Convention Center Hotel Opponents Lose Appeal

By Rob Manning (OPB)
Portland, Oregon July 29, 2015 11:10 p.m.
Artist's May 2015 rendering of Oregon Convention Center hotel.

Artist's May 2015 rendering of Oregon Convention Center hotel.

courtesy of Metro

Opponents of Portland's proposed convention center hotel lost their latest legal fight with local government officials Wednesday.

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The Oregon Court of Appeals ruled that Multnomah County elections officials were right to stop an effort to refer key decisions to the ballot. In short, the appeals court says changes to lodging taxes were administrative decisions that can't be referred to voters, as hotel opponents had wanted.

Supporters of the government-backed hotel say it will bring business to the convention center, and help the regional economy. Critics say the hotel shouldn't need taxpayer support. They also claim that the contract with the Hyatt Hotel group was awarded unfairly.  
 
Opponents could next ask the state Supreme Court to hear the case.
 
Metro Council president Tom Hughes said Wednesday's decision clears "any lingering doubts," and that "further legal challenges are simply about delay."

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