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 Portland City Council passes resolution to unlock City-owned land for restorative development in Lower Albina
 The City Administrator, City Councilors, Albina Vision Trust team, and community members at City Hall on September 3, 2026.
This week, Portland City Council unanimously approved a resolution that directs the City to identify and negotiate with a development partner for City-owned parcels surrounding the Moda Center and Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The resolution, introduced by Councilors Kanal, Pirtle-Guiney, and I and in partnership with Councilor Smith, also acknowledges that an organization that fits the City's criteria, Albina Vision Trust, has already come forward with interest in these parcels and a vision for what to do with them.
The construction of Interstate-5 and decades of urban renewal displaced thousands of Black Portlanders, Black-owned homes, and Black-owned businesses from Lower Albina. The consequences of those decisions are still visible today.
AVT has been at the helm of reimagining and revitalizing historic Lower Albina neighborhood for nearly a decade, building relationships, partnerships, and an investment strategy to turn their vision into a reality. The passage of this resolution marks an important milestone in that work. The timing couldn’t be better, as the City simultaneously works to ensure that a Moda Center deal—one that keeps the Trail Blazers at home, in Portland—gets done. AVT’s ability to pursue restorative development opportunities in that D2 neighborhood is intertwined with our efforts to ensure that district is vibrant, livable, and economically activated for years to come.
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Portland Parks & Recreation announces partnership with USTA PNW to preserve Portland Tennis Center
 Portland Tennis Center with downtown Portland in the background. Photo courtesy of Portland Parks & Recreation.
As the City’s Parks Commissioner in 2023-24, I would often hear from Portlanders about the poor conditions of the Portland Tennis Center and the challenges we faced, as a City, related to Portland Parks & Recreation’s capital maintenance backlog. At the same time, I learned about a potential solution in the form of a public-private partnership with the US Tennis Association’s Pacific Northwest (USTA PNW) affiliate—a group dedicated to bringing local communities together through tennis. I was intrigued.
In 2025, my Portland Parks Tennis Partnership budget note made it into the City’s 2025-26 adopted budget. It instructed City officials to meet with USTA PNW to discuss what it might look like to expand that nonprofit’s role in managing Parks & Recreation’s tennis program. It also specified that the City’s CFO would report out on findings and proposed next steps for Councilors, which happened at an Arts & Economy Committee meeting in December 2025.
Fast forward to August 2026, when Parks & Recreation officially announced its partnership with USTA PNW. Through the partnership, the City will retain ownership of the tennis center, while USTA PNW will renovate the space and expand community membership. Specifically, players can expect a brand-new tennis dome with upgraded heating, cooling, and backup power for year-round play, energy-efficient LED lighting engineered to eliminate on-court shadows, building modernization and a complete replacement of the main building’s roof and ceiling liner. Importantly, USTA PNW will provide a public access guarantees in the form of affordable pricing, need-based scholarships, free loaner equipment, and expanded youth and adult programming.
I’m excited because this partnership ensures the Portland Tennis Center will get the critical updates it needs at a time when the City of Portland is cash-strapped and unable to provide the necessary capital. Creative thinking and problem-solving like this is what we need, particularly during fiscally challenging times. This is exactly the type of culture change I’ve been seeking from Parks & Recreation so that the City of Portland can be better partners to overburdened taxpayers in Portland, and I hope to see more partnerships like this moving forward. I’m also excited because this is the organization that runs the sport’s biggest tournament, the US Open—which is happening right now. How awesome is it that youth in Portland will have access to and get the chance to be part of the official program and special events being hosted by USTA PNW?!
A quick update on the Moda Center
 Conversations about the Moda Center are ongoing.
Last month, in an 8-4 vote, Portland City Council approved a term sheet to renovate the Moda Center. Council’s approval of that term sheet marked a significant step toward securing a long-term agreement that would modernize the City-owned arena and outline financial responsibilities between the City and the Trail Blazers’ ownership group. Getting there was difficult, but we did it—and we have the momentum now.
