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City Council on Wednesday upheld the Portland Design Commission’s approval of a 33-story tower at Southwest Morrison Street and Park Avenue, saying the well-designed building was okayed in a legal, public process.

Neighbor George Trinkaus’ appeal questioned the approval of Park Avenue West, a mixed-use retail, office and condominium tower planned by developer Tom Moyer. Among his chief concerns, according to appeal documents, were a 鈥渂ogus鈥� transfer of floor-area-ratio from the adjacent Park Block 5, lack of public process, insufficient investigation of traffic impacts and destruction of the view corridor.

The design team, TVA Architects principal Robert Thompson said on Thursday, had multiple meetings with the design commission and neighborhood association.

鈥淥ur process, from day one, has been completely transparent,鈥� he said.

The project and its mix of uses, supporters said during Wednesday’s hearing, will create a vibrant downtown area day and night.

鈥淭his building has it all,鈥� downtown activist Lili Mandel said. 鈥淛ane Jacobs must be cheering for this building for having so many eyes on the street at all times.鈥�

Applauding a 24-hour city, Trinkaus said, assumes that citizens want that.

鈥淲ho’s deciding this destiny for us?鈥� he said.

City commissioners said that the approval process followed the letter of the law and city code.

And the tower, they said, will make downtown Portland a better place.

鈥淭his modern design will be a welcome addition to the city’s skyline,鈥� Commissioner Sam Adams said.

Demolition on the block is slated to begin at the end of March, with construction beginning immediately after.

鈥淚t’s roaring ahead,鈥� Thompson said.