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Transportation, development and urban planning drew attention from Mayor Charlie Hales on Friday during his State of the City address at City Club of Portland.

Citing a 2013 audit that found 44 percent of Portland’s streets in poor or very poor condition, the mayor promised to create a funding mechanism by the end of the year to pay for more road paving and maintenance work.

Although the Columbia River Crossing project won’t move forward, Hales said the city can now focus on corridors such as Powell Boulevard to improve freight movement and pedestrian safety.

Meanwhile, Hales called the Oregon Health & Science University‘s potential creation of a $1.2 billion cancer research center, sparked by a $500 million donation pledged by Phil Knight and a $200 million contribution from the state, the “single most important economic development move for the region and state.”

Hales also touted a new plan to raise $20 million over five years to promote affordable housing in Northeast Portland. He met with a group of 50 African-American community leaders Monday and plans to travel to Los Angeles to meet Trader Joe’s officials to discuss ways to resuscitate a planned $8 million development.

“I think we should build this project,” he said.

Also, Hales announced that San Francisco startup Airbnb, which runs a vacation rental website for unique accommodations, will relocate its North American headquarters to the Blagen Block, at Southwest Second Avenue and Ash Street in Old Town.

Hales discussed how the city could shrink the number and sizes of its urban renewal districts, including the one covering Portland State University. Doing so could put upwards of $1 billion back on the tax rolls and allow the city to “focus on real growth,” he said.

“Eventually, we are going to end those districts,” he said. “Some boundaries on the map are going to change.”