DJC Oregon

PGE planning massive solar projects in Eastern Oregon Portland General Electric will invest more than $1 billion in solar and battery projects to meet fast-growing power demands of data centers.

This was our most-read story in February.

Williams & Russell set to rise in Portland’s Eliot neighborhood Vertical construction is next for the mixed-use development that will offer affordable homeownership and rental housing for the Black community.

After years of planning and environmental remediation, the Williams & Russell project is going vertical this week. djcoregon.com/news/2026/02...

For the first time since 2022, average US long-term mortgage rate dips below 6% The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate slipped this week below 6% for the first time since late 2022, good news for home shoppers as the spring home-buying season gets rolling.

The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate slipped this week below 6% for the first time since late 2022, good news for home shoppers as the spring home-buying season gets rolling.

Interstate Bridge project cost estimates soar up to $17.7B The anticipated cost to replace the Interstate Bridge has more than doubled, raising funding questions even after the U.S. Coast Guard approved a fixed-span design.

The Interstate Bridge program is now saying official cost estimates will be released in March, after City Observatory got ahold of internal estimates of up to $17.7 billion and published them last week.
djcoregon.com/news/2026/01...

Construction defects alleged in 2-year-old Eugene facility The Eugene Family YMCA has sued the architect, general contractor, and engineering firm responsible for building its Don Stathos Campus.

The Eugene YMCA has sued the architect, general contractor and engineer who worked on a two-year-old, $48 million campus with an aquatic center. The suit alleges construction defects. djcoregon.com/news/2026/01...

Portland names new director of Permitting & Development Eric Kutch is the new director of the Portland Permitting & Development bureau following a national search, the city announced Monday.

Portland has hired Eric Kutch, most recently of Houston, to lead permitting.
djcoregon.com/news/2025/12...

Goldman takes loss on Pearl District building Goldman Sachs Asset Management sold a Pearl District mixed-use building at a 78% loss, underscoring continued repricing in Portland’s commercial real estate market.

Goldman Sachs took a significant loss on a Portland building it had owned since 2017.
djcoregon.com/news/2025/12...

OTC advances I-5 Rose Quarter project despite funding gap The Oregon Transportation Commission on Thursday approved moving the project to its next phase and directed ODOT to work with stakeholders.

State transportation officials are moving forward with the next phase of the I-5 Rose Quarter project despite uncertain future funding.

Portland design review study gets green light The City Council on Wednesday approved a resolution to study possible reforms and a moratorium, aiming to streamline development and boost housing production.

Portland's City Council on Wednesday approved a design review study that could lead to a moratorium and other major changes.

Portland councilors push major design review reform The Portland City Council is preparing to consider a resolution that could led to design review process changes and a possible temporary exemption to accelerate housing construction.

Major reform could be coming to Portland's design review system.

Vampire-themed nightclub proposed at Centennial Mills A commercial project is proposed for an existing building at Centennial Mills in Northwest Portland, raising questions about the site's long-planned redevelopment.

Lindquist Development won approval last month for a three-building redevelopment of Centennial Mills. Now, Lindquist is proposing a nightclub in an existing building. Is the developer getting cold feet?
djcoregon.com/news/2025/11...

Hood River–White Salmon bridge project wins federal OK Federal officials approved the $1.12 billion Hood River–White Salmon Interstate Bridge replacement project, allowing final design and permitting to begin.

The $1.1 billion Hood River-White Salmon bridge replacement has won federal approval. Kiewit Corp. is serving as design-build contractor. djcoregon.com/news/2025/11...

Portland Art Museum unveils new Rothko Pavilion The $116 million museum expansion brings together two buildings in a glass connector. The project has added galleries, improved circulation, and expanded exhibits across both wings.

Inside Portland Art Museum's $116 million expansion, designed by Hennebery Eddy and Vinci Hamp and built by Mortenson. The project is complete and the museum reopens to the public Nov. 20.
djcoregon.com/news/2025/11...

Portland’s new single-staircase rule faces big hurdles The city now allows single-staircase buildings as tall as four stories, but a fire access rule may make most projects unbuildable, one designer warns.

Portland has approved new building code allowing for single-staircase buildings of up to four stories. But some designers say that an aerial access requirement for fire safety makes building such projects almost impossible.

Portland to offer $7 million for office-to-housing projects The city is preparing to offer incentives to developers for projects to convert vacant office buildings into multifamily ones.

The city of Portland will offer a $7 million fund to a handful of office-to-residential conversion projects. djcoregon.com/news/2025/10...

