Colas Development Group has been selected to enter exclusive negotiations to build a $70 million hotel and conference center in south downtown Portland, according to a press release issued by Portland State University on Tuesday.

The Portland-based developer will have the inside track on building a 150-room hotel and conference center alongside the future Performing Arts + Culture Center. PSU will act as the overall developer of the project.

The hotel and conference center will complement the 3,000-seat Performing Arts + Culture Center, which will be owned by the city of Portland. The new hotel building will replace the existing University Place Hotel & Conference Center, which was completed in 1970 at 310 S.W. Lincoln St.

The projects will “help elevate Portland as a cultural destination, reignite investor confidence, activate south downtown, strengthen PSU’s signature performing arts program and energize the city’s arts ecosystem,” PSU stated.

The city of Portland and PSU have moved forward on a plan to replace the Keller Auditorium as the city’s premier venue for Broadway shows and other entertainment. A recent market feasibility study conducted by Hunden Partners found Portland has insufficient demand for two similar venues, and preferred the PSU site.

No decisions have been made about the future of Keller Auditorium.

Colas Development Group will work alongside HMS Developments, a firm led by Ndamukong Suh, the retired NFL star and Portland native who has launched several entrepreneurial projects.

“We believe downtown Portland’s best days are still ahead,” Andrew Colas, president and CEO of Colas Development Group and Colas Construction, stated in a news release. “This is more than a development project. It is an opportunity to help shape the next chapter of our city.”

Colas added that his firm and HMS Developments are bringing together “locally headquartered leadership, private investment and a shared vision for Portland’s future.”

Neither a contractor nor an architect has been chosen yet for the project.

Greg Goodman, co-president of Downtown Development Group, said hotel-conference centers tied to universities have worked well in other cities such as Austin, Texas.

“I think that’d be a positive, definitely,” Goodman said.

The exclusive negotiating agreement will remain in place for at least six months. PSU stated that the next step is “dependent on the city of Portland and its elected officials providing confidence that the project will move forward.”

Colas Development Group is an outgrowth of Colas Construction, Oregon’s largest minority-owned contractor that was founded in 1997 by Andrew’s father, Hermann Colas Jr.

Colas Construction has emerged as a force in public contracting. The firm has built affordable housing, including the 206-unit Hazel Ying Lee Apartments at 3000 S.E. Powell Blvd., commercial projects such as Alberta Commons, and renovations to the Oregon Convention Center.

The development arm is newer but also busy. Alongside Beam Development, Colas Development is developing Steelhead, a 3,500-seat capacity concert venue in Portland’s Central Eastside. The facility for concert giant Live Nation, now under construction, is scheduled to open in summer 2027.

HMS Developments previously developed the Weidler, a 101,600-square-foot Slabtown multifamily project that was completed in 2023.

The post Colas business gains edge for $70M development in Portland appeared first on Daily Journal of Commerce.

Each year, the Portland Design Commission produces a report that details development in the city and highlights major projects.

This year’s State of the City report does that and a little more: It defends the design review process itself.

The report, prepared by commissioners led by Chairwoman Chandra Robinson, an architect, was adopted by the commission on March 19. It comes as the City Council has requested a separate report on design review with an eye toward reform — including a possible temporary suspension of design review requirements.

The report to the City Council, by staff of Portland Permitting and Development as well as Planning and Sustainability, is due on April 9.

Robinson emphasized the Design Commission’s flexibility, in presenting the State of the City on March 19. In recent years, the commission has adjusted to design overlay zone amendments in 2021, revamped historic resource codes in 2022, streamlined design review and neighborhood contact procedures in 2024, and implemented code changes to design and development standards in 2025.

“These are all intended to improve outcomes for development, right?” Robinson said. “We want to encourage it, and we want to make things simpler when we can.”

Robinson backed discretionary review, whereby commissioners are guided by design review standards but not limited to them.

“When we have discretionary review, we’re able to allow modifications that are not strictly allowed by the zoning code and by standards,” Robinson said. “So, it is helpful to come through the Design Commission if there are things in your project that do not fit standards.”

