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 Moda Center developments and next steps
 Councilor Ryan with Blaze the Trail Cat and Douglas Fur at the signing of SB 1501 in April 2026.
Tom Dundon was active in negotiations in the fall of 2025, so when he purchased the Trail Blazers in March 2026, he knew what he was getting into—both with the broad terms of the deal and with Portland as the home of Trail Blazers.
Every move he's made since then indicates a clear intention to relocate our team. He's uncharitable about Portland so he can make a case to other NBA owners that the "business conditions just don't pencil out" here. My hope is to block this aggressive move and keep the Blazers here for decades to come—something that's vitally important for the economy of Portland and of District 2 specifically. The Moda Center is at the heart of an area in desperate need of revitalization, from the Lloyd to the Willamette River to the Oregon Convention Center. It's clear to me that Dundon isn't bluffing, so what's our next move to keep our team at home?
We can't control Dundon's behavior or that of his team at Rip City Management. The only thing we can control is what we own: Oregon's largest arena, the Moda Center.
As I mentioned in a live interview and Q&A with Portlanders on 105.1 The Fan's Primetime with Isaac and Suke this week, I'm all in on what is within our sphere of control—getting a good deal for the City of Portland so that we can renovate our asset and not leave $480 million on the table. I'm calling on Rip City to rally and get behind our efforts to keep the Trail Blazers at home, in Portland. I hope that the NBA Commissioner will have our backs, that Dundon's campaign to move the team will fail, and as such, he'll have to accept that his team will remain in Portland for the next 20+ years.
With next week's City Council vote approaching, we've got to ask ourselves: Are we okay with the Trail Blazers leaving town? I'm not. Neither were many of the Portlanders who testified at Wednesday's City Council meeting, representing the perspectives of and potential impacts on local businesses, restorative justice, civic and community pride, Portland youth, and more:
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"The Moda Center hosts about 150 events a year, and more than 100 of those are not the Trail Blazers games. Those alternate uses will dwindle to none without this investment. If you come out tonight before the Benson Boone concert or tomorrow before the Portland Fire game, you'll see that the value of the Rose Quarter is not an abstract economic impact number to us—I see it in our employees, local vendors, and the families and members of the community who support our business…. The Blazers are not a replaceable tenant. If they leave, Portland still owns the building and its enormous future costs but loses the anchor tenant." —Donald Kenney, Spirit of 77
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"Basketball is the second most popular sport in the world with leagues on every continent. Unlike soccer, which has several top leagues, there's undeniably one top league in basketball—the NBA. Even the 30th and worst [NBA] team would wax any other team in the world. Any major city, domestic or abroad, would die to have an NBA team, but this is our team and they can't have it." —Eric Bailey, District 2 constituent
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"Moda Center is Oregon's arena—our City's publicly owned asset and gathering place. This is about so much more than sports, it's about how we invest public funds to benefit working people and make a real investment in the Rose Quarter and Lower Albina." —Yasmin Ibarra, SEIU Local 49
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"What's at stake for Portland is civic capital, which includes shared community experiences in Oregon's most diverse gathering place, national visibility, and a stronger sense of place. These three ingredients are absolutely critical to the Albina Vision, because it's our belief that it is cultural and civic capital that can be used to attract the right kinds of financial capital that will ultimately transform the neighborhood and the entire city of Portland." —Winta Yohannes, Albina Vision Trust
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"The Blazers put Portland on the map and have brought Portlanders together for nearly 60 years—from Bill Walton, to Clyde Drexler, to Damian Lillard. These players have become cultural icons that mean so much to our city. Rip City is a huge part of the community here, and the Blazers are more than a basketball team—they're a rallying point for the city and state. As one of the most historic franchises in basketball, we cannot lose the Blazers." —Emerson Odom, community member and youth voice
On Thursday, City Council considered term sheet amendments, and we blocked all of them to give our negotiation team the best opportunity to be successful at the table. In other good news this week, the County of Multnomah affirmed its Moda Center contribution of up to $101 million. Next, City Councilors will vote on the term sheet on Wednesday, August 12. If Councilors can align to pass it, real negotiations can begin. Let's go, Rip City!
