With Portland music venue proposal stalled, developer mulls legal action

The Scarborough-based developer of a controversial proposed downtown Portland live music venue said it is considering legal action against the city for blocking the project. “Litigation is a costly and time-consuming process,” Todd Goldenfarb, managing director of Mile Marker Investments, said in a statement issued on Friday. “Unfortunately, following recent actions by the Portland City Council, we have reached a point where we must explore whether legal action is necessary to protect our rights and preserve the integrity of Portland’s planning process,” the statement continued. Mile Marker, which initially partnered with Live Nation (NYSE: LYV) to form Portland Music Holdings, said it has bought out the California-based concert promoter's interest in the joint venture. The split comes as more than 30 state attorneys general petition a federal court in Manhattan to break up Live Nation and Ticketmaster over an alleged live-entertainment monopoly. As Portland Music Holdings weighs its next move, it is taking legal representation from Portland law firm Marcus Clegg. Proposed venue The proposed 3,300-seat venue would be built on an empty lot at 245 Cumberland Ave., near Merrill Auditorium in Portland City Hall. In late April, the Portland City Council approved a zoning change requiring a 750-foot "buffer wall" between large music venues — effectively blocking the project. In Friday’s statement, Goldenfarb underscored that the planned music hall “complies with the city’s ordinances, and we believe property owners and developers who follow the rules should be able to rely on a fair, predictable and lawful process.”' A spokeswoman for the city of Portland said the city has no comment.