Commissioners pointed to their approvals of major projects including Hollywood HUB, a 222-unit affordable housing building under construction on Northeast Halsey Street; the Lloyd Center concert venue, and Portland State University’s 80,000-square-foot Schnitzer School of Art + Art History + Design.

Production of market-rate housing has plunged in recent years, and design review has come under fire for adding costly delays. Other cities have curtailed design review; in September 2025, the Seattle City Council suspended design review requirements.

But Portland design commissioners laid the blame for declining construction on market forces and not regulatory obstacles.

“Because of economic conditions and the cost of borrowing money, the cost of construction has been a real difficult obstacle over the last few years, and we’re seeing diminishing projects coming through and not very many cranes on the skyline,” Commissioner Brian McCarter said during the March 19 meeting.

“However, I think Design Commission always remembers that we are that body who is approving real projects that are going to be built out there, and they’re going to be basically the implementation of our vision of the city we want to be,” McCarter added.

In previous years, design commissioners have presented the report to the City Council in person during a public council meeting. No such presentation is scheduled this year amid the reform push.

“We don’t have dates scheduled for a presentation of the State of the Cities reports (for both the Design Commission and the Historic Landmarks Commission) to the City Council or one of its committees,” Permitting & Development spokesman Ken Ray stated in an email. “I do not know if a presentation will be scheduled or if the reports will be provided to the City Council by other means.”

Elliott Kozuch, spokesman for the city’s Community and Economic Development departments, noted that the State of the City report is not finalized.

“It is within council’s purview to determine whether they would like the information presented at an upcoming council or committee meeting,” Kozuch wrote in an email.

The post Portland Design Commission defends design review process appeared first on Daily Journal of Commerce.

Portland design commissioners gave advice Thursday on an early design for a proposed Portland State University student dormitory.

University officials have opted to take the project through a Type II design review process, which is overseen by Portland Permitting & Development staff. That means the Design Commission will not again consider the project unless the staff’s decision is appealed.

The proposal for 1831 S.W. Park Ave. calls for 216 to 269 rooms in a building that would reach five or six stories.

“We’re still exploring both (configurations),” said Michael Coon, a GBD Architects associate principal.

The project has been somewhat controversial because the new building would replace two dating from the early 20th century: Blackstone Residence Hall, completed in 1931, and Montgomery Court, which was built in 1917 for the Portland Women’s Union. Both are brick structures that preservationists have praised for fine detailing.

Advocates who testified on Thursday urged the university to reconsider the design, or at least incorporate brick and other historic touches.

“We would always prefer the preservation of historic buildings,” said Xavier Stickler, chairman of the Downtown Neighborhood Association‘s land-use committee.

Stickler urged designers to incorporate the Blackstone’s statuary into the new building. He also asked designers to consider using mass timber rather than a five-over-one design.

Hannah Bronfman, a member of the Historic Landmarks Commission, said the building should better reflect its surroundings.

“The building reads very generic — one that could exist almost anywhere,” she said.

PSU officials have said the building is crucial to attract new students. The university, which began life as a post-World War II commuter campus, has never had purpose-built student housing.

“This project brings vibrancy by students living on campus,” said Ashley Wendler, PSU’s executive director of University Housing and Residence Life. “These students really become integral to the downtown community.”

A structural engineer was brought in to evaluate the possibility of renovating the historic structures but found that they would require seismic upgrades and major interior reconfiguration, said Tom Maki, who is serving as owner’s representative for PSU.

“For a number of reasons, it just was not feasible,” Maki told commissioners.

The proposed building would hold approximately 550 beds, mostly in double-occupancy units. Some units would have single or triple occupancy.

Fortis Construction is on board as general contractor. Lango Hansen is the landscape architect.

The building would also have a single classroom and three community rooms per floor. A bike parking hub would be located outside the main building.

PSU officials hope to open the student building in time for the start of the fall term in 2028.

“The timing of that is really important to us,” Wendler said.

The post PSU dorm building plan draws preservation concerns appeared first on Daily Journal of Commerce.

Portland State University is moving forward with plans to build a six-story, 124,000-square-foot dorm building for first-year students.