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The discussion about Portland’s downtown performing arts venues
 Commissioner (now Councilor) Dan Ryan addressing Portlanders at the Keller Fountain in front of the Keller Auditorium in 2024.
There’s a lot more to come regarding the renovation of the existing, City-owned Keller Auditorium vs. a potential new performing arts venue at Portland State University (PSU), but it’s worth highlighting some of what I heard at last week’s City Life Committee meeting.
It's getting less attention than the Keller vs. PSU debate, but I’m excited about the Portland’5 Centers for the Arts management transition from Metro, our regional government, to the City of Portland—something I called for as City Commissioner in the previous form of government. The gist of this transition is that Metro has operated City-owned performing arts venues through an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) since 1989. In October 2024, Portland City Council passed a resolution to establish a performing arts venues workgroup to explore the opportunities and challenges to immediate and long-term operations, maintenance, and planning of these venues. From the beginning, I've been clear that the existing operational agreement doesn't work. It’s top-heavy and nearly impossible for local arts organizations to access. Simply put, many of our arts organizations cannot afford to rent our City-owned performing arts spaces under the current model.
Fast forward to December 2025, when Metro formally notified Portland officials of its intent to withdraw from its role as the manager of Portland’5 venues effective on July 1, 2027. The new operating models being explored by the City hold a lot of promise, and I’m looking forward to a reimagined path forward that allows for more access for Portland’s arts organizations.
Back to the physical venue(s) piece, as a former senior development leader at both PSU and the Oregon Ballet Theatre, the conversation around the Keller and PSU is challenging. I’m personally torn. There’s no easy answer. If the City and Portland’s philanthropic community could write big checks without a second thought and if I were able to focus on sound quality and the ability to host Broadway and Opera alone, I’d want that brand new, soup-to-nuts PSU development. As a City Councilor though, I’m looking at it from an urban design and economic development perspective, and I don’t believe we can neglect the existing Keller or the beautiful piece of public art in front of it—the Keller Fountain. We need an activated public space that’s connected to our arts and culture ecosystem in Portland’s downtown core, and I don’t have faith that the current plan would provide that. I worry about the Keller closing down, going dark, and creating more blight.
It’s interesting to me that we have multiple conversations happening right now about City-owned assets. In both cases, I’m landing in a place where we need to take care of, and invest in, the assets we already own. We’re set to continue discussing this at the next City Life Committee Meeting on August 11.
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Meet Meerali Patel, one of our summer interns 🌸
 Councilor Dan Ryan and summer intern Meerali Patel at the 2026 Pride Parade.
Last month, we welcomed Meerali Patel to the team as one of our office’s summer interns. Meerali grew up in North Portland’s Overlook neighborhood, is a graduate of Central Catholic High School, and was a Rose Princess in 2025. Now she’s part of the class of 2029 at the UC Davis studying business analytics marketing and accounting. Here’s what Meerali had to say in her own words about what she loves about Portland, her intern experience, and her advice for high school seniors in Portland.
Q: What's your favorite spot in Portland?
I’m a sucker for a sweet treat and a good thrift, so I am constantly on NW 23rd Street. I love exploring the diverse restaurant selection, trying refreshing drinks, and shopping at environmentally friendly secondhand stores. Whether it’s a nighttime Salt & Straw craving or a new book for a rainy day in Portland, NW 23rd Street really has everything.
Q: What part of your internship experience with Councilor Ryan’s office have you found to be the most interesting?
As someone who has lived in District 2 their entire life and is also an avid basketball fan, the potential Moda Center renovation has been at the forefront of my brain like many Portlanders. Seeing Councilor Ryan’s efforts to keep the Trail Blazers, which are so core to Portland’s livelihood economically and historically, has been inspiring. I’ve enjoyed being able to see his approach to that conversation not only from a policymaking perspective, but also through a financial and analytical lens and from a place of deep love for the City of Portland. It has shifted the way I view local government.
