Portland Central City: Big Plan, Big Projects, Big Opportunity

Portland’s Central City is turning a corner. In this episode of HFO Multifamily Marketwatch®, Greg Frick interviews Emily Picha, Project Director and Chief of Staff at ECOnorthwest, about the landmark “All In on the Central City” report released in June 2025.

The study—co-chaired by Governor Kotek and Dan McMillan—draws on 24 listening sessions and identifies 100+ development projects aimed at revitalizing downtown Portland, addressing homelessness, crime, and livability through public-private partnerships and TIF districts.

✅ What you’ll learn in this video:

The origin and purpose of the “All In on the Central City” report.

How 24 community sessions shaped Portland’s urban-revitalization framework.

Key development zones: Albina, OMSI, Broadway, and Lloyd.

The role of optimism, collaboration, and the upcoming Central City Roundtable.

How TIF districts and private investment can jump-start affordable housing and downtown vibrancy.

📌 Chapters:
00:26 – Guest introduction: Emily Picha of ECOnorthwest
00:53 – Background: Governor Kotek’s Central City Task Force (2023)
01:38 – 24 listening sessions and key themes (homelessness, crime, graffiti)
02:20 – Defining the Central City area (Albina to OMSI to Goose Hollow)
03:30 – How Portland’s core neighborhoods are recovering post-pandemic
04:50 – Top 10 Task Force recommendations and visible results (e.g. graffiti cleanup)
05:57 – Documenting 100+ active projects and emerging districts
07:00 – Revitalization examples: James Beard Market & AEG/Live Nation venue
08:15 – Building momentum and creating a Central City Roundtable
09:55 – Public-private partnerships and city engagement
11:30 – Midtown district revival and halo projects (James Beard Market, Beer Garden)
13:20 – Eastside music and cultural hub (Live Nation, Doug Fir, Wonder Love Pod)
14:45 – Permitting and funding barriers; how to cut through red tape
17:20 – Cultural shifts and new programs (Parks & Rec vendor pilot)
19:00 – Funding and philanthropy challenges in Portland
20:40 – City Council reaction and public response to the report
23:00 – TIF districts as a tool for housing and urban development
25:30 – Next steps: Roundtable formation and project tracking (Next Portland map)
27:00 – Closing thoughts and how to access the full report

Useful links & resources:
• Full “All In on the Central City” report (pdf) — https://www.portlandcentralcitytaskfo...

• ECOnorthwest project overview of the Central City Task Force — https://econw.com/project/portland-ce...

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If you care about Portland’s future — urban revitalization, affordable housing, and economic growth — you won’t want to miss this discussion.
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