PSU on Tuesday requested an early assistance meeting with Portland Permitting & Development for the proposed project at 1831 S.W. Park Ave.

“This is an opportunity to build our first purpose-built, first-year residence hall,” said Ashley Wendler, PSU’s executive director of University Housing and Residence Life.

The project, first announced in January, would include approximately 550 beds, mostly in double-occupancy units. Some single-occupancy and triple-occupancy units would also be part of the mix.

GBD Architects is designing the building. Fortis Construction is on board as general contractor; subcontractors have not yet been hired.

Amenities would include private restrooms in each unit, multiple community lounges per floor, study nooks, classrooms, community and allergen-free kitchens, a music practice room and offices. A large porch area would front the South Park Blocks.

The location is “one of the more premier lots on campus, I would argue,” Wendler said.

Delivery of the building would free up space in others for transfer students, graduate students and continuing students, according to PSU officials. Freshmen currently reside in the Broadway and Ondine residence halls.

The development is in part intended to compete with other institutions’ buildings that offer modern amenities, Wendler said. PSU is projecting flat enrollment for the next several years.

“Our enrollment is steady,” PSU spokeswoman Christina Williams said. “What we’re doing is replacing some buildings that are at the end of their useful life as far as being modern, accessible and seismically sound.”

Prices will be on par with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development guidelines for affordable housing, PSU officials said.

“Portland’s an expensive city to live in,” Williams said. “Any housing that we can offer that’s affordable for students is better for student outcomes.”

Unlike in many market-rate buildings, on-campus renters do not have to post large security deposits or first and last months’ rent, Wendler said. No proof of income is required, and the application fee is a modest $50.

“We are low-barrier housing,” she said.

Work is expected to begin in late 2026 with deconstruction of the Blackstone and Montgomery buildings. Construction of the new building is slated to begin in winter 2027 and expected to finish in time to accommodate students in fall 2028.

The post PSU planning new dorm building for first-year students appeared first on Daily Journal of Commerce.

Hundreds of millions of dollars are due to be invested in performing arts infrastructure at the southern end of downtown Portland, and project stakeholders are continuing to secure funding to advance development.

The Performing Arts and Culture Center (PACC) will feature a Broadway-capable theater with up to 3,000 seats. The approximately $385 million venue will be owned by the city; officials are seeking funding, according to Jason Franklin, Portland State University associate vice president for planning, construction and real estate.

PSU‘s portion of the project will include an approximately 1,200-seat theater and academic space, a 150-room hotel with conference space, and a parking structure. Late last month, the Oregon Legislature provided substantial state support by approving issuance of $137.5 million in bonds ($85 million for the theater building and $52.5 million for the parking).

“The state’s investment in Portland State University represents a profound commitment to the importance of the arts in bringing together community and activating Portland’s downtown core,” Mayor Keith Wilson stated.

The hotel building will be developed and controlled by a hotel investor. Approximately $71 million for that project piece will be supplied by investor equity/conventional debt.

PSU also has received commitments totaling $7.6 million from Prosper Portland and $10.5 million in philanthropic pledges. University officials will aim to raise $20 million more via philanthropy.

“We’re in the funding portion of the project,” Franklin said.

The PACC will sit on a 4.25-acre PSU parcel: the current University Place Hotel property, at 310 S.W. Lincoln St. The site’s existing building and another building at 330 S.W. Lincoln St. will be demolished to accommodate the new development.

Bora Architecture & Interiors has completed conceptual design. A request for proposals (RFP) process will be launched, possibly in 2026, to secure an architect and a general contractor. Currently, design is expected to begin in 2027. Then construction would start in 2028 and finish in late 2030.

The total project cost estimate is from $615 million to $650 million. The state funding is a testament to the commitment of Gov. Tina Kotek and the Oregon Legislature to invest in performing arts, PSU, and downtown Portland, Franklin said.

“There’s a lot of opportunity for us to think about the next 100 years of performing arts here,” he said. “This is a great opportunity for the city and the region.”

