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Hey Portland,
It finally feels like spring, and we're officially in budget season. Let's get right into it.
Budget Season is Here
April 20 marked the official start of budget season, with Mayor Wilson releasing his proposed budget. Over the next few months, City Council will be focused on reviewing, amending, and debating the FY 2026–27 budget before the final adoption on June 17.
I'm focused on protecting the core services Portlanders rely on every day. That means prioritizing safe roads and parks, accessible public spaces, building new housing to improve affordability, and ensuring 911 calls are answered quickly and reliably.
More to come—the next few months will move fast. But as I've said before, I love this season.
State of the City
Mayor Wilson's State of the City captured both the progress we've made and the work still ahead. I appreciated his focus on core services: parks, community centers, livability, and public safety. Defining what our city must deliver, funding it, and executing those core services at a high standard is exactly how a city should operate.
And thank you, Mayor Wilson, for the shoutout on our Business License Tax relief. It was a pleasure working together on that, and I'm proud it passed full Council.
Showing up to events like these matters. Demonstrating that city leadership is aligned and focused is important. That's how we continue to move Portland forward.
Moda Center Investment
I was proud to join Governor Tina Kotek as she signed Senate Bill 1501, securing $365 million in state funding for Moda Center renovations, without raising taxes on Portlanders. Now it's the city's turn to follow through.
We can't leave this opportunity on the table. A reimagined Moda Center has the potential to be a world-class venue that drives jobs, events, and economic activity across Portland.
What does that economic impact look like? * Numbers are approximates
- $670 million in regional economic activity annually
- $113 million by Moda Center direct visitor spending annually
- $1.2 million in regional economic activity every playoff game
- 7,000 nearby hotel rooms booked per major sports event
- 4,500 jobs tied to arena operations and tourism
That's why investing in the arena is an investment in Portland.
At the State of the City, Mayor Wilson compared Moda Center renovations to PDX Airport—and I think that's exactly the right vision. A city-owned gem in the heart of Portland, and a symbol of Northwest labor and what we can build together.
That means investing in local workforce development, supporting high-quality union construction jobs, promoting a diverse workforce through apprenticeships and local hiring, and prioritizing timber and other materials sourced right here in the Pacific Northwest.
It's also an opportunity to set a new standard for climate-friendly infrastructure, designing a space that's more energy efficient, more sustainable, and built to last for decades.
That's the level of ambition we should be aiming for: a modern arena that serves as home to the Blazers, Portland Fire, and a wide range of events for everyone.
More here as funding discussions come before Council in the coming weeks.
The Elk is Back
We celebrated the return of the Thompson Elk Fountain, one of Portland's most iconic landmarks.
Built in 1900 and named after Mayor David P. Thompson, who served from 1879 to 1882, the fountain originally provided drinking water for both people and animals. And I know what you're thinking—no, you should not drink the water.
Now, the Thompson Elk stands tall once again, right where it belongs, ready to greet Portlanders for decades to come.
Thank you to everyone who made this possible, including Councilor Dan Ryan, the Portland Boosters, Public Works, the Portland Parks Foundation, the Regional Arts & Culture Council, and many others.
Broadway Corridor
During our Spring Technical Adjustment (TAO), Council allocated $56 million in excess housing funds that were first identified back in December, following a round of questions I raised with the Portland Rental Services Office.
I'm proud to share that a portion of those funds is going toward priorities I've been advocating for, including the Broadway Corridor project. This project will connect the Pearl District and Old Town with mixed-income housing, an extension of the North Park Blocks, and a new Green Loop, all connected by public transit from every direction.
The Broadway Corridor will become a unique, distinctly Portland neighborhood, adding 2,400 new households and expanding downtown's skyline. Just as important, it directly addresses our housing shortage while keeping affordability at the core. More than 700 units are dedicated to affordable and workforce housing, and those units are prioritized early in the project's development.
The project is already underway, and this funding brings it one step closer to completion.
Joint Town Hall
Council Vice President Clark and I hosted a town hall at Sellwood Community House with special guest City Administrator Lee. It was great to see so many familiar faces and meet new ones.
Hearing directly from you helps keep me grounded in the issues that matter most across District 4. Thank you for showing up, asking questions, and helping welcome City Administrator Lee to Portland.
What is Eric Eating?!
Mayor Wilson and I celebrated our Business License Tax (BLT) relief ordinance passing full council by eating Bacon, Lettuce, & Tomato (BLT) sandwiches from Katie's Café.
This policy reduces taxes for thousands of small businesses over the next two years and aligns Portland's exemption with Multnomah County's $100,000 threshold by 2027, supporting the businesses that are open today while creating incentives for new ones to open tomorrow.
And the sandwich was tasty, too.
See you soon,
Councilor Eric Zimmerman