Portland parents decry possible community center closures due to city cuts
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Community members are up in arms after a recent decision by the Portland City administrator to cut a number of things from the city budget. That includes community centers.
Portland is facing a $93 million budget shortfall, which is less than the $100 million originally projected.
Portland City Administrator Michael Jordan suggested a number of cuts in his budget proposal last month, including some public agency funds, Portland Bureau of Transportation repairs, and several local community centers.
Parents at the St. Johns Community Center told KOIN 6 News spots like this are a hub for the city's underserved communities.
"It's the heartbeat of the community. Here we have a beautifully diverse community, here in the North Portland, which is a historically underserved community in Portland. And it just feels like it's the heartbeat of the community. I work in the community here. I see my students working at the community center here. My students teach here and teach my kids here," said parent Kathryn Henderson. "I see them out in the community, and I see them working here. And it just feels like more and more is just taken away from us here in the North."
The potential closures are not set in stone just yet; the city is still accepting feedback from the community during recently planned community listening sessions.
City officials said this is a preliminary, first draft and that these ideas serve as a "starting point."