Q: What words of advice do you have for high school seniors in Portland who are deciding what's next?
It may sound cliché, but don’t be afraid of being the underqualified candidate or of failing. There’s no downside to putting yourself out there, whether it’s joining a new club, applying for an internship, or simply introducing yourself to new people. Some of the best opportunities come from taking a chance, and you never know where one application or one conversation might lead. Don’t let the fear of rejection or embarrassment keep you from trying something new.
Delta Park Redemption Center is now closed ♻️
In case you missed it: The Delta Park Redemption Center in District 2 was permanently closed on July 31.
If you're not using the Green Bags yet, please consider shifting to those now—18 large grocery stores and 58 convenience stores in the area will be required by law to accept those.
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Plan ahead: I-5 southbound closure begins September 11 🚧
Starting on September 11, 2026, all lanes of I-5 southbound traffic through the Rose Quarter—between I-405 and I-84—will be closed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for up to 5 weeks. Oregon Department of Transportation is urging drivers to plan ahead for significant delays that could back up across the Columbia River into Washington.
ODOT will be working to repair and reinforce weak areas, replace bridge joints, resurface the concrete deck, and repaint lane lines.
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 Many congrats to the St. Johns Boosters, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in July! A volunteer-based organization, the Boosters work hard to uplift and promote businesses in St. Johns through a range of offerings that include marketing support, hosting events, and engaging the community. I was happy to drop by their Centennial Roaring ‘20s Soiree last month!
 I recently joined community members to celebrate the grand opening of the brand new Planet Fitness on NE Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard at NE Knott Street. 🎉
Formerly a Nike Community Store, this location had been vacant for nearly two years. Planet Fitness’ arrival in this space represents a significant investment in one of District 2’s historic commercial corridors. It was especially wonderful to see John Washington and Fawn Aberson from the Soul Business District, as well as Paul Knauls, Sr.—known as the Mayor of Northeast Portland.
Welcome to the neighborhood!
 A few weeks ago, I dropped by a handful of District 2 businesses along NE Broadway. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Moda Center and Trail Blazers are top of mind for business owners, staffers, and patrons in this part of town. Here’s what I heard:
〰️ At Broadway Ace Hardware, Store Manager Shey chatted with my team about the need to keep the Trail Blazers in Portland, how foot traffic drives sales, and the continued need for neighborhood revitalization and development.
〰️ Next, at Toyota of Portland, General Sales Manager and enthusiastic Trail Blazers fan Errol told us that the City of Portland needs to get the Moda Center deal done!
〰️ After that, we stopped by The Garden Tavern at Cartside Food Carts where patrons Patrick and Janie shared why it’s so important to keep Portland’s NBA franchise in the Rose City.
A want to extend a big thanks to everyone we met, shared a few moments with, and who expressed their perspectives. To hear feedback directly from the folks we spoke to, in their own words, check out the videos in this Instagram post.
 A big thank you to the Alberta Abbey team for hosting our District 2 Moda Town Hall on Saturday, July 25 and to the 90+ Portlanders who came out to ask questions their questions and share their feedback about the future of that vital City-owned asset. The conversation was expansive, touching on the process of putting a term sheet together, Portland's economy and jobs, impacts on local small businesses, funding options, and more. I really appreciated that we were able to share our perspectives—with a keen focus on getting the deal done—in a respectful, focused way!
 After the D2 Moda Town Hall on July 25, I walked down to the Lower Albina Block Party presented by Albina Vision Trust and Colas Construction. This year’s theme was “Reclaim the District” in honor of the cultural legacy of Portland’s Black community in Albina and the ongoing efforts to shape the future of Lower Albina.
I ran into some friends, met some neighbors, and enjoyed some live tunes. It was lovely to see community members with paint brushes in hand, working to repaint the "Emergence of Joy" street mural in front of Albina One. 🎨
 Portland Sunday Parkways are such a special part of Portland’s story, and I know that many community members, including me, were excited to see the annual event series return to North Portland last Sunday for the first time since 2019! 🚲🚲🚲
In fact, I got my vintage Schwinn tuned up just in time to join in on the fun on August 2! I rode from my home in Arbor Lodge to Columbia Park, McCoy Park, and McKenna Park. Unfortunately, the clock struck 4 p.m. before I could get to St. Johns.
