Portland City Hall gets $8 million construction overhaul ahead of government restructuring
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Portland City Hall is wrapping up an $8 million renovation ahead of the city's new government structure.
Beginning in January 2025, Portland will have 12 district-based city councilors instead of 5 at-large city commissioners.
KOIN 6 News got an inside first look at some of the renovations.
The 129-year-old Portland City Hall anchors it as a symbol of the Rose City's enduring legacy, in the heart of downtown. Inside is a mix of fresh and unfinished.
There are new spaces alongside areas still under renovation as crews work to finish the job by the end of the year, despite equipment delays.
"These offices should've been complete by now, and we're pushing the limits to get them done," said Noel Haga, the project superintendent with Howard S. Wright Construction.
Haga and his team kicked off demolition in May to prepare for the new 12-member council. The overhaul includes redesigned chambers, upgraded tech and enhanced security, modernizing the building.
"It's been a great job and it's gonna be one for the books," Haga said.
Randi Selleck is the moves, additions and changes manager for the City of Portland's Facilities Services. It's in part thanks to her that the project is on time and on budget, Mayor Ted Wheeler said.
"As a Portland city taxpayer, I'm happy — I'm pretty happy with my team — we're looking at every little number on the project," Selleck said.
Selleck's goal is to refresh what's here, such as adding a rose petal-shaped wood ornament on the dais as one of many new nods to Portland. However, she's taken a different approach to the furniture.
"The new councilors might be surprised that they have used furniture — brand new spaces, used furniture," Selleck said.
Selleck's team is repurposing furniture from five city offices to refresh the look on a budget.
Meanwhile, Mayor-Elect Keith Wilson won't be part of the City Council, part of the change that came with the voter-mandated government restructuring. Interim City Administrator Mike Jordan is leading the transition.
"It will really be about onboarding the new council and the new mayor into a new form of government and having a separate legislative branch from the executive branch," Jordan said.
The grand opening of the newly renovated space will be held on January 2, just in time for the new council to start.