 Renaming César E. Chávez Blvd to Campesinos Blvd
This past Tuesday at the Public Works Committee meeting, I co-sponsored an ordinance that was unanimously referred to City Council. The ordinance authorizes the renaming of César E. Chávez Blvd to Campesinos Blvd. I have heard from many constituents and advocates, and this is clearly an important topic to many people. As I noted from the dais, a street name can carry so many things – pride, pain, history – and there are many perspectives and strong feelings about this renaming process.
I want to highlight some important perspectives that informed my support of this legislation. Reyna Lopez, President and Executive Director of Pineros Y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste, highlighted the community elders who have been a part of the street name-changing processes. She noted that changing the name to Campesinos Blvd “honors the contributions of migrant farmworkers while no longer upholding individuals who do harm.” Two of the elders that Reyna Lopez mentioned – Marta Guembes and Jose Romero – wrote an April op-ed in the Oregonian where they called for action: “This moment demands more than a name change. It demands a different way of governing. One that trusts community, corrects inequity and refuses to hide behind process when justice is clear.”
I agree with Martha and Jose that renaming a key street in District 3 and beyond to Campesinos Blvd honors many people who serve our community by recognizing the farmworkers, immigrants, and organizers whose work feeds us and supports our economy. I also want to call out the tireless engagement that has been part of both renaming processes, which occurred with unacceptable hostility, threats, harassment, and systemic barriers faced during years of advocacy. I fully support the idea that we should support renaming without reopening a lengthy and potentially harmful process.
 Moving Toward an Age-Friendly Oregon
On Wednesday, I attended an event at the Community for Positive Aging, where Oregon Governor Tina Kotek declared Oregon has joined as a member of AARP’s Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. This commits Oregon to work proactively to create systems and spaces where people of all ages can live and age with dignity, stability, and belonging. This commitment includes developing a Multi-Sector Plan for Aging (MPA) that will build a coordinated statewide roadmap to better support people at every stage of life.
The MPA is powered by individuals, organizations, and experts, and has been led by organizations like AGE+, AARP Oregon, and the Governor’s Commission on Senior Services. Five goals have been identified in the MPS including economic vitality, workforce, housing, caregiving and long-term care, and overall health.
This is a great opportunity for Oregon, and it aligns with our age-friendly efforts in Portland. I look forward to opportunities to partner with the Governor and inform the MPA. Portland and Oregon are growing older, which comes with both challenges and opportunities!
 Moda Center Update
The Moda Center process is moving forward, in some ways better than it has been but in many ways that still need to shift. I’m trying to push hard for a better process and have been working with Council President Dunphy to shape a more democratic, inclusive, and transparent process. One thing I’m pushing for, along with a number of community organizations, is a Community Benefit Agreement (CBA). A CBA is a legally binding contract between folks like private developers, investors, municipalities, and coalitions of community groups that guarantee the neighborhood surrounding a big project receives specific, negotiated benefits: great jobs, affordable housing, small business support, climate protections, etc.
There are numerous examples of these in various sectors such as universities, hospitals, corporations like Google, and more. Relevant for us Portlanders are the numerous examples of CBAs regarding stadiums and arenas. The 2001 Staples Center CBA in LA for the Lakers is known as the first full, legally-binding CBA in the country and included jobs, wage requirements, and contracting standards. It also established a hiring program that prioritized low-income individuals and residents who were displaced by the sports and entertainment district, in addition to funding affordable housing and parks and recreation programming. Other CBAs with sports organizations include the Milwaukee Bucks, Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the Pittsburgh Penguins, Geodis Park in Nashville, and more.
Here in Portland, it is essential to me that we meaningfully include in the process those who have been historically harmed by the City policies affecting the Lower Albina neighborhood. The Moda Center and other development nearby displaced an entire population of people from the neighborhood: mostly Black Portlanders who had a thriving community there.
We have an incredible opportunity to address the harms done by making sure the Albina Vision Trust (AVT) has a key seat at the table. AVT, a community-driven nonprofit created to buy back land, rebuild community, and reroot Black legacies and Black futures in the heart of Portland’s central city, is the largest restorative redevelopment effort in America. Portland is incredibly lucky for their presence, and we are obligated as a City to address the harm done.
I believe Portland can become a national leader in public-private partnerships that benefit the entire city while also including critical economic and racial justice components for communities who have been displaced or face displacement.
This is an important issue to me and to so many of us in the community. I'm proud of how many Portlanders are engaged in the Moda Center conversation and are fighting for a fair, transparent, and just process and outcomes to these negotiations. Stay tuned, and check out my posts on Instagram and Facebook. Feel free to send me an email and let me know what you think!
 Rose City Park Neighborhood Association Town Hall
Thank you to the Rose City Park Neighborhood Association, for a wonderful opportunity to connect with community members Tuesday night about this year’s budget process and policy goals. After a quick overview from me and my fellow District 3 Councilors Steve Novick and Angelita Morillo, we answered questions in a Town Hall format. I love Q&As – it’s a great way to see what’s top of mind for constituents, and to be able to respond and have a conversation in real time. It is democracy in action! Thank you to the Board and all those attending.
 Whitman Bike Bus
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: There is no better way to start your day than with a Bike Bus! I had a wonderful time riding with the Whitman Elementary School Bike Bus this morning. The Whitman Bike Bus, made possible by fabulous parent volunteers, runs every Wednesday and Friday. It was so fun to see kids join along the route, and arrive at school full of energy and ready to start the day!
Foster-Powell Garden Tour
The Foster-Powell Neighborhood Association will hold its annual Garden Tour from 10 am to 2 pm Saturday, June 20. Neighbors all over Foster-Powell put their gardens on display for a fun community event! You can learn more and nominate a garden to be included here.
Foster Summer Soiree
The Foster Area Business Association will be hosting their fourth annual Foster Summer Soiree from noon to 5 pm on Saturday, June 13 at Laurelwood Park. The event celebrating businesses, artists, community and organizations that continue to help make Portland vibrant will be between SE 58th and SE 72nd Aves on Foster Rd, but many more events and specials will be happening along SE Foster Rd beyond that central area.
Getting Ready for River Swimming
If, like me, you love swimming and recreating in the Willamette River, you will definitely be interested in this resource! Check the Rec is the City’s website for posting the results of Environmental Services’ water quality tests. They test weekly at five popular Willamette River recreation locations, and share the results every Friday. The site also has other water quality news, and a way to sign up to get the updates weekly by email. Want to get inspired? Portland is featured prominently in this Summer 2026 Outdoor magazine article, "The Rise of Urban Swimming in the U.S." See you on the river!
Child Care Assistance for Civic Engagement
Work-life balance is a challenge for most if not all of us, but when you add child care logistics to the mix it can feel impossible for parents to participate in local government. As a parent and City Council member I’m so excited to share information about Politisit – a group that helps break down barriers to civic engagement for parents. The nonprofit organization provides money for child care so parents can attend City Council, School Board, and more. You can apply for funds here. Your voice and participation matters!
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