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In 2000, a
group of Portland citizens began meeting to discuss the dream
of creating an indoor public market that
would operate year round. The Historic Portland Public Market
Foundation emerged from that group in 2003. Since then, hundreds
of Portland-area residents have stepped forward to show support
for the vision that is the James Beard Public Market.
The James
Beard Public Market is now focusing on a parcel of Multnomah
County-owned property at the west end of the Morrison
Bridge. The
nearly three-block-long parcel is currently a parking lot,
but has great potential due to its riverfront position, central
location
and access to public transportation. Because the Historic Portland
Public Market Foundation is committed to a public-private partnership,
they are seeking financial support from federal and state funding
and private philanthropies.
With consulting
director Ron Paul collaborating with committed volunteers, the
James Beard Public
Market is working to educate
civic leaders about the value and benefