Inter-tribal casino proposed, Portland homeless investments decrease and Coos Bay export terminal receives new push.
Proposed casino project to split revenue among Oregon tribes
One week after the opening of the $500 million Ilani Casino in Ridgefield, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians announced plans to build Oregon’s first inter-tribal gaming and entertainment facility.
Portland investing less in homeless services, despite Mayor’s claims
Mayor Ted Wheeler’s proposed budget includes surplus spending on homeless services. Wheeler said his budget makes the largest investment to address homelessness to date. Budget documents show homeless funding for 2017-2018 is actually $300,000 less than last fiscal year, Willamette Week reports.
Company behind Coos Bay export terminal gets bigger
Canadian company Veresen is behind the push to build an export terminal and 235-mile natural gas pipeline near Coos Bay. Veresen is to be acquired by Pembina Pipeline Corp for $7 billion, OPB reports. The two companies say the merger provides greater financial strength to push the project forward. The terminal was already blocked by federal regulators last year, but Veresen has reapplied and is angling for federal approval.
Portland Art Museum doesn’t have legal right to expand
The museum has raised $27 million toward a $50 million expansion announced last year. But the project, known as the Rothko Pavilion, would fill a space currently occupied by a sculpture garden and a public walkway. The museum needs city permission to build on the public walkway, and didn’t ask for permission until more than half the needed project funding was raised, Willamette Week reports.
Senate confirms new DEQ commission members
In April, Gov. Brown fired three members of the five-person Department of Environmental Quality commission. The replacements — Kathleen George, Molly Kile and Wade Mosby — were confirmed by the Oregon Senate, OPB reports. The new members will oversee an agency transition with new rules under Cleaner Air Oregon.
Bill Wyatt bullish on PDX future
Wyatt is retiring from his position as executive director of the Port of Portland in June. Wyatt says he thinks the airport will continue to grow as long as fuel prices are reasonable, the Portland Tribune reports. He says even if a recession hits, the Port would survive. That’s because 75% of the Port’s money comes from plane passenger volume (fuel charges, concessions, parking fees, etc.)