Shortly thereafter, conversations began in earnest between the City of Portland and Blazers’ Owner Tom Dundon and his Rip City Management team. I’m glad they’re at the table, and I’m hopeful that Council’s ability to put forward a strong, rational term sheet means that the NBA Board of Governors is on our side. The association likely doesn’t want the NBA brand to incur additional reputational damage by losing the city with the most passionate fanbase. Since the Seattle SuperSonics are slated to be the next expansion franchise, I’m excited to see the return of the I-5 Rivalry in the Pacific Northwest!
Up next, the City is working with the State and County to finalize the formation of the Joint Authority as directed in Senate Bill 1501. The Joint Authority will likely form through an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) this fall.
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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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Portland Staycation is back! 🏷️
 From September 11-13, the third edition of Portland's Staycation weekend will be jam-packed with something for everyone: a Thorns match, live music, theatre, dining, and Downtown Sunday Parkways—two car-free miles of vendors and fun for all ages.
With the potential for traffic impacts from the I-5Rose Quarter Improvement Project, this year's Summer Staycation has been curated to allow guests to enjoy a seamless, stress-free weekend without ever having to leave downtown.
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 I connected with Donald Kenney, co-owner of the Lloyd District's Spirit of 77, at the recent District 2 Moda Center Town Hall, where he shared his perspective on why investing in that City-owned asset is imperative to him as a Portlander and small business owner.
Through that conversation, I learned that Donald is also co-owner of Pal's, a waterfront fish shack located in the Hayden Island marina. I had to check it out for myself—it’s an awesome hangout spot to grab a bite and/or a drink with your own pals, and it offers what is perhaps Portland’s best water-view.
It’s another great reason to come up to Portland’s amazing North Shore! 🐟🛥️🍤
 This year’s Schuyler Block Party was such a good time! A big thanks to the community members who organized this festive gathering and invited me out, and another big thank you to the attendees who suggested—actually, urged—me to take
a spin in the bounce house. It’d been a minute since I’d done that! ☀️
 On August 14, my team and I spent National Night Out at District 2’s Lillis-Albina Park. Like similar events taking place across Portland and the US this summer, it was a great opportunity to connect with neighbors and local public safety agencies, as well as enjoy free food, fun, and performances. Event attendees, including myself, were also able to learn more and ask questions about the City’s public safety programs and partners!
 Senator Margaret Carter, Oregon’s first Black woman state legislator, is a dear friend and mentor to me. She tells her story and takes action based on her lived experiences. I was grateful to see Senator Carter, looking fabulous at 90 years young, at the recent grand opening celebration for M Carter Commons. The building, named in her honor, is in District 2’s Overlook neighborhood and brings 62 new affordable homes to local low-income seniors.
The story of this project involves many partners working in collaboration. Developed by Urban League of Portland and Northwest Housing Alternatives, the building was constructed on land donated by Kaiser Permanente. Understanding the need for greater affordability, Portland Housing Bureau (PHB) invested funds to lower the rent in 41 units—part of a rent buydown strategy they’ll be leveraging more moving forward. Metro Housing Bond funds were also deployed to help fund the project.
Every senior in Portland deserves to be able to age in place, with dignity and with our respect. Through this important work, Senator Carter and all project partners are ensuring that more Portlanders have the opportunity to do so for many years to come.
 Rounding out this year's summer picnics in D2, I joined in on the fun—including the opportunity to meet some little goats—at a recent National Night Out event hosted by the Hayden Island Manufactured Home Community
Truly, being there was like coming home. I lived in that mobile home court in the late 1970s, as a high school student, with my single mom. I had some great food and conversations with fellow attendees, and I know that this community’s hard-working residents have many valid grievances. The City of Portland can and should do better to serve this precious part of District 2 that is our North Shore.
As always, I was glad for the opportunity to participate in the festivities and very thankful for the invite
 Earlier this month, my team and I joined the City’s Property Compliance Division team, part of Portland Permitting & Development (PP&D), for a ride-along to learn more about their work in North Portland.
