☰ Site menu Search
Oregon Convention Center
Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Flickr

Universal Links

  • Calendar
  • Parking
  • Accessibility
  • Eat now
  • 503-235-7575
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Attend
  • Plan
  • Exhibit
  • About
  • In the news
  • Covid-19

WE WELCOME EVERYONE

As hosts to the world, we deeply respect our guests and our community. We’re here to make sure everyone feels safe bringing their ideas, their passions and their hearts to the table. Because positive change can begin anytime, anyplace, with anyone. Like you. Right here. Right now.

  • Attend
  • Events
  • Know Before You Go
  • Parking & Directions
  • Guest Services & Amenities
  • Maps

GO

WE LIVE FOR MAGIC

We live for the lights, the music, the food, the learning, the inspiration, and the togetherness. We live for positive change and transformative experiences that blaze a path toward endless possibilities. The awesome potential of every event keeps us on our toes and, sometimes, knee-deep in caffeine. But the magic of pulling it all off? Totally worth it.

  • Plan
  • Book An Event
  • Floor Plans & Rates
  • Event Services
  • Catering Services
  • Client Services Guide

GO

WE GET IT DONE

Last minute request? Done. Idea about how to do something better? Done. Guest who wants something we’ve never heard of—now, if possible? Done. And done. YES is the answer. Determination, creativity and teamwork are how we deliver on it.

  • Exhibit
  • Order services
  • Load-In & Load-Out

GO

 

WE ARE FORWARD THINKING

Sustainability is in our DNA. It’s who we are and why we do what we do. We’re passionate about cultivating diversity, advancing equity and practicing inclusion in all of the work we do. People. Planet. Progress. It’s how we work toward a better tomorrow.

  • About
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • Sustainability
  • Staff Directory
  • Jobs
  • Public Art Collection
  • OCC Neighborhood

GO

 

In the news

  • Recent Stories
  • Sustainability News
  • Press
  • Our Community Stories

GO

  1. Home
  2. News
  3. Judge rules in Metro’s favor on validation ruling
  • Judge rules in Metro’s favor on...

Judge rules in Metro’s favor on validation ruling

Nov. 20, 2014, news releases

A Multnomah County judge ruled Wednesday that Metro can issue bonds for a proposed Hyatt near the Oregon Convention Center without needing the approval of the region's voters, rejecting a legal challenge from opponents of the project's finance plan.

Earlier this year, Metro filed a so-called validation motion in Multnomah County Circuit Court, asking Judge Eric Bloch to declare its attempts to jump-start the hotel project were within the limits of the regional government's authority.

Metro has been trying for more than a year to start work on the project, a proposed $212 million, 600-room Hyatt hotel that would be built just north of the Oregon Convention Center in Portland.

Metro's agreements call for $78 million in public financing to be matched by about $134 million in private-sector investment. Room taxes, designated to pay for visitor promotion in Portland, will pay off the $60 million in bonds Metro expects to issue.

Opponents to the project argued that state law required Metro to get voter approval before issuing the bonds. But in his 11-page ruling (PDF), Bloch said Metro's home-rule charter, approved by the voters, superseded state law.

"Metro has the authority to issue the revenue bonds under the Metro Charter alone,” Bloch wrote.

The section of state law cited by hotel project opponents says that state law is subject to provisions of the Metro Charter.

Bloch also ruled that the project's development and finance agreement was valid and legal.

"[The opponents'] argument against summary judgment regarding [the finance agreement] is that Metro failed to comply with what Respondents term a 'conditional precedent': submission of the financing package to the voters for their approval," Bloch wrote. "As the court has ruled above that ORS 268.310 has no application to Metro's actions in this case, Metro did not need to submit the financing package to the voters."

Bloch rejected Metro's requests to prevent future lawsuits against the project, saying it would be inappropriate to issue a ruling involving future, hypothetical facts.

In a statement, Metro Council President Tom Hughes said the ruling clears any doubt that the project should move forward.

"From day one, a small but well-funded group of opponents has sought to kill this project," Hughes said. "They raised questions and we answered them. They made false assertions that we corrected with facts. Their final effort was to file a series of lawsuits, at a hefty cost to taxpayers, to no avail."

But project opponents vowed to continue their attempts to stop the hotel's finance plan.

"I would imagine we'd look to appeal the judge's ruling. We disagree and we'll be looking to appeal," said Paige Richardson, one of two hotel opponents to file in opposition to Metro's validation proceeding. "We feel strongly that the voters should have their voices heard."

Some hotel owners, primarily backed by the owners of the Provenance hotel group, are still fighting the project's public investment in lawsuits at the Oregon Court of Appeals and in Clackamas County.

– Nick Christensen

Related 
convention center hotel

Share This Story

Subscribe to OCC News

OCC News Feed

Get In Touch

Our knowledgeable staff is ready to help. Chat with one of our experts now to find out why OCC is the perfect venue for your next event.

  • Give us a call
    503-235-7575
  • Chat with
    an expert
  • Drop us a line
    ask@oregoncc.org

Current events

  • Mar 20—Mar 252023 TESOL International Convention and English Language Expo
  • Mar 21—Mar 21INTERFACE 2023
  • Mar 25—Mar 29Mass Timber Conference 2023
See Full Calendar

Latest news

  • May. 19, 2021Oregon Convention Center proudly supports All4Oregon’s 500,000 vaccination milestone
  • Apr. 28, 2021Oregon’s Largest Vaccination Site is a Logistical Masterpiece. We Take You Inside.
  • Feb. 11, 2021Oregon Convention Center to Serve as Regional Severe Weather Shelter
See All News

Partners

  • TP-Logo.jpg

    TP-Logo.jpg

  • levy.png

    levy.png

  • edlen.png

    edlen.png

Oregon Convention Center
777 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd
Portland, OR 97232

Footer Menu

  • 503-235-7575
  • Jobs
  • News
  • Contact
  • Privacy policy
Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Flickr

Terms of Service Menu

    Hello, we're Metro.

     
    Metro logo
    • Arts and event centers
    • Oregon Zoo
    • Parks and nature
    • Garbage and recycling
    • Land and transportation

    Oregon Convention Center

    Close menu
    Home Close
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Flickr

    Main menu

    • Attend
      +− Submenu
      • Calendar
      • Know Before You Go
      • Parking & Directions
      • Guest Experience & Amenities
      • Maps
    • Plan
      +− Submenu
      • Book An Event
      • Floor Plans & Rates
      • Event Services
        +− Submenu
        • GO Production Services
        • Technology Services
        • Ticketing Services
        • Marketing & Branding
        • Spire Lighting Inquiry
        • Security Providers
        • More Services
      • Catering Services
        +− Submenu
        • Catering
        • Restaurants
      • Client Services Guide
    • Exhibit
      +− Submenu
      • Load-In & Load-Out
    • Covid-19
    • About
      +− Submenu
      • Staff directory
      • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
      • Sustainability
      • Jobs
      • Public Art Collection
      • Our Neighborhood
    • News
    Top