Portland colleges partner on $100 million academic hub, wind industry gets new project and lawmakers could stop Elliott Forest sale.
PSU, OHSU, PCC partner on $100 million academic building
The partnership will build a new hub for public health, education and city services in downtown Portland, the Oregonian reports. The tower is slated for Southwest Fourth Ave. and Montgomery Street with a 2020 opening date. Portland State has been working on a graduate education center for years. The university first struck out in 2015 when it was denied $17 million in state funding. A non-profit partnership also fizzled last year.
Large wind farm planned for Gilliam County
A 404-megawatt project from Avangrid Renewables will break ground in September, the Portland Business Journal reports. The power purchaser remains a mystery, however. The same situation occurred last year at Avangrid’s 56-megawatt solar power farm in Prineville, which sells power to an undisclosed entity, not a utility.
Lawmakers consider bill to prevent Elliott Forest sale
Gov. Kate Brown’s plan to keep Elliott Forest in public hands includes the sale of $100 million in bonds, which requires legislative approval. The first hearing on such a bill was held yesterday, the Register Guard reports. A sale to Lone Rock for $221 million was negotiated late last year.
NW Natural landlord trying to shame company into staying put
Palo Alto-Based Menlo Equities wants its tenant, Northwest Natural Gas, to stay in its Old Town building. To do so, Menlo has started a public campaign appealing to customers and shareholders who might force NW Natural to stay, the Oregonian reports. Menlo is gathering signatures supporting the claim that moving is a waste of ratepayers’ money. NW Natural, of course, says that’s nonsense.
Idaho customers saving Eastern Oregon town
Huntington, population 400, is one of the few Eastern towns to legalize marijuana sales. That decision — and a stream of customers from Idaho where marijuana isn’t yet legal — has saved the dying town, the Bend Bulletin reports.
North Portland gets first rideshare option
ReachNow is expanding its service area to St. Johns. Although rideshare options are abundant in the Rose City, most of North Portland and St. Johns are out of the coverage area. ReachNow is now also available at Portland Community College’s Sylvania campus.
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