Do you feel the tailwind?

Everyone knows how it feels to catch a good tailwind. You can run a little faster, your flight arrives fifteen minutes ahead of schedule, or your truck gets a little better fuel mileage coming across the state. 

It’s been an exciting week—and folks across Portland are feeling a tailwind. The Blazers are preparing to transfer to a passionate new owner with a winning track record. It’ll take a few months for the sale to finalize, but Blazers fans across Portland (and the world!) are already celebrating. Just upriver from the Moda Center, Phil and Penny Knight announced a $2 billion gift to OHSU for cancer research. It’s a tremendous, unprecedented gift in the fight against cancer and a gamechanger for what is already a leading healthcare institution. 

The latest news from the James Beard Public Market near Pioneer Square is just as exciting. With the latest forgivable loan from our economic development arm Prosper Portland, site demolition has begun, and construction is slated to start in September. Upwards of 40 small businesses will soon occupy the space, further solidifying Portland’s reputation as an unmatched American culinary destination.

With the reorganization of Portland local government and budget negotiations behind us, we’re moving fast on my plan to end unsheltered homelessness and repair, restore, and revitalize our city. I recently gave a presentation to City Council’s Housing and Homelessness Committee. We ended tent distribution, expanded diversion and Loved One Reunification, and opened five new emergency overnight shelters—with more on the way, including day centers. As of early this month, we’ve already provided over 30,000 nights of safe sleep off the streets. 

I’ll leave you with this final thought: a tailwind is nice, but it only becomes transformative when you unfurl the mainsail to catch it. Every one of us is a thread in that mainsail, we all have a role to play, and so much to contribute to our future. I’m excited about what we’re seeing, and our momentum is building. Thank you for joining me in this incredible journey. It’s a privilege to be by your side.

Mayor Keith Wilson