PSU will use state-backed debt (to be repaid via parking revenues) to construct the parking. Officials have looked at scenarios with 500 to 700 spaces on-site and would prefer to build above ground to the extent possible since it would be less expensive and easier given the performing arts use, Gard Communications‘ Chelsea Punian, spokeswoman for PSU, stated in an email.

Community members have indicated to PSU officials that they hope the 3,000-seat theater will have a welcome, Northwest feel, Franklin said. Officials are looking at how mass timber can be incorporated, particularly in the atrium portion, he added.

Plans call for incorporating artist wellness rooms and storage space in the 1,200-seat theater. Ancillary retail space may be included as well, Punian stated.

“One thing that’s really difficult at the Keller (Auditorium) right now is just not having a lot of front (of) house space to sell merchandise,” Franklin said.

Also, multiple bars and restaurants are planned on-site.

The PACC is the first phase of Portland’s strategy, authorized by the City Council in October 2024, to develop two Broadway-capable theaters in sequence. The second phase will be a renovation of the Keller Auditorium.

The post New downtown Portland theaters on the horizon appeared first on Daily Journal of Commerce.

Project name: Portland State University Vernier Science Center

Location: Portland

Completion: August 2024

Size: 89,500 square feet

Cost: $62 million

Owner: Portland State University

Architect: Bora Architects

Interior Designer: Bora Architects

Engineers: AEI (Affiliated Engineers Inc.), Catena Consulting Engineers, Samata Consulting Engineers

General Contractor: Skanska USA Building

Submitting Company: Skanska USA Building

Subcontractors: Bargreen Ellingson, Building Material Specialties, Consurco, Cosco Fire Protection, D&R Masonry Restoration, EC Electric, Encore Glass, Interior Tech, MacDonald Miller Facility Solutions, McDowell Shotcrete & Concrete, Milne Masonry, mottLAB West, Mt. Hood Window Coverings, Norse Ironworks, Pac Green Landscape, Rubenstein’s Contract Carpet, Sign Wizards, Skyline Sheet Metal, Snyder Roofing & Sheet Metal, Stonhard, TK Elevator, Total Mechanical, Turtle Mountain Construction, Western Partitions, Williamsen & Bleid

Portland State University’s 1967 Science Building One has been reborn as the Vernier Science Center, setting a new standard for inclusive STEAM education through unprecedented collaboration with BIPOC students.

The renovated center represents a dramatic shift from its Brutalist origins into a welcoming space that intentionally addresses historic inequalities in science education.

The level of student and community engagement was unprecedented in PSU history. The renovation applied a Critical Race spatial lens throughout the design process. Indigenous perspectives feature prominently in the building. Each floor is named after plant or animal relatives significant to Native cultures, with QR codes providing audio recordings in Native languages. The center includes a community gathering room, decolonized library and food/plant teaching kitchen.

The food lab supports the Indigenous Traditional Ecological and Cultural Knowledge Program, allowing Native community members to process and preserve their own foods – a direct contribution to food sovereignty efforts.

Innovative solutions overcame significant technical challenges. When the roof couldn’t support seismic loads for new systems, engineers implemented ancillary steel spanning the mechanical screen, avoiding costly structural upgrades.

Engineers’ initial investigations revealed that the actual structure did not match the as-built drawings. Laser scanning and BIM coordination identified these discrepancies early, preventing expensive change orders.

The project achieved LEED Gold certification through carbon-reduction strategies including reuse of the existing structure, and improving energy efficiency by upgrading single-paned windows and modernizing mechanical systems. The team reused as many items as possible, including salvaging laboratory equipment and casework, and refurbishing the existing elevator.

Adjacent to the center, a new park replaced the demolished Stratford Hall. This outdoor classroom features micro prairies and native species significant to Indigenous cultures, supporting PSU’s urban Oak Savanna restoration efforts.

Safety innovations included implementing Green Dot for the Trades bystander training. Every craft worker received training on proactive intervention strategies, fostering a culture of accountability and providing tools to address inappropriate behavior.

The VSC project had a high participation of small and diverse businesses. The project goal for diverse participation was 20 percent, and the final project achieved 26.6 percent, with $14.72 million paid to HUB and COBID-certified subcontractors. Skanska USA Building exceeded its diverse business participation goal by implementing flexible procurement policies that accommodated smaller or newer diverse businesses. Early payment prioritization and breaking larger contracts into smaller work packages also contributed to this success.

