Lloyd District News

[downtownpdx]

Just saw this, very cool. This neighborhood desperately needs something like this, and I’m sure Rose Quarter attendees would use it as well.

[dizflip]

Originally Posted by downtownpdx

Just saw this, very cool. This neighborhood desperately needs something like this, and I’m sure Rose Quarter attendees would use it as well.

While I welcome any development along the streetcar route, Portland should diversify its attractions. It can't all just be food carts.

[downtownpdx]

In this particular part of town I think this is a good idea, not just to entertain convention goers but into full a gap since there is a pretty limited selection of places to eat/drink in walking distance that aren’t Red Robin, Denny’s etc. It’ll add to the street life in the area and bring in local businesses. Not saying Portland doesn’t need more attractions, but this is needed in the area regardless of the convention center.

[maccoinnich]

Originally Posted by dizflip

While I welcome any development along the streetcar route, Portland should diversify its attractions. It can't all just be food carts.

While I do wonder when/if we'll hit saturation on food carts, this is an area of Portland that sees a lot of visitors, with very little of what makes Portland Portland. Indeed, the whole area is a bit of a desert as far as options for food and drink go. With a new WNBA team at the Moda Center, a newly renovated VMC that will hopefully be seeing more events, and a new music venue that will be complete by 2027, it seems like there should be enough events going on nearby to support the carts/bar (and hopefully other ventures nearby over time).

[AdamUrbanist]

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

While I do wonder when/if we'll hit saturation on food carts, this is an area of Portland that sees a lot of visitors, with very little of what makes Portland Portland. Indeed, the whole area is a bit of a desert as far as options for food and drink go. With a new WNBA team at the Moda Center, a newly renovated VMC that will hopefully be seeing more events, and a new music venue that will be complete by 2027, it seems like there should be enough events going on nearby to support the carts/bar (and hopefully other ventures nearby over time).

Totally agree. I hope this is the beginning of the Lloyd district's turnaround moment. Things like foodcarts and hip stores in the mall run by twenty somethings punch above their weight in revitalizing this area

[PhillyPDX]

Originally Posted by AdamUrbanist

Totally agree. I hope this is the beginning of the Lloyd district's turnaround moment. Things like foodcarts and hip stores in the mall run by twenty somethings punch above their weight in revitalizing this area

I assume with the recent sale of the old Macy’s to the current developer means future phases of the overall master plan will be announced soon. At least I hope.

[DMH]

Originally Posted by PhillyPDX

I assume with the recent sale of the old Macy’s to the current developer means future phases of the overall master plan will be announced soon. At least I hope.

Correction: The former Sear's store was sold.

[PhillyPDX]

Originally Posted by DMH

Correction: The former Sear's store was sold.

Yeah, I forget what was where. Didn't Sears go out of business like 20 years ago (as a company)?

[rsbear]

Originally Posted by PhillyPDX

Yeah, I forget what was where. Didn't Sears go out of business like 20 years ago (as a company)?

The Lloyd Center Sears store closed in 2018. There were only 5 open Sears stores in the U.S. (none in Oregon) as of September 2025.

[DMH]

Originally Posted by PhillyPDX

Yeah, I forget what was where. Didn't Sears go out of business like 20 years ago (as a company)?

Well, I did buy my Kenmore refrigerator at the Sear's store in Lloyd Center in 2015. I know that it did not immediately fold after my purchase.

[maccoinnich]

The Lloyd Center redevelopment has been submitted for a Type III Central City Master Plan review:

A voluntary Central City Master Plan (CCMP) to establish a vibrant center of urban life for NE Portland and the Central City with new residential, retail, institutional, and employment uses and a dynamic and connected public realm. The Lloyd Center CCMP will support redevelopment of the 27.1-acre Lloyd Center Mall site, including the Regal Cinemas parcel (across NE Multnomah from the Mall), into 14 development areas entitled with approximately 7.0 million gross square feet of development, plus 6.18 acres of publicly-accessible open spaces and new public rights of way. The Lloyd Center CCMP proposes a flexible framework to allow the redevelopment to unfold in increments based on market conditions while fulfilling the vision. Stormwater runoff within the CCMP boundary will be designed to meet applicable City of Portland (SWMM) criteria: runoff from the development areas will be mitigated using green roofs according to City of Portland requirements and on-site detention vaults equipped with flow control devices, and runoff from the new rights-of-way will be served by stormwater treatment planters located within the rights-of-way.

[PhillyPDX]

Originally Posted by maccoinnich

The Lloyd Center redevelopment has been submitted for a Type III Central City Master Plan review:

I wonder if this happened now that the owners just closed on that final contested anchor store location? I see both parcels (big mall and that one anchor store) are shown separately on Portland maps for their boundaries, but this same review shows as applicable to both parcels.

If so, that's great news.

[uncommon.name]

Originally Posted by downtownpdx

In this particular part of town I think this is a good idea, not just to entertain convention goers but into full a gap since there is a pretty limited selection of places to eat/drink in walking distance that aren’t Red Robin, Denny’s etc. It’ll add to the street life in the area and bring in local businesses. Not saying Portland doesn’t need more attractions, but this is needed in the area regardless of the convention center.

I agree. I've attended several events at the Convention Center and the food options within walking distance aren't wonderful. This seems like a good idea for convention foot traffic.

