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(He/Him) councilor.dunphy@portlandoregon.gov

Bluesky @councilordunphy Instagram @councilorjamiedunphy

A Message from Council President Dunphy:

The Keller Can’t Cut It, So Where Can I See Wicked?

For years the City of Portland has been twisting ourselves into knots to answer questions about the future of the Keller Auditorium. Past City Councils have started the process, only to kick the can down the road or try to split the baby.

The Keller is a beautiful, historic, 100+ year old building that has delivered world-class Broadway performances for hundreds of thousands of neighbors. It’s another City-owned venue that has decades of deferred maintenance and serious challenges in the built environment. For decades we have known that this building is too small, and too awkwardly located to accommodate Broadway-capable performances. It’s putting workers into active danger, whether from standing in traffic during load-in or dealing with set pieces stacked three high in the wings for productions like Les Miserable (which was fabulous by the way).

I’m a former theater kid, and I was professionally trained in technical theater through PCC Sylvania’s theater program. I have helped build and load in stage pieces, design and run lighting and sound, and helped with props and costumes. But you don’t need that depth of knowledge to see that the Keller simply isn’t the right place for the future of Broadway in Portland. Plus, if we shut down the Keller for three years to renovate it, we will lose upwards of five years worth of productions, and with it all of those professional theater tech jobs. Those individuals will simply move to Seattle, San Francisco, or even Boise in pursuit of work, and we’ll permanently lose a generation of our incredible local talent. 

That’s why I’m so enthusiastic about the proposal to build a new facility at PSU, one that can accommodate modern performances, meet ADA standards, and keep our workers safe. The economics demonstrate that this is the only viable option that will generate a return on our investment. The logistics say the same. Keller cannot be our 4,000 seat theater performance venue any longer. But we’re not gonna let the building sit fallow and become an attractive nuisance. And we’re not gonna simply demolish the building and replace it with something unrelated. We’ve got to find a new use for this space. The Keller should become an 1,800 seat performance and rehearsal  facility, activated with students, performers, and audiences of all kinds, adding to the vibrancy of our arts scene.

The conversations about the future of the Keller add to the incredible backlog of urgent investments the City of Portland has to consider, including the Moda Center, Providence Park, the Memorial Coliseum, the Schnitz, the rest of the P5 venues, not to mention the thousands of potholes needing to be filled, acres of parks to be maintained, the construction of the new water filtration plant, and the miles and miles of missing sidewalks in East Portland. This is the first time in Portland history where these kinds of decisions can actually get made, and we’re doing our best to make them in a strategic, thoughtful, and responsible way. But man, we’ve got our work cut out for us.

Concealed Carry within City Buildings

Let me be explicitly clear: I will do everything in my power to make sure there are fewer guns in our daily lives. Twenty years ago, I began my public service career in the David Douglas School District doing gang prevention and crime reduction in a middle school. At least six of my former students have been shot and lived, and one of my former students was shot to death. 

Now, twenty years later, as President of the Portland City Council, it is my responsibility to ensure Portland's public spaces are safe and welcoming for everyone who uses them.

Our current political climate has raised the temperature to a dangerous level, and there have been too many recent examples of political violence turning deadly. I have a responsibility to not only try to bring down the temperature, but to keep everyone in this public process safe.

That’s why I'm bringing forward an ordinance to strengthen our City's existing rules around bringing a firearm into a City-owned building where official public meetings are held.

Thanks to a recent change by the State Legislature, Oregon allows cities to prohibit concealed firearms in buildings used for official meetings, even if you have a concealed carry license. Earlier this year, I personally went through the process of applying for a concealed carry license, believing it was a robust accountable process that properly trained individuals about the grave responsibility of secretly carrying a gun. I was deeply disappointed by the actual process, which mostly involved an online quiz, and never required me to physically touch a weapon or talk to a single trained professional. If that’s all that the State and County are expecting of us, it’s clear that the City of Portland must do more.

This is about public safety. Neighbors should be able to attend Council meetings, testify on issues that matter to them, and engage with their local government knowing that City Hall and other official meeting spaces prioritize safety. Similarly, elected officials should be able to debate difficult issues openly and make decisions without concerns about what may be hidden in the audience.

Our democracy is strongest when people feel safe enough to participate. My hope is that this ordinance helps create an environment where every resident, Councilor, City employee, and visitor can engage in the public process with confidence.

Dunphy in the Community:

Joint Councilor “What If?” Hike at Rocky Butte

What if East Portland had a connected natural area where families could hike, explore, climb, and experience nature close to home?

Join me, Councilors Tiffany Koyama Lane and Elana Pirtle-Guiney, Metro Councilor Duncan Hwang, Friends of Rocky Butte, and a host of community partners on Thursday, July 24, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for a special "What If?" Hike at Rocky Butte.

Together, we'll take a one-mile walk through this remarkable landscape as we hear from community advocates and imagine the future of more than 90 acres of public green space. Rocky Butte has the potential to become one of East Portland's signature natural destinations, but making that vision a reality will take collaboration. Building a connected trail system will require partnership across jurisdictions because ownership of Rocky Butte is shared across several jurisdictions including the City and State.

Every great project begins with a shared vision, and that's exactly what this hike is about.

We'll meet at NE 90th Avenue and Skidmore Street (behind The Grotto) at 11:00 a.m. for a one-mile hike. Following the hike, we'll gather at The Grotto for light snacks and refreshments, conversation, and an open Q&A.

Space is limited, so please RSVP here! I hope you'll join us as we explore one simple question: what if Rocky Butte became the accessible, connected natural space East Portland deserves?