The post Portland State University Vernier Science Center appeared first on Daily Journal of Commerce.

Woodblock‘s designs can be seen throughout the area – from multifamily and office developments to hospitality, industrial, public works, grocery stores, restaurants and religious facilities. The firm emphasizes sustainable design practices, focusing on energy efficiency, resource conservation and the use of eco-friendly materials where appropriate, including the use of wood as a primary building material.

Woodblock recently was named the preferred awardee for the Tualatin Soil and Water RFP, outpacing several established architecture firms in the Portland metropolitan area. The company was involved with the Block 216 building, which houses the Portland Ritz Carlton Food Hall, and it has an on-call contract with Portland State University.

The firm also was involved with the recently reopened Michael’s Discount Furniture in Gresham, and in the works is a project to transform an historic neighborhood auto repair shop in Northeast Portland into a cart pod featuring a bar and seating area.

On a national level, Woodblock continues its partnership with Dutch Bros., developing innovative conversion projects for the coffee chain.
In November 2024, the Daily Journal of Commerce recognized Woodblock’s Brownsville Recreation Center with a Top Projects award in the Public Projects division.

Woodblock enjoys collaborating with local organizations and institutions, allowing it to contribute to the development and enhancement of community spaces.

The post Woodblock Architecture appeared first on Daily Journal of Commerce.

Portland State University’s design for a new four-story School of Art + Design building has been  unanimously approved by the Portland Design Commission.

The building, located at 1914 SW Park Ave., is a four-story structure with a two-story wing to the south. The project will bring PSU‘s art and design department into one building. Currently, the school operates at various campus sites. It is a project the school has been working on since 2014.

The project had a previous design advice request meeting in January.

The building is on a full block in the Central City Plan District and consists of 100,000 square feet of classrooms, studios, offices, galleries and supporting spaces. At the ground level, the design includes the main entry and art and design galleries on Broadway Avenue facing east, a front porch on the “Green Loop” on College Street facing north, a courtyard for events and display on Park Avenue facing west, and visual links to the Native American Student and Community Center on Jackson Street facing south. The proposal also includes development of the vacated portion of SW College Street into a linear park to accommodate the future Green Loop. Loading and service spaces are located on Jackson mid-block.

LEVER Architecture designed the project for PSU.

Thomas Robinson, founder and principal at LEVER Architecture, said this is an important site on the South Park Blocks.

“We see this project as a connector, almost as a bridge, where we’re really bringing all of the school of arts together,” Robinson said.

The design includes an outdoor work yard, lecture hall and events space, and galleries. The work yard was specifically requested by the students, Robinson said. It will have a secure gate on one side and can be opened for events or larger gatherings. The gate will be transparent whether it is closed or not and will be green, the same color as the building.

The design includes a mass timber building, which the team is working on with Timberlab. The exterior of the building will be green. The specific shade is yet to be determined by the design team. The commission expressed confidence that the design team will determine the right green shade.

Building materials include cross-laminated timber, profiled and flat metal panels, aluminum curtain wall system, aluminum windows and painted steel canopies. The gates at the courtyard will be painted steel frames with perforated infill panels. Curved corners at opaque areas of the facade lend variation to the vertically ribbed exterior cladding and are expressed at interior student commons spaces as curved walls and benches, a BDS staff report states.

A modification was proposed to increase the maximum allowed setbacks on SW Jackson Street from 12 feet for 75 percent of the block to 17 feet setback for 51 percent of block. Two adjustments were proposed as well: to allow loading off SW Jackson Street, which is considered a Major City Bikeway; and to provide one Modified A loading space rather than the required two spaces.

The commission supported the modification and adjustments.

Commission members were in support of the massing of the building, which scales down to the two-story wing, complementing the lower height of the adjacent Native American Student and Community Center.

The project is valued at about $21.2 million, according to BDS.

Swinerton is scheduled to break ground on construction next year. A grand opening is planned for 2026.

