[NJD]

Public market backers eye site near Morrison Bridge
Portland Business Journal

Supporters of a year-round Public Market have set their sites on a county-owned parking lot near the west end of the Morrison Bridge.

The market, to be named for native son James Beard, would be a year-round indoor facility showcasing Portland food. Backers previously hoped to locate the market in a former U.S. Post Office in Northwest Portland, but lost the 130,000-square-foot building to the Pacific Northwest College of Art.

Now, market supporters are soliciting donations to a capital fund to buy the site near the Morrison Bridge. Supporters say the property near the Willamette River is centrally located for downtown shoppers and workers and is close to the MAX light rail line.

The market and its partner, Melvin Mark Development Co., want to construct a high rise with the market serving as a ground floor arcade.

The property is owned by Multnomah County which earmarked proceeds from its sale to the fund it needs to replace the aging Multnomah County Courthouse. The cost of a new courthouse is estimated at $250 million or more. The county has not committed to selling the valuable site to the Public Market.

Anticipating a competitive sale in early 2009, the market is asking supporters to make year-end contributions to its nonprofit entity, The Historic Portland Public Market Foundation, P.O. Box 511, Portland, OR, 97207.