August Newsletter

Published

August 28, 2026 3:38 pm

In this article

Hi everyone,

What a great summer it's been. I've loved getting to spend time with so many of you at neighborhood block parties: eating good food, listening to great music, and gathering in community in that special Portland way.

Now, it's time for back-to-school season once again. With the return of routine for my kids and their academic lives, followed by a return to normal Council schedules after a flurry of summer events and a brief Council recess, I feel a renewed sense of intentionality in my own endeavors as a Councilor. My team is hard at work setting out our goals for the coming months, and I'm excited to be diving headfirst into some important policy areas and continue the work of making this city the best place to raise a family, where everyone can afford not just to live, but to live well.

But first, let's review what the last month brought - and preview what's around the corner.

At the dais

The future of Moda

Moda is on a lot of people's minds as the City contemplates how best to renovate and activate this space for the decades to come.

Council took a big step on August 12, voting 8-4 to pass the term sheet that will frame up negotiations with the Blazers, our anchor tenant. What we have before us is a reasonable first draft that demonstrates that the City wants to keep the Blazers in Portland and maximizes public benefits through a long-term partnership and public investment.

I voted yes on the term sheet. While it's not everything I'd include, this is a negotiation, and there's a lot to like here. We included a labor peace agreement. We ensure the Moda Center works for a Portland market and is accessible for working people by including guarantees for affordable parking and food options, securing access to public transit, improved and expanded bicycle parking facilities, and EV charging infrastructure. We hold the Blazers to a non-relocation agreement, where all pre-season, regular season, and playoff home games will be played at the Blazers' real home: the Moda Center. And our community benefits plan, among other things, requires continued partnership with neighboring organizations.

And, when it comes to community redevelopment in the surrounding area, we're taking no risks. At the last meeting of the City Life Committee, we referred to full Council a resolution co-sponsored by myself and my District 2 colleagues, Councilors Kanal and Ryan, that would unlock City-owned land for restorative development in Lower Albina, directing the City to negotiate with Albina Vision Trust.

This resolution is one step toward ensuring that, alongside the important decisions we make at Moda, the City is advancing restorative development, creating opportunities for community wealth-building, and supporting a more vibrant and connected Lower Albina. The development rights for this land have been locked up in the lease agreement with the Blazers for a long time, and it's high time we negotiate with a community partner with a real vision and strategy for improving that space.

But back to the term sheet: I was proud to sponsor amendments that significantly strengthen this document alongside Council President Jamie Dunphy and the other two District 2 councilors, Kanal and Ryan. The amendment package includes stipulations like final approval by the Joint Authority over all public financing, City retention of development rights for the parcels of land around Moda, $2M in rent per year from the Blazers with a 3% yearly escalator, reporting requirements from the Blazers on how they're complying with Community Benefits Agreements, and more.

I want to be clear: this term sheet is simply a starting place for negotiations, and any final deal must be a good one for our city and community. I encourage you stay engaged as this negotiation process continues into the fall and before we decide on the final lease agreement by December 17. It's my priority to ensure community is included in the negotiation process every step of the way.

August in review

Sunday Parkways

For the first time since 2019, Sunday Parkways made its return to North Portland! The brand-new route showcased new walking and biking infrastructure investments from the Portland Bureau of Transportation along N Willamette Boulevard.

It was such a blast meeting so many of you while tabling AND getting to bike the route with both my kids afterwards - the way we gather during the summer is one of the things that makes N and NE Portland special. Here's to more weekends like these!

Black Business Month

August is Black Business Month, and District 2 is full of incredible Black-owned businesses with rich history and deep roots. This month, my team spent time connecting with local Black-owned businesses, learning more about how things are going and forming deeper connections between our work at City Hall and the neighborhoods we represent.

Multnomah County Commissioner Shannon Singleton launched a Black Business Scavenger Hunt through the month of August - a perfect way to discover new gems in our District or beyond, or to revisit a familiar place. There's still one day left to play - use the clues on her website to identify and visit the correlating business, and, once done so, use the #SingletonScavengerHunt to share your findings!

Safety in Cully

The first week of August, Portland saw multiple acts of senseless gun violence across the city. Here in District 2, my heart is with the family of 18-year-old Terrell J. Granberg - who was killed in the Cully neighborhood - as well as with the five young people who were injured in the same incident.

Gun violence among youth is preventable. I want all of you to know that my office will continue to prioritize investing in violence intervention, community-building and opportunities for our youth, and a Portland where everyone feels - and IS - safe.

If you or your family were impacted by this tragedy and are in need of resources, please don't hesitate to reach out at [email protected]. I will be meeting with Cully residents tonight at Rigler Elementary School from 6:30 to 8:00 to receive updates on public safety from our City's professional staff and to hear from community members about their experiences and concerns.

Community events and engagement opportunities

Hayden Island Community Conversation

Calling all Hayden Island residents!

I am holding a Community Conversation at Pal's, an amazing waterfront restaurant on Hayden Island, to chat with folks in the neighborhood about the issues we're tackling at City Council, my approach to responsible governance, and the matters that are top-of-mind for this part of District 2. Join me on Friday, September 11, from 2:00 to 3:00. Refreshments will be provided.

If you don't live on Hayden Island, but have pals (I know, I know) who do, please let them know about this event!

Upcoming office hours with staff

Reminder that my staff will be hosting office hours on Friday, September 4 from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Historic Overlook House (3839 N Melrose Dr).Please follow this link to register for a 15-minute time slot! This is an opportunity to share feedback, ask questions, and let my team know what local government can do for your neighborhood and your family.

I-5 closure through Rose Quarter

I-5 through the Rose Quarter in Portland is aging and in need of repairs. Starting September 11, the Oregon Department of Transportation will be closing all lanes of I-5 southbound through the Rose Quarter between I-405 and I-84. This closure will be around the clock for up to 5 weeks. One lane will remain open from I-405 to the Broadway exit at the Moda Center.

This is going to be tough for Portland's workers and families, and it will have an outsized impact on District 2. As much as possible and if you're able, I urge you to plan ahead, leave early, and consider carpooling and/or public transit. This leaves space on the roads for people whose jobs and schedules don't allow them to change their plans. And the more people modify their travel plans, the better the system will function for everyone, including emergency responders.

Visit this link to learn more about the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project, including current and upcoming travel impacts.

Find your Free Trees

Urban Forestry is providing free trees to the community using dollars from the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) - a voter-approved city program that finances community-led climate projects in our city. Whether you're a renter, homeowner, business owner, or educator, there's a free tree program for you! Visit Find Your Free Trees to check your eligibility and learn about the variety of tree-planting programs available to you.

MLK Dream Run and Cully Fest

Saturday, September 19 is Cully Fest - a family-friendly community celebration in the Cully Neighborhood. I'll be there with my kids, and can't wait to connect with some of you in a fun, relaxed environment.

That same weekend is the MLK Dream Run, an annual fundraiser for the Soul District Business Association. Saturday will include live entertainment, food, drinks, and a vendor market, and Sunday will be the race, starting and finishing at Portland Community College. The Dream Run is a great event in our District - I hope you'll participate!

That's all for now, folks. I hope you all have a wonderful Labor Day weekend. Everything we love about our city happens because our collective effort - the work we all do - combines to create the community we live in. Portland is Portland because of working people.

In solidarity,

Elana Pirtle-Guiney