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Two buildings court PDC’s favor
The debate over where the Portland Development Commission should headquarter its operations once its lease runs out next year is turning into a heavyweight bout of sorts. In one corner is Old Town and the PDC's current digs, the historic Mason-Ehrman Building. In the other corner is the downtown retail district and the state-of-the-art, albeit unfinished, Park Avenue West Tower.
Park Avenue West campaigns for PDC lease
Friday I was afforded the opportunity to meet with Vanessa Sturgeon of TMT Development, Rex Smith of Fought & Company and Shannon McCarthy Berg of Gallatin Public Affairs. As I […]
Park Avenue West campaigns for PDC lease
Friday I was afforded the opportunity to meet with Vanessa Sturgeon of TMT Development, Rex Smith of Fought & Company and Shannon McCarthy Berg of Gallatin Public Affairs. As I […]
Lenders on lookout for red flags
In the mid-2000s, financing a commercial building was a matter of numbers. If at least half of a building was pre-leased, the developer would likely get money. But now it鈥檚 not just the number of tenants that matters to lenders. The tenants have to be the right kind, and represent the right industries, because lenders now tag some with red flags.
No go lending for some industries
When Bob Scanlan, principal of financial firm Scanlan Kemper Bard, uses roller coasters as an analogy for the financial lending industry, it's enough to make you never want to ride one again. Indeed, Scanlan says, the next 12 months will be worse than anything we've ever seen. What that means for new construction projects is they will have to be at least 65 percent pre-leased.
More layoffs could be coming to development bureau
More layoffs may follow for Portland's cash-strapped Bureau of Development Services, which was losing $900,000 per month prior to its recent staff reductions, according to BDS director Paul Scarlett. He said the agency is looking to reduce service hours at its Development Services Center.
Park Avenue West awaits a restart
Though construction on the Park Avenue West tower halted in April, there are new signs the project is moving forward. TMT Development has asked the city of Portland to approve scaled-back plans for the downtown tower. The revamped project calls for 2 bottom floors of retail space topped by 24 stories of office space -- and not a single condominium in sight.
Pulling together in extraordinary times
Large projects will help architecture, engineering and construction industries bounce back
Pulling together in extraordinary times
These are extraordinary times 鈥� Unemployment in Oregon has reached 12.4 percent. That statistic is a high for more than 30 years of record keeping. The city of Portland is […]
918 S.W. Yamhill St.
Many engaged couples may find themselves touring the Pythian Building‘s second floor. That’s where the Adrianna Hill Grand Ballroom, known for hosting wedding receptions, is located. But folks looking for […]
Commercial real estate markets take hits
As industrial and office vacancy rates rise in first quarter, brokers become creative
News
- $960,000 office renovation in Portland building permits | Aug. 10, 2026
- Two projects in historic districts in Portland land use review intakes | Aug. 10, 2026
- Multnomah County commits up to $101.6M for Moda Center
- Portland code changes to take effect in November
- Los Colibris project approved for Portland’s OMSI District
- Pacific Northwest projects totaling $9.9 million in top bidders | Aug. 7, 2026
- Oregon opens infrastructure grant program
- Ex-TV host claps back at Detroit officials in blight case
- 31-unit multifamily project in Portland land use review intakes | Aug. 3, 2026
- $2.4 million office renovation in Portland building permits | Aug. 3, 2026
- Transportation commission weighs ODOT budget cuts
- Lam Research planning $1.7 billion investment in Tualatin
Commentary
- Expecting a big bang but witnessing only a whimper | Opinion
- Beware of when the debt collector comes calling | Opinion
- Assembly of a future workforce begins with an invitation | Opinion
- Beware of overlooking legal requirements for remote workers | Opinion
- Become a critical thinker and transform a workplace | Opinion
- Managing construction risks with international suppliers | Opinion
- A rally with many engines: the lesson of 2026’s first half | Opinion
- Oregon housing challenges persist despite sound and fury | Opinion
- When does an employee’s bullying become harassment? | Opinion
- Ditch disorganization 鈥� the cost of deferred decisions | Opinion
- Consider 10 common risks for healthcare construction projects | Opinion
- Clarifying the reach of a law regarding prevailing wage | Opinion
