Los Angeles-based Tamarack Capital Partners.

https://www.oregonlive.com/business/2026...stors-buy-portland-waterfront-hotel.html

Personally, one of my least favorite pieces of downtown Portland architecture. In addition to just looking clunky, its so unfriendly to pedestrians on all sides.

These drastically lower property sales are having major impacts to government finances. PPS just announced an unexpected $10m shortfall for this current year mostly due to lower property values (layoffs coming). And given this was “unexpected”, I can only assume the previously announced $50m projected shortfall next year will also grow as this same tax reduction happens again next year. Really sucks. I’m really worried parents with the means will continue to flee to better and more affordable schools systems.

urbanlife · #**5628** Posted **Mar 3, 2026, 9:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by colossalorder

A hotel on the downtown Portland waterfront that tumbled into financial tumult has sold for $30.1 million, less than half its prior sale price.

The Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront sold last month to New York City-based Sculptor Capital Management and Los Angeles-based Tamarack Capital Partners.

https://www.oregonlive.com/business/2026...stors-buy-portland-waterfront-hotel.html

Personally, one of my least favorite pieces of downtown Portland architecture. In addition to just looking clunky, its so unfriendly to pedestrians on all sides.

Big hotels are also big money pits that need a lot of money coming into them. I don't know how much of a factor this is, but I feel like downtown hotels in Portland charge way too much for valet and self parking.

downtownpdx · #**5629** Posted **Mar 3, 2026, 11:29 PM**

Just happened to watch a travel vlog from this NY family who stayed at the Marriott, and they loved it. I agree about the awful architecture and street presence, but they seemed to enjoy the waterfront views and being able to easily walk along the river. Looking forward to seeing the plans for that waterfront area this year.

pdxsg34 · #**5630** Posted **Mar 4, 2026, 8:00 PM**

Goodman family-owned Governer Building at SW 2nd & Harvey Milk (404-418 SW 2nd Ave) recently had a demolition permit issued. This makes the blocks bound by 2nd, Harvey Milk, Alder and Naito one big parking lot with off ramps.

KPTV had an article in late '24 on the tenents who were told to leave without being given a reason why. I guess this is why. I hope some sort of development occurs on this block, and the adjacent ones. Otherwise, it looks like someone punched a giant hole in the west side of the river.

PhillyPDX · #**5631** Posted **Mar 4, 2026, 11:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdxsg34

Goodman family-owned Governer Building at SW 2nd & Harvey Milk (404-418 SW 2nd Ave) recently had a demolition permit issued. This makes the blocks bound by 2nd, Harvey Milk, Alder and Naito one big parking lot with off ramps.

KPTV had an article in late '24 on the tenents who were told to leave without being given a reason why. I guess this is why. I hope some sort of development occurs on this block, and the adjacent ones. Otherwise, it looks like someone punched a giant hole in the west side of the river.

There have been contractors on site doing work for a while now. Just assumed it was some kind of MEP improvements to make it easier to lease.

I have seen zero indications there anything new is planned in this general area, so maybe they are just demo-ing to rid of a liability?

This being said, isn’t that building historic? Built in 1906, doesn’t look like it’s in such bad condition to be a safety concern.

downtownpdx · #**5632** Posted **Mar 4, 2026, 11:43 PM**

Yeah I would think it’s under preservation status..? Unless something a than a parking lot is planned here that’s a terrible move.

maccoinnich · #**5633** Posted **Mar 5, 2026, 12:01 AM**

It's been determined to be eligible for the National Register, but is not listed or otherwise locally protected, and in Oregon any kind of new historic preservation designation requires owner consent.

I'm kind of scratching my head at what's happening. In the long term, the site is a great redevelopment opportunity; right now, I can't think of what would possibly move forward there. New surface parking is prohibited in the central city, so even that opportunity can be dismissed. All I think is that there are such significant issues with the building that it's a safety hazard?

PhillyPDX · #**5634** Posted **Mar 5, 2026, 12:46 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

It's been determined to be eligible for the National Register, but is not listed or otherwise locally protected, and in Oregon any kind of new historic preservation designation requires owner consent.

I'm kind of scratching my head at what's happening. In the long term, the site is a great redevelopment opportunity; right now, I can't think of what would possibly move forward there. New surface parking is prohibited in the central city, so even that opportunity can be dismissed. All I think is that there are such significant issues with the building that it's a safety hazard?

