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Blog post
A Lower Albina development resolution vote, Parks & Recreation's partnership with USTA PNW, and a brief Moda update
Published
What's been on my mind this week
Portland City Council passes resolution to unlock City-owned land for restorative development in Lower Albina
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.
Portland Parks & Recreation announces partnership with USTA PNW to preserve Portland Tennis Center
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
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.
Special announcements
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.
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.
Grant opportunities
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.