D1 Tree Walk

I joined our friends at Trees for Life Oregon for a walking tour of District 1 to take a closer look at our tree canopy and talk about how we can better incorporate shade into our streets, sidewalks, and public spaces.

We started near SE Mill Street and 89th Avenue beneath a towering coast redwood growing on private property. As we continued toward 92nd Avenue, that canopy gradually disappeared, replaced by widely spaced young saplings struggling to provide relief along a stretch of hot sidewalk. The temperature difference was impossible to ignore.

As Portland experiences hotter summers, we need to think bigger about the role our urban forest plays in protecting our neighborhoods. That means planting large-form, climate-resilient trees where they'll make the greatest impact and designing our infrastructure with shade in mind from the very beginning.

Expanding District 1's tree canopy and green space connectivity is a priority for my office, and I look forward to continuing this work alongside our community partners

Grand Ronde Visit

Earlier this month, I joined the Mayor and five of my Council colleagues for a visit to the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde in one of the largest Portland City Council delegations to visit the Tribe in recent years.

Our visit was an opportunity to strengthen relationships, learn from Tribal leadership, and see firsthand the innovative ways Grand Ronde is serving its community. We met with the Tribal Council over a shared meal, toured their medical clinic and community gathering spaces, visited an affordable senior housing development, and learned about their tiny home village providing housing for Tribal members experiencing homelessness. We also had the opportunity to briefly visit the Tribe's pow-wow grounds.

I appreciate the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde for their warm hospitality and for sharing their work with us. Building strong government-to-government relationships and learning from one another helps all of us better serve our communities.

Opportunities of the Month (programs, resources)

Free Yard Tree Giveaway

Every fall, Portlanders have the opportunity to help make our city greener one tree at a time. Through Portland’s Yard Tree Giveaway program,. Residents can receive up to three free trees to plant on private property, whether that is your home, place of worship, or business. It’s a simple way to invest in your neighborhood while expanding our urban canopy for generations to come. The program offers a wide variety of trees, including native evergreens, heat-tolerant species, flowering trees, and more. If you’ve recently removed a tree, a free yard tree can also be used to satisfy your tree permit replanting requirement. To be eligible, trees must be planted at an address within City limits, and Urban Forestry must be allowed to check on the tree during the summer as part of a study. The trees can be planted in a front, side, or backyard, but cannot be used as street trees. Sign-up for a free yard tree begins in September 2026, but you can sign up now to receive an email update once registration begins. More information and details on this program can also be found here! Low-Cost Outdoors Gear As summer adventure season gets underway, I wanted to share a few great ways to enjoy the outdoors without spending a fortune.  Whether you’re planning a camping trip, hiking our incredible trails, or learning to kayak, the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability has put together a list of resources to help you save money while reducing waste. The full list of tips can be found here, and I’ve highlighted my favorites below: Check your neighborhood Buy Nothing Group for tents, stoves, backpacks, and other gear that still has years of life left.  Next Adventure (SE Grand Ave): Offers rental or demo equipment—especially for backpacking, camping, climbing, and paddleboarding. Features a Bargain Basement stocked with inspected, gently used gear and offers in-store credit if you trade in your own items.  Foster Outdoor (SE Foster Rd): Operates both a resale shop and gear library. They accept consignment items (tents, packs, apparel) and regularly update their selection. REI Re/Supply (Clackamas, SE Portland area): One of only two REI stores in the country that sells entirely used gear – specifically, customer returns or trade-ins, inspected and resold at a discount. It's like an REI's Garage Sale event every day! Plus, it's right next to a regular REI store, so if you're in a rush and can't find used gear, you can find it new next door. Buying used is a simple way to save money while making the most of what you have. It’s also a win for our community. Keeping gear in circulation reduces waste, keeps items out of our landfills, and gives more Portlanders the opportunity to experience everything our incredible urban forest has to offer. Small choices like these help build a more sustainable, affordable, and connected Portland.

I-5 Closure This Fall!

Whether you are commuting in Portland or planning a trip through the area, ODOT would like travelers across Oregon to be aware of a major closure of all southbound lanes of I-5 in Portland between I-84 and I-405 starting September 11th and lasting up to five weeks. During the closure, overdue road repairs will be done as part of the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project. Learn more about the closure at the project's website and sign up for traffic alerts here. 

• I-5 through the Rose Quarter in Portland is aging and needs repairs. Starting September 11, 2026, all lanes of I-5 southbound will be closed through the Rose Quarter between I-405 and I-84 around the clock for up to 5 weeks. One lane will remain open from I-405 to the Broadway exit at the Moda Center. Closures are expected to cause the worst traffic in the region's history. 
• This is going to be tough for travelers and businesses alike. Travelers are urged to plan ahead, leave early, adjust travel times if possible and consider options like carpooling or transit. The more people modify their travel plans, the better the system will function for everyone, including emergency responders and freight trucks.

To learn more about the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project including current and upcoming travel impacts, click here. City Council will also be holding a public work session on the I-5 closure on July 29th at 2:00pm.

Habitat for Humanity Veteran Home Repair Program

Habitat’s Veteran Restore Health and Safety Program helps eligible veterans and veteran’s spouses repair their home with 0% interest loans through Habitat for Humanity. The program focuses on improvements that keep homes safe, accessible, and in good repair. Eligible repairs include roof repairs, plumbing and electrical work, heating and cooling systems, ADA accessibility upgrades, wheelchair-friendly flooring, window repairs, and moisture or water damage mitigation. 

More information on this program, such as income restrictions and location eligibility, can be found here.