If major safety issues, you’d think there would have been some idea coming from the companies that were kicked out. Either things they experienced/observed, or written communication “cancelling leases as we intend to demo this unsafe building”.

But this owner has been sitting on nearby larger surface lots for a long time, seems unlikely this parcel is what was holding them back from major development. But then, nothing really seems to make sense with this.

Rob Nob · #**5635** Posted **Mar 6, 2026, 5:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhillyPDX

But this owner has been sitting on nearby larger surface lots for a long time, seems unlikely this parcel is what was holding them back from major development. But then, nothing really seems to make sense with this.

The family did start developing projects on their parking lots a decade or so ago. I worked on one lot they started developing for housing, but suddenly sold the property to another developer who was going to build a hotel. Then COVID, so it's still a parking lot today.

maccoinnich · #**5636** Posted **Mar 6, 2026, 11:20 PM**

There's also a permit under review for what appears to be a conversion of the ground floor into a restaurant.

Quote:

Owners of Portland restaurant Luc Lac buy historic downtown building

The owners of popular restaurant Luc Lac Vietnamese Kitchen have bought a building in downtown Portland.

Luc Lac Mikado LLC, managed by Alan Ho, one of the brothers behind the restaurant, acquired the historic Mikado Building at 117 S.W. Taylor St., according to state and county records.

The LLC paid $3 million, or $204 per square foot, for the three-story building. The deal closed Feb. 18, according to Multnomah County records. The 14,700-square-foot building, built in 1888, last sold for $1.5 million in 2004.

The team at Luc Lac declined to comment on the deal and their plans at this time.

Luc Lac is at 835 S.W. Second Ave., one block from the Mikado Building.

...continues at the Portland Business Journal.

downtownpdx · #**5637** Posted **Mar 6, 2026, 11:39 PM**

Nice, and they must be operating the new restaurant? It’s pretty close to LucLac.

downtownpdx · #**5638** Posted **Mar 10, 2026, 2:55 AM**

What we know about Honorable Mention, the new Portland sports bar backed by Damian Lillard

https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2026/0...sports-bar-backed-by-damian-lillard.html

Screen Shot 2026-03-09 at 7.46.42 PM by Ryan Miller, on Flickr

Screen Shot 2026-03-09 at 7.46.06 PM by Ryan Miller, on Flickr

Quote:

We’ve heard rumors of a new bar coming to the basement of the Benson Hotel for several months. But on Wednesday, The Oregonian/OregonLive broke the news that the project, an “elevated sports lounge” named Honorable Mention, has a particularly notable co-owner: Damian Lillard.

Here’s what we know about Honorable Mention so far, including the first photos from inside the space.

Who is backing the project?
Lillard is the biggest name attached to Honorable Mention, but the project has several partners, including Adidas marketing rep JR Duperrier; Moda Health President Dr. William Johnson; David Lucas, son of former Trail Blazer All Star Maurice Lucas; and Mark Byrum of the Urban Restaurant Group, which will operate the bar.

What does the name mean?
As a frequent list maker, I associate the phrase “honorable mention” with the people, places or things that didn’t quite make the cut. But the bar group is treating it more as a sign of respect, “giving flowers,” in Lillard’s words, to pioneering Black athletes at Ivy League schools, starting with the Brown University football star Fritz Pollard.

What was here before?
Until the end of 2011, the basement of the Benson Hotel was home to The London Grill, with its continental cooking and formal service. The hotel is also home to a lobby bar and an outpost of El Gaucho steakhouse.

When will Honorable Mention open?
After friends and family events Wednesday and Thursday, the bar aims to open to the public at 4 p.m. Friday, March 6, with a back-room speakeasy to follow in the coming weeks or months.

(continues)

maccoinnich · #**5639** Posted **Mar 10, 2026, 6:41 PM**

Stopped in for a drink on Sunday afternoon. It's a really great addition to downtown -- especially after the space hasn't been used as a bar for 15 years.

urbanlife · #**5640** Posted **Mar 12, 2026, 7:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

Stopped in for a drink on Sunday afternoon. It's a really great addition to downtown -- especially after the space hasn't been used as a bar for 15 years.

Holy crap, London Grill hasn't been there for 15 years??? That explains all the cracking in my joints when I stand up