[maccoinnich]

Lloyd Center Master Plan is on the Design Commission agenda for 2/5.

[Mr. Walch]

I just saw an instagram post advocating that people oppose the new development and try to save Lloyd Center. I haven't lived in Portland for over a decade, and I never spent much time in Lloyd, but what is worth saving? I heard Lloyd has been turned into a bit of an indie/hipster mall, so maybe that? But the redevelopment is such an opportunity to heal a hole in the city and add thousands of homes.

[PhillyPDX]

Originally Posted by Mr. Walch

I just saw an instagram post advocating that people oppose the new development and try to save Lloyd Center. I haven't lived in Portland for over a decade, and I never spent much time in Lloyd, but what is worth saving? I heard Lloyd has been turned into a bit of an indie/hipster mall, so maybe that? But the redevelopment is such an opportunity to heal a hole in the city and add thousands of homes.

I was there on Friday night. There are a few very-niche indie stores, and very few shoppers overall. Most people are there for the skating. Even Barnes and Noble has become an outlet type store (magazines are now misprints and/or dated). I don’t get some of the online hype that it has become some bustling hip indie mall. My suspicion is it’s the indie store owners trying to salvage what is essentially free rent. But obviously free rent isn’t a good business model for the landlord.

[M Kass]

Originally Posted by PhillyPDX

I was there on Friday night. There are a few very-niche indie stores, and very few shoppers overall. Most people are there for the skating. Even Barnes and Noble has become an outlet type store (magazines are now misprints and/or dated). I don’t get some of the online hype that it has become some bustling hip indie mall. My suspicion is it’s the indie store owners trying to salvage what is essentially free rent. But obviously free rent isn’t a good business model for the landlord.

We need to get past the idea that 'free rent' is a wholly bad thing. Capitalism in its current form is not working and we definitely need to reset our expectations and instead of blaming people taking advantage of these loopholes, championing them. These are the innovators and positive 'carcass pickers' that see opportunity in the decay and may even stumble on innovation. The somewhat dismissive tone set in your post is sad to me. I never really get replies on this forum, but please let's start thinking on an existential level for the common man, and try to divest of thinking about what's best for landlords-- they had their shot and it didn't work, based on very complex issues and headwinds from theft to pandemic to online consumption overtaking physical retail experiences and downright greed. They're portfolio people, not visionaries, by and large- the visionaries are the ones who can see the sprout in the rubble. Sorry if this is out of pocket.

[truebaru]

Originally Posted by M Kass

We need to get past the idea that 'free rent' is a wholly bad thing. Capitalism in its current form is not working and we definitely need to reset our expectations and instead of blaming people taking advantage of these loopholes, championing them. These are the innovators and positive 'carcass pickers' that see opportunity in the decay and may even stumble on innovation. The somewhat dismissive tone set in your post is sad to me. I never really get replies on this forum, but please let's start thinking on an existential level for the common man, and try to divest of thinking about what's best for landlords-- they had their shot and it didn't work, based on very complex issues and headwinds from theft to pandemic to online consumption overtaking physical retail experiences and downright greed. They're portfolio people, not visionaries, by and large- the visionaries are the ones who can see the sprout in the rubble. Sorry if this is out of pocket.

I agree with you that Lloyd center's free rent happenings are pretty cool, but isn't it also true that housing is far too expensive? Personally I see this as a function of priorities. Shelter is higher on Maslow's hierarchy of needs than fun, free human innovation (which I would argue is closer to self-actualization, at the top of the pyramid).

Let's build as much housing as possible, as fast as possible. Increased real estate for shops will hopefully lower rents for creatives and intellectuals as well.

[maccoinnich]

On Prosper Portland's Board of Commissioners agenda for Wednesday:

Action Items: Adopting a Minor Amendment to the Lloyd-Holladay Urban Renewal Plan, Adopting a Revised Property Plan for 910 NE MLK Jr. Blvd., and Approving the Terms of an Intergovernmental Agreement with Metro to Fund Improvements at 910 NE MLK Jr. Blvd.
Amy Nagy, Development Manager
Will Thier, Real Estate Manager

Report 26-01
Resolution 7632
Resolution 7633
Resolution 7634

[tworivers]

Originally Posted by PhillyPDX

I was there on Friday night. There are a few very-niche indie stores, and very few shoppers overall. Most people are there for the skating. Even Barnes and Noble has become an outlet type store (magazines are now misprints and/or dated). I don’t get some of the online hype that it has become some bustling hip indie mall. My suspicion is it’s the indie store owners trying to salvage what is essentially free rent. But obviously free rent isn’t a good business model for the landlord.

You might want to try doing the bare minimum of research before posting misinformation. The mall is not offering "essentially free rent" to its current tenants. I know a handful of the folks who have shops, galleries, etc, in there and as far as I know most of them are doing decent business. I personally co-organized a sold-out concert there a few months ago. Just because you went there once on a Friday and thought that was enough to cement an opinion that you probably toted in there with you in the first place does not necessarily make it so. Indeed, a former tenant that I am close with left not because business was bad but because the mall was trying to jack his rent up and (obviously) could only offer a very short term lease.

I support tearing the mall down btw.

Capitalism in its current form is not working

M Kass, have you checked out the new-ish book "Capitalism: A Global History" by Sven Beckert? I'm about halfway through and I highly recommend it.