Big Changes To Portland Skyline On The Horizon

By Spencer Raymond (OPB)
Feb. 20, 2016 1:30 a.m.

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A plan announced this month could make for some big changes to the Portland skyline.
A group of property owners and developers have a plan that could create 11 new buildings, some 460 feet tall. The so-called Ankeny Blocks area in downtown Portland is largely undeveloped at this point. Food carts, however, fill several surface parking lots, and the prospect of the food carts moving or closing has many Portlanders upset. 
This is just one proposal in a long — and growing — list of Portland developments. We sat down with Jon Bell from the Portland Business Journal to talk us through some of the big projects.

Ankeny Blocks

There's a plan for up to 11 new buildings, with some as tall as 460 feet. But the proposal is just that — a proposal. The property owners have essentially unveiled a vision for what could happen in that part of downtown Portland. They're saying, "Hey, check out what we could do here, who wants to give us cash to make it happen?" That means the timeline could vary widely, and some very deep-pocketed players would have to step up.

Oregon Square

This is part two of a huge redevelopment of the area immediately to the west of the Lloyd Center. Hassalo on Eighth was the first part of what could be a huge one-two-three for the area. The Oregon Square has some impressive numbers: 944 residential units, 52,794 square feet of retail space, 1,647 bike parking stalls. That would increase the number of housing units available in that neighborhood substantially. 

Convention Center Hotel

After a long battle between regional government Metro and a group of Portland hotel owners, the Oregon Convention Center Hotel is finally moving forward. Opponents argued a large, new hotel could reduce demand for their hotel properties in downtown Portland. Supporters said the city needs a convention center–oriented hotel to make Portland more appealing for major conferences and events. After deal was reached between Metro and the hotel owners (including a transfer of a piece of property), the hotel is going forward. It could open in 2018, according to Jon Bell at the Portland Business Journal. 
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