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A rendering of the mixed-use development and shopping and recreational spaces proposed for the Lloyd Center redevelopment. Photo courtesy of URG and ZGF Architects.
Published
What's been on my mind this week
My point of view on the redevelopment of the Lloyd Center
In recent weeks, hundreds of Portlanders have joined us at Council Chambers to offer their thoughts, questions, and concerns about the future of the Lloyd Center—a privately owned development in District 2 and home of a long-standing shopping mall, theater, and ice-skating rink. They've shared many memories, too. As a lifelong Portlander who lived in the neighborhood during my early years, I have many positive memories of the Lloyd Center. All of peoples' Lloyd Center experiences, both past and present, are valid—and many are cherished.
Truthfully though, I've been grieving the state of the Lloyd Center for years. When I returned to Portland in 1997 and joined the Lloyd Athletic Club, I began to see the slow demise of this landmark of our city. It's been a really long time since that space was used to its potential.
The facts are that the Lloyd Center is a privately owned property. Its developer requested that Portland's Design Commission review the project's Central City Master Plan—a completely optional step that signaled they were open to input from the City's experts to ensure beneficial urban design outcomes at that site. The Design Commission dug into it, and they made an informed recommendation approving the proposal. I don't want to change that. We have a process, we rely on experts to make the decisions they're uniquely suited to weigh in on, and we can't second-guess every move they make. My vote this week recognized this process and the work completed by the owners, developers, architects, urban designers, City staff, and the Design Commission.
I'm feeling energized by the trajectory of some of the small businesses that've used the Lloyd Center as a cost-effective business incubator space to refine their offerings and assess their businesses' viability. Prosper Portland recently launched its Lloyd-Holladay Relocation Grant for Lloyd Center Mall tenants—both businesses and nonprofits—looking to relocate to another ground floor commercial space within the Lloyd-Holladay TIF District. A total of $153,000 is available with grants of up to $25,000 being awarded for moving expenses and tenant improvements. Meanwhile, Downtown Clean & Safe reported in June that several businesses previously operating out of the Lloyd Center, including Brickdiculous Shop & Gallery and Floating World Comics, are relocating to downtown's Pioneer Place.
I recognize that change is difficult when positive memories run deep. I have hope that a more accessible, walkable neighborhood will emerge and revive the area as an economic and entertainment hub of District 2 and of our city.
More thoughts on the future of the Moda Center
All eyes remain on District 2, with an opportunity to renovate our world-class spectator venue, the Moda Center. My point-of-view is that there's no scenario in which the Trail Blazers leaving Portland would be good for the heart and soul of our city, its vibrancy, or its economy.
However, the Blazers leaving is a real possibility. The new owner has made it clear, and he's not bluffing. It's time to get serious.
While we need to reach a final deal by December, getting the Mayor and City Councilors aligned on a final agreement in August would put us in an even better position to negotiate. If we can't find internal alignment, we stand to lose out on funding offered by the State—which represents the lion's share of the money on the table.
Right now, I'm singularly focused on the next, most important step we can take. We need a majority of the 12-person City Council to agree on terms that the NBA Commissioner and the NBA Board of Governors (the owners of all 30 NBA teams) can support. I think we have enough information to do that. If not, I suspect Blazers Owner Tom Dundon will try to persuade other owners/Board of Governors to support his interest in moving the franchise to another location.
As it relates to funding for a renovated Moda Center, PCEF has been a big point of contention. That fund is bringing in significantly more money than was originally projected. At the same time, the fund has already invested capital into private nonprofits and in City of Portland projects that involve the construction of physical spaces. Moda is a big ticket item, so it's getting a lot of attention, but this practice of PCEF-funded capital investments isn't new. In my view, PCEF is the only viable path forward that won't drain precious resources from the City's General Fund and wouldn't raid reserves or impact the City's ability to address basic needs like potholes, parks, or police. On top of this, it would further establish Portland's brand of building elegant, energy-efficient buildings that reflect our city's climate resiliency goals. Let's promote Portland's green industry brand and provide much-needed jobs for our hard-working partners in the trades and hospitality.
I had a great conversation about Moda with 105.1 The Fan's Isaac and Suke on Primetime this week—you can listen to the full segment online. City Council's next work session on Moda is on July 22, so tune in then for the latest.
Meet Kobi Flowers, one of our summer interns 🌸
Last month, we welcomed Kobi Flowers to the team as one of our office's summer interns. We knew how awesome it was to work with Kobi because she interned with us last summer. Kobi grew up in North Portland and is a graduate of Jefferson High School and was the 110th Queen of Rosaria during the 2024 Rose Festival. Now she's a junior studying political science at Howard University. Here's what Kobi 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?
A: My favorite place in Portland is the Alberta Arts District. I love the sense of community there—from the local businesses and colorful murals to the different restaurants and events happening throughout the year. It's a place that really reflects the creativity and diversity of Portland. And no trip to Alberta is complete without stopping at Salt & Straw for some ice cream. It's one of my favorite traditions and always makes the visit even better. Whenever I'm there, I'm reminded of what makes Portland such a special place to call home.
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your experience interning for Councilor Ryan's office?
A: Interning for Councilor Ryan's office has given me a behind-the-scenes look at how local government works and the impact it has on peoples' lives. I've had the opportunity to attend community events, support outreach efforts, take photos for social media, and connect with community leaders across Portland. One thing that's stood out to me is how much collaboration goes into creating positive change.
One area I'm especially passionate about is education, so it's been meaningful to see how local government can support students, families, and schools through partnerships and community investment. This experience has strengthened my desire to pursue a career in public service and has shown me that making a difference often starts at the local level.
Q: What words of advice do you have for high school seniors in Portland who are deciding what's next?
A: My biggest piece of advice for high school seniors is to not limit yourself to just one path or feel like you have to have your entire life figured out right after graduation. Give yourself the freedom to grow, explore new opportunities, and change directions if something no longer feels right. Some of the best opportunities come from simply being open to trying something new.