PORTLAND, OR— The Portland Development Commission reportedly intends to move ahead with its plans to buy developable land this year for a convention center hotel earmarked to help attract large-scale conventions to this city. According to a recent newspaper article, tourism industry as well as PDC officials maintained a convention center hotel of some 800 rooms— located in close proximity to the Oregon Convention Center— could ostensibly help maximize the economic impact of the recently expanded, 370,000-square-foot facility. It was noted PDC Executive Director Don Mazziotti contended any land sales would require approval from the commission, but the resolution already brought before the panel would authorize its staff to work toward accumulating enough land for a hotel by year’s end. Mazziotti was further quoted as saying the commission could spend roughly between $8 million – $10 million to purchase the necessary land. And though he reportedly pointed out the details of a location for the hotel are nowhere near being etched in stone, the PDC is said to be looking at blocks to the east of the convention center— part of about 100,000 square feet of land the commission already owns in the area. SOURCE: The Oregonian