The post PSU’s new art + design building gets green light appeared first on Daily Journal of Commerce.

A proposal to construct a new classroom building on the Portland State University campus is moving through the city’s design review process.

The School of Art + Design Building would be four or five stories tall and potentially hold 102,673 square feet. A mass-timber structure is planned.

The project site, at 1914 S.W. Park Ave., would also see development of a section of the Green Loop multimodal path along the vacated portion of Southwest College Street between Southwest Park Avenue and Southwest Broadway. The site is within the Central City Plan District.

The project team includes owner Portland State University, architect LEVER Architecture, general contractor Swinerton, structural engineer KPFF, mechanical engineer PAE, plumbing engineer Burman Design of Federal Way, Washington, electrical engineer Samata Engineers, civil engineer Vega Civil Engineering, and geotechnical engineer GRI.

This project presents a great opportunity for PSU‘s School of Art + Design to come together under one roof, LEVER Architecture associate Nate Lambdin told the Portland Design Commission during a hearing on Thursday. Currently, the school operates at various campus sites.

Classrooms and studios would make up the bulk of the building. On the ground floor, art and design galleries would welcome students and community members. On the building’s north side, daylight would illuminate classrooms and studios.

A courtyard, called “The Work Yard” is included in the proposal. LEVER Architecture is trying to figure out how to secure the space. There is a desire to have it open to the public for events but closed to the public during certain hours to allow students to work on projects.

A modification requested by the project team calls for loading access via Southwest Jackson Street. According to the commissioners’ report, Jackson Street between Park Avenue and Broadway is classified as a major city bikeway, and vehicle access to a loading area is not allowed from a major city bikeway. Code prohibits access to a loading space from Park Avenue and Broadway frontages; therefore, Jackson Street is the only viable option for accessing the code-required loading, the report states.

The vacated portion of Southwest College Street near the project site may become the first constructed portion of the Green Loop in the area. City staffers have encouraged the design team to consider a user access and maintenance perspective and to propose a design and material palette that can continue to be used throughout the area.

Commissioners also discussed location plans for utilities in the building. They asked the design team to explore reducing the amount of utilities along the frontage.

The 2021 Oregon Legislature approved $50 million for the project, according to PSU. Officials are seeking an additional $27 million in 2023. State funds are to be complemented with more than $5 million in donations. To date, $1.84 million in philanthropic support has been committed to the project.

The project team is at the end of the schematic design phase. The team will seek design review approval at a date to be determined.

The post New home coming for PSU’s School of Art + Design appeared first on Daily Journal of Commerce.

Portland State University has selected LEVER Architecture to design a new $77 million home for the School of Art + Design.

The building will be located along the South Park Blocks between College and Jackson streets. It will have approximately 80,000 square feet of classrooms, studios for sculpture, printmaking, textile arts, photography and videography, and graphic design labs.

Oregon legislators in 2021 approved $50 million for the project and PSU is seeking $27 million more. So far, $1.84 million in philanthropic support has been committed to the project.

LEVER Architecture was one of 11 firms vying for the project. The selection process included meetings with faculty as well as listening sessions with students.

“Portland State is thrilled to be working with LEVER on this important new building for our campus,” PSU President Stephen Percy stated. “The new home for the School of Art + Design will serve as a beacon for the important role our creative community plays in the Portland region, and for the arts that add so much to the daily lives of our students and employees.”

The new building will bring the entire School of Art + Design under one roof; currently it operates at multiple sites on campus.

LEVER Architecture principal Chandra Robinson has a bachelor’s degree in geology and physics from PSU. During childhood she lived on the campus while her mother attended classes there.

“My experience at PSU was formative, instilling in me an appreciation not only for art, but a true love for Portland,” Robinson stated. “I loved the vibrant community of students at PSU, and working with today’s PSU community to create an arts and design center that serves as a new model for equity in the arts, and that uplifts the school and Portland is exactly the kind of project that motivates my work as an architect.”

Design work for the School of Art + Design building will begin this spring. Construction is slated to start in 2023, and the building is expected to open in fall 2025.

The post Portland firm chosen to design PSU building appeared first on Daily Journal of Commerce.