For over thirty years, the vision for the James Beard Public Market has been a long-held dream for Portland.
Now, after much anticipation, the project is inching closer to reality, but it continues to face hurdles, particularly in securing vital financial backing from the state.
In 2022, the foundation spearheading the project acquired a large downtown space for the market, formerly occupied by a Payless Shoe store.
Jessica Elkan, the executive director of the James Beard Public Market, is optimistic that this venue will transform significantly within the next year.
“We will have around 40 different permanent small businesses within the James Beard Public Market,” Elkan stated.
She elaborated on the concept, explaining that the market will feature a diversity of vendors, ranging from full-scale restaurants to compact 100-square-foot stalls offering ice cream, coffee, fresh produce, assorted fish and meats, and a complete bakery.
“The idea is people can come in, they can buy their groceries, they can buy their dry goods, their pantry items, they can pick up their proteins, a great loaf of bread from our bakery, and they can sit and have a meal,” she added.
The proposed market will incorporate the recently purchased space on Southwest 6th and Alder, alongside the adjacent Selling Building, together forming a sprawling 38,000-square-foot venue.
This will include two main floors, a basement, and a rooftop if all goes according to plan.
However, considerable funding is still necessary to bring this vision to fruition.
Supporters aim to raise $25 million, with funds expected to come from a combination of public and private sources.
Recently, the foundation received an anonymous $500,000 donation, complemented by an additional $500,000 from Regence BlueCross BlueShield along with the Cambia Health Foundation.
Moreover, the Portland City Council approved a $1 million allocation from city funds for this year’s budget, which was adopted just this week.
Elkan views these contributions as an encouraging sign from both private benefactors and local leaders who are eager to see the public market contribute to revitalizing downtown Portland.
She firmly believes it will have a positive transformative effect.
“Public markets have a history all over the world of being catalytic economic development drivers,” Elkan remarked.
She pointed to successful markets in other cities, such as Seattle’s Pike Place Market, which is considered a legacy project that greatly benefits the local economy.
With roughly 20 million visitors annually, the economic impact of Pike Place is estimated to exceed $200 million.
Elkan also drew comparisons to the public market in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which has flourished for nearly two decades and revitalized its local neighborhoods.
Acknowledging the safety issues that have plagued downtown Portland in recent years, Elkan remains hopeful that the market will play a key role in changing perceptions in the area.
“The more people that are coming downtown have things to go to where we can increase foot traffic, the more we will experience a shift in how people feel being downtown,” she said.
Elkan expressed confidence, citing her own experiences of witnessing positive changes in downtown over recent months.
She insists it is crucial to create a vibrant downtown atmosphere that appeals to all individuals.
The push for the public market has also garnered support from state representatives.
Rep. Shannon Isadore, who represents downtown Portland, is sponsoring House Bill 3377, which seeks to allocate $10 million in state lottery bonds to support the construction costs of the market.
Currently, the bill is stalled in the legislature’s Joint Ways and Means committee and has yet to be put to a vote in either chamber, with the session ending soon.
Despite the tight timeline, Elkan remains hopeful for a vote on the bill, even if it means looking ahead to the short legislative session next year.
Isadore emphasized her commitment to securing state support for the public market project, acknowledging the significant progress made thus far.
Elkan has set an ambitious target to open the market by summer 2026, which she describes as “an ambitious and urgent timeline.”
If successful, the market is expected to benefit a range of stakeholders, from local farmers and food producers to residents and tourists alike.
Elkan envisions the market as a central gathering place for the community, offering diverse activities, including cooking classes and public art displays, once it opens.
She emphasized that the market will provide much more than just food and shopping options; it will foster community and connection.
As the James Beard Public Market navigates these challenges, it also faces competition from nearby Vancouver, which is advancing its plans for a market inspired by Pike Place, set to be located in the Terminal 1 development along the reimagined waterfront.
This emerging competitor may challenge downtown Portland’s status as a cultural and commercial center in the region.
With the clock ticking and crucial decisions looming, the hope is that the James Beard Public Market will soon materialize, becoming a vital component of Portland’s revitalization efforts.
image source from：kgw
