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Portland is a Sanctuary City

37751

Label: Resolution

Direct the City Administrator to advance a process to identify a development partner for City-owned properties adjacent to the Moda Center

Adopted
Amended by Council

WHEREAS, the City owns ten parcels in the Rose Quarter in District 2, around Moda Center and the Veterans Memorial Coliseum (VMC) including a number of parcels with redevelopment potential; and

WHEREAS, development procedures for City-owned parcels are addressed in the current lease agreement that is set to expire on October 11, 2030; and

WHEREAS, the City is currently considering terms for a new long-term lease with the Blazers, which is anticipated to be finalized by December 31, 2026; and

WHEREAS, development adjacent to Moda Center has the opportunity to align with other related efforts in the broader Lower Albina area, including the Oregon Department of Transportation's I-5 Rose Quarter Transportation Corridor, Broadway/Weidler Main Street Improvements, Portland Public Schools Prophet Education Center Site redevelopment by Albina Vision Trust, and the Reconnecting Albina Planning Project; and

WHEREAS, since 2012, the Portland City Council adopted a number of foundational plans and guiding policies—including the Portland Plan, the 2035 Comprehensive Plan, the Central City 2035 Plan, and the N/NE Quadrant Plan—that support the establishment of a reconnected, mixed-use residential neighborhood in the Lower Albina area and promote inclusive economic development with emphasis on elevating communities that have been disproportionately burdened, and were sometimes intentionally harmed by past governmental actions; and

WHEREAS, the City of Portland is supporting a variety of complementary planning efforts and projects in Lower Albina in an effort to advance multiple City objectives for the area that include fostering wealth-building and inclusive economic development, vibrant regional entertainment venues, and multimodal regional and local transportation in the area; and

WHEREAS, the Albina Vision Trust, a 501(c)3 community-led development organization, was created in 2017 to steward the vision for the future of Lower Albina: a nationally precedent-setting, 94-acre restorative redevelopment plan for the area; the largest such initiative in the United States with a holistic, child-centered, district-level plan for the creation and generational sustenance of a diverse, abundant and historically informed zip code in the heart of Portland's central city; and

WHEREAS, in July 2024, City Council accepted the Albina Vision Trust Community Investment Plan and affirm City objectives for the area in alignment with the N/NE Quadrant Plan and Central City 2035 Plan; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Charter Section 1-104 the City may sell, dispose or exchange any real property which it owns not needed for public use, by negotiation, bid, auction or any other method the City finds appropriate, including the method for granting of development rights for City-owned properties; and

WHEREAS, ADM-13.02- Disposition of City Real Property requires a consistent process for the identification, notification and disposition of excess and surplus real property, including the granting of development rights.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City anticipates selecting a new development partner to advance vertical development of the City-owned properties adjacent to the Moda and VMC following the new long-term lease for the Moda Center; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Administrator will negotiate in earnest with Albina Vision Trust for the opportunity to serve as the City's development partner; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the development partner should have a community-oriented mission and leadership with demonstrated:

  1. Experience in real estate financing and development or securing partnerships to effectively advance real estate development;
  2. Ability to bring significant philanthropic and/or private investment to the table; and
  3. Experience advancing the public interest and the City's adopted objectives for the area; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the process should consider the organization's development vision for properties, the relationship to the broader Rose Quarter/Lower Albina area, compatibility with the function and operations of the event campus, consistency with the rest of the new Rose Quarter agreements, any costs associated with the granting of development rights, the monetary value of development rights, and potential and/or anticipated public financial support necessary to advance development; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the process should address how the partnership would be structured, the property disposition strategy site by site, the timeline for redevelopment, City and partner roles and responsibilities, and key milestones; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the binding agreements shall return to City Council for consideration on a concurrent timeline as the long-term lease for the Moda Center; and for a period to not exceed 12 months from when negotiations begin.

Exhibits and attachments

Impact Statement

Purpose of proposed legislation and background information

This resolution directs the City Administrator to initiate a process to identify and negotiate with a development partner for City-owned parcels adjacent to the Moda Center. It aligns consideration of a development partner with the anticipated new long-term lease with the Portland Trail Blazers. The resolution emphasizes coordination with broader Lower Albina initiatives and advances a community-centered redevelopment approach consistent with the adopted vision for restorative development in the district.

Financial and budgetary impacts

The resolution itself does not appropriate funds but initiates a process that may have future financial implications, such as costs related to negotiating development agreements. It also anticipates evaluating the monetary value of development rights and potential revenue from ground leases, property disposition, or public-private partnerships. Final fiscal impacts will be determined through subsequent agreements brought back to Council.

Economic and real estate development impacts

Advancing a development partner for these parcels positions the City to catalyze significant mixed-use development in a high-profile central city location. This effort could stimulate private investment, increase property values, and generate construction and permanent jobs.

Community impacts and community involvement

The resolution prioritizes a community-oriented development approach, including negotiation with Albina Vision Trust, which has an established, community-led vision for Lower Albina. It reflects a commitment to restorative development, wealth-building, and addressing historic harms experienced by Black Portlanders. Future phases will require robust community engagement to shape project outcomes, ensure accountability, and align redevelopment with neighborhood priorities.

100% renewable goal

While the resolution does not explicitly mandate sustainability requirements, future development agreements may incorporate the City's climate and energy goals, including progress toward 100% renewable energy. Redevelopment of these parcels presents an opportunity to integrate green building standards, district energy systems, and multimodal transportation infrastructure consistent with Portland's climate action objectives.

Economic and real estate development analysis

Analysis provided by Prosper Portland

Prosper Portland staff has reviewed the Economic and Real Estate Development Impact Analysis submitted for this action and finds that it satisfies the requirements set forth in City Council Resolution 37664. The analysis is sufficiently detailed and complete to be considered a final statement for purposes of this action.

Document history

Document number: 2026-285

President's referral: City Life Committee

Agenda Council action
Regular agenda
City Life Committee
Referred to City Council as amended
Motion to amend the Resolution as shown in Avalos 1: Moved by Avalos and seconded by Morillo. Motion withdrawn.

Motion to amend Resolution as shown in Avalos 2: Moved by Avalos and seconded by Pirtle-Guiney. (Aye (5): Morillo, Zimmerman, Avalos, Ryan, Pirtle-Guiney)

Motion to refer the Resolution as amended, Document Number 2026-285, to City Council with the recommendation it be adopted: Moved by Ryan and seconded by Pirtle-Guiney. (Aye (5): Morillo, Zimmerman, Avalos, Ryan, Pirtle-Guiney)
Regular agenda
City Council
Adopted as amended

Votes
  • Aye (12):
    • Koyama Lane
    • Morillo
    • Novick
    • Clark
    • Green
    • Zimmerman
    • Avalos
    • Smith
    • Kanal
    • Pirtle-Guiney
    • Ryan
    • Dunphy

Document number

2026-285

Contact

Devin Mullins

Chief of Staff, Councilor Elana Pirtle-Guiney

Lisa Freeman

Chief of Staff for Councilor Sameer Kanal

Adam Green

Chief of Staff for Councilor Dan Ryan

Agenda type

Regular

Date and time information

Meeting date
Amount of time requested
30 minutes
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