Congress Square sale referendum unlikely this fall
The city of Portland may not hold a second referendum on the sale of Congress Square this fall — instead opting for a slower approach in planning the park’s future.
The Portland Press Herald reported that Portland City Councilors and Mayor Michael Brennan agreed in a Monday meeting that they won’t seek a referendum this November that would seek voters’ approval to sell two-thirds of Congress Square to a hotel developer.
Voters approved a new ordinance in June that requires the city to hold a referendum on the sale or transfer of any of its 60 public parks unless the transaction receives a super majority vote by the Portland City Council. The Congress Square sale, originally approved by the council in a 6-3 vote last fall, would have to be approved by voters before moving forward.
During their Monday meeting, city officials and councilors discussed different design options for Congress Square’s future, including the construction of an event center sought by RockBridge Capital that would incorporate a public park on its roof.
Most Recent
Most Recent
Comments