The weather was perfect, and it was great to see Portlanders out enjoying their day, and each other, on two wheels. There’s one more installment of PBOT's Portland Sunday Parkways in downtown on September 13. Don’t miss it!
 In early August, I attended the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA)’s annual picnic! Hosted at Oaks Park, the family-friendly gathering brings the local Chinese community together to celebrate their heritage and commitment to civic engagement. I enjoyed some delicious food, participated in festive games and activities, and was honored to have seen a variety of impressive cultural performances. Thank you for the invite!
 A big thank you to the Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) for the recent invite to come out and tour their publicly financed housing developments!
It was illuminating and educational to visit Mamook Tokatee, Hayu Tilixam, and Nesika Illahee, as well as to meet members of Community Development Partners—a new provider NAYA has brought on to handle challenging property management and maintenance issues at its buildings in the Cully neighborhood. As part of my ongoing efforts to dig into public housing in District 2, I'm so pleased with NAYA's responsiveness and transparency in this change.
In this image, I’m posing with “Raven’s Welcome” by artist @trinkettwhite (Yup’ik), a bronze and columnar basalt sculpture installed at Mamook Tokatee in 2025. “Raven’s Welcome” celebrates the cultural significance of the area and its proximity to the life-giving Columbia River. This work was contracted by NAYA, funded through the City's Relief and Recovery for Artists of Color Program, and is managed by the Office of Arts & Culture as part of the City’s 1,800-piece public art collection.
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Lloyd-Holladay Relocation Grant 🛍️
- Funder: Prosper Portland
- Deadline: September 1, 2026
- Funding amount: Up to $25,000 with $153,000 available overall
Lloyd Center tenants looking to relocate into another ground-floor commercial space in the Lloyd-Holladay TIF District are eligible to apply for Prosper Portland's Lloyd-Holladay Relocation Grant! Through September 1, Lloyd Center tenants can apply for grants of up to $25,000 for moving expenses and/or tenant improvements. After that, any business or nonprofit looking to set up shop in the district can apply for remaining funds. In total, $153,000 is available to award through this limited-time program.
Scale Up Grants 📈
- Funder: Prosper Portland Office of Events & Film
- Deadline: September 3, 2026
- Funding amount: Up to $35,000 disbursed over three years
In partnership with Travel Portland, Portland Events & Film’s competitive Scale Up Grant Program is designed to provide event producers with funding and technical assistance for their Portland-based events that are positioned to grow and attract attendance from beyond the Portland metro.
Echo Fund 🎶
- Funder: MusicOregon
- Deadline: September 8, 2026
- Funding amount: Up to $5,000 with $100,000 available overall
In partnership with the City’s Office of Arts & Culture, MusicOregon is putting $100,000 into the hands of Portland-based working musicians across every genre. Individual awards will range from $1,000 to $5,000 and will support creative, non-performance work, including recording, mixing and mastering, promotion, distribution, gear and more.
Operating Support Grants 🎭
- Funder: City of Portland's Office of Arts & Culture
- Deadline: September 11, 2026
- Funding amount: $25,000-$145,000 annually for two years
This flexible funding from the Office of Arts & Culture helps arts organizations sustain operations, advance their missions, and expand access to arts experiences for Portlanders. Award amounts are determined by factors outlined in the grant guidelines, including organizational budget size and demonstrated service to K–12 students and people in underserved communities.
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Traducción e Interpretación | Biên Dịch và Thông Dịch | अनुवादन तथा व्याख्या 口笔译服务 | Устный и письменный перевод | Turjumaad iyo Fasiraad Письмовий і усний переклад | Traducere și interpretariat | Chiaku me Awewen Kapas
Translation and Interpretation: 311
The City of Portland ensures meaningful access and reasonably provides: translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services. To request these services, call 311 for Relay Service or TTY: 711.
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