Amazon industrial building in Troutdale sells for $113.5M A San Diego-based real estate investment firm has purchased the 857,379-square-foot PDX9 distribution center.

Amazon's leased Troutdale distribution center has sold to a real estate firm for $113.5 million. djcoregon.com/news/2025/10...

Centennial Mills redevelopment OK’d by Portland design panel The Portland Design Commission on Thursday approved the $80 million project with three buildings featuring a total of 272 units and four retail spaces. The development will include river access.

Centennial Mills has won Design Commission approval for a 272-unit, three-building development from Portland's Lindquist Development Co.
djcoregon.com/news/2025/10...

Burger business buys industrial building near Airport Way Fast-food restaurateur In-N-Out has purchased a 71,600-square-foot building on Northeast Sandy Boulevard in Gresham.

In-N-Out has purchased a big Gresham warehouse in Panattoni Development's Portal III campus.
djcoregon.com/news/2025/10...

Trump’s plan to deploy troops to Portland sparks backlash President Donald Trump’s call to send 200 Oregon National Guard troops to Portland faces lawsuits, protests, and pushback from state leaders and businesses.

President Donald Trump‘s announced deployment of the Oregon National Guard to protect federal facilities in Portland focuses attention on a corner of the South Waterfront that has already seen significant protests this year.

Climate-focused renovation set to start soon at OMSI An existing space at the Portland museum is being transformed into the Nancy Stueber Natural Sciences Hall, with exhibits on climate change, sustainability and community action.

Renovation for a climate science exhibit is ahead at OMSI. @omsiedu.bsky.social
djcoregon.com/news/2025/09...

Architecture billings fall again but signs of recovery emerge Architecture billings fell for the 18th straight month in August, but rising project inquiries signal potential stabilization, the AIA index shows.

The value of new design contracts fell for the 18th consecutive month in August, marking the longest decline in 15 years of data, according to the American Institute of Architects.
Could a turnaround be ahead?
djcoregon.com/news/2025/09...

Portland remodel permit program sparks dispute The city's Field Issuance Remodel program faces criticism over exclusivity, with contractors arguing it unfairly disadvantages new and diverse firms.

Portland's FIR program for residential remodel permitting has come under scrutiny for an ongoing freeze that has locked out new and emerging contractors.
A lawyer representing one contractor outside the program has written to city officials.
djcoregon.com/news/2025/09...

Centennial Mills redevelopment plan still awaiting approval The latest proposal to redevelop the Northwest Portland site is on hold as design commissioners seek conditions on river access before voting whether to grant approval.

The Portland Design Commission punted Thursday on a vote to approve a 272-unit residential and retail redevelopment of Centennial Mills.
djcoregon.com/news/2025/09...

Gov. Kotek has directed the state Department of Administrative Services to plan seismic projects on state government buildings.

djcoregon.com/news/2025/09...

Multifamily developer closes on Portland property A local developer has closed on a Southeast Portland property and plans to build two multifamily buildings with 204 apartments.

Seneca Development is following through on plans to build apartments at a former Rite Aid site on Cesar Chavez Blvd. djcoregon.com/news/2025/09...

Portland weighs early design changes for Interstate Bridge Portland is reviewing early Interstate Bridge designs, focusing on waterfront access, transit connections and construction details in a $5B to $7.5B project.

The Design Commission is considering critiques of the Interstate Bridge design. djcoregon.com/news/2025/09...

72-unit multifamily housing in Portland land use review intakes | Sept. 1, 2025

A 72-unit affordable multifamily building has been proposed on Vaughn Street in Northwest Portland. djcoregon.com/news/2025/09...

Small Portland firm finding the middle ground for housing projects QUAD Architects is leading two middle housing projects on Division Street in Portland, showcasing efficient small-scale apartment design.

QUAD Architects, a small Portland firm, has found a niche in middle-housing projects. djcoregon.com/news/2025/08...

OHSU facility’s emergency department receiving remodel The emergency department in Oregon Health & Science University’s Mark O. Hatfield Research Center is undergoing a remodel.

The emergency department in Oregon Health & Science University’s Mark O. Hatfield Research Center is undergoing a remodel. #emergency #OHSU

Tennessee racing venue becoming ballpark for game in August Construction crews are transforming Bristol Motor Speedway so that it can host the Braves and Reds in Tennessee’s first Major League Baseball game.

Turning a racetrack into a baseball field worthy of hosting Major League Baseball takes time and a plan. #mlb