PORTLAND, Ore. — On Friday, local media and city officials got a first look inside of a newly renovated Portland City Hall, nearing completion in the next couple of weeks. The more-than-$8-million-dollar undertaking makes way for 12 brand new city councilors — and a new form of government in Jan. 2025.
"I'm very eager to get it done," said project manager Caitlyn McGeehee, "I want to meet the goals. I want to make the people happy. I want to keep us on time and on budget."
According to city leaders, the team responsible for renovations is doing just that inside of the 129-year-old building.
"We had to weave the new and existing to make sure that we could welcome an expanded council with modern technology, security and accessibility improvements, but also maintain a nod to our historic building," McGeehee said.
"[It's] not only worth it but required," said Mayor Ted Wheeler. "The voters of the city said that they wanted a new form of government; they wanted to expand from five to 12 members of the council. We also need space for the city administrator, for the council clerks, so the chamber obviously had to be completely reworked."
In addition to remodeling the chambers to make space for 10 projected winners so far — and two more when city council races are finally called — crews reconfigured the second-floor offices, and the mayor and city administrator offices as well.
"It's going to be done in about a week and a half, so I'm very excited to see this coming to completion," Wheeler said.
And the completion of the upgrades is one of the final steps in the city's transition. Wheeler said, on the executive side, they've been running under a new form of government for the last six months, after he pulled all bureaus under the interim city administrator's control.
"Basically, we'll be able to toss the keys across the table," Wheeler said. "I am looking for strong continuity as a new council comes on board."
The city will host existing council inside the revamped chambers in December and will then welcome expanded council in in the new year. Although they've made room for all 12 councilors, there's still just as much space for the public, with additional accessibility to council meetings.