We started at the abandoned water tank on Hayden Island where we discussed how the City is working to solve the ongoing issues there. I’m hopeful, and so is the Property Compliance Division team, that there will be long-term solution for what has really become an eyesore there. Blight attracts blight. Next, we visited a multi-jurisdictional property issue along the Columbia Slough under I-5 where campers are set up on private land. Oregon DOT, Portland Police, Portland Solutions, the City of Portland, and the property owner are all involved in this very complex situation. Lastly, we stopped by an abandoned home on N Interstate, which has become a contributing factor to emerging concerns for neighbors nearby.
A big thank you to Housing Inspector Trevor Scott and the team for this opportunity to see these challenges in District 2 firsthand. These properties represent a few of the many building, housing, nuisance, and zoning code issues they’re working to resolve across all of Portland. I thank Portlanders, too, for flagging their concerns and for their patience as the City works to solve these complex issues.
 Launched in 2023, the New Portlanders Policy Commission (NPPC) is a 25-member advisory body that integrates the voices, needs, and lived experiences of immigrant and refugee communities into the City of Portland’s policies and decision-making. NPPC advises the Mayor, City Council, and City bureaus to improve equitable access to City services, strengthen civic participation, and more.
As the commissioner that oversaw Community & Civic Life, I was proud to help the City’s Immigrant and Refugee Coordinator Wafa Almaktari create the NPPC. I was equally proud to vote in support of the appointment of 13 newly appointed and 4 reappointed members of the NPPC at a recent Committee of the Whole meeting!
Relatedly, be sure to mark your calendars for Community & Civic Life’s Welcoming Week from September 10-19. Welcoming Week is a citywide celebration recognizing the contributions, cultures, and leadership of immigrants and refugees who help make Portland a vibrant place to live, work, and thrive.
 First approved by Portland voters in 2002, the Portland Children’s Levy (PCL) prepares children for school, supports them in being successful inside and outside of the classroom, and eliminates racial and ethnic disparities in children’s outcomes.
As a member of PCL’s Allocation Committee, I wanted to share their recently released 2026 Community Report. Looking at 2024-25, PCL awarded 85 grants for a total of $29.7 million to support organizations working across a handful of program areas that include:
- After School
- Child Abuse Prevention & Intervention
- Community Childcare Initiative
- Early Childhood
- Foster Care
- Hunger Relief
- Mentoring
- Small Grants Fund
In all, 23,670 children in Portland were served by PCL grants in 2024-25. Cheers to PCL, including Interim Director Meg McElroy (pictured here), for their work to meet these important needs in our community, as well as for being a model for City for fiscal management of tax dollars and clear, consistent reporting with metrics-based outcomes.
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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.
2026 PDX Holiday Pop-Up Shop Program 🎁
- Offered by: Downtown Portland Clean & Safe and Portland Metro Chamber
- Deadline to apply: September 18, 2026
Downtown Portland Clean & Safe is bringing back the PDX Holiday Pop-Up Shop Program, and they're looking for creative, entrepreneurial businesses ready to take the next step and try brick and mortar retail in the heart of Downtown Portland.
For six festive weeks, selected businesses will have the opportunity to operate their own Downtown storefront during the busy holiday shopping season. Downtown Portland Clean & Safe covers the cost of the lease and utilities and provides exterior window signage and marketing support.
Community Placemaking Grants ✨
- Funder: Metro
- Deadline: October 2, 2026
- Funding amount: Up to $15,000 with $450,000 available overall
These grants support community-led, equity-centered, arts and culture efforts that strengthen people's connections to each other and places they care about. Up to $450,000 will be awarded in grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000. No matching funds are required.
Vacant Storefront Grant Program 🛍️
- Funder: Prosper Portland
- Deadline: Apply now, grants awarded on a first come, first served basis
- Funding amount: $800,000 total
This Prosper Portland program will provide financial support to businesses that set up shop in vacant storefronts across Portland, reimbursing up to 75% of eligible tenant improvement costs—one of the biggest expenses new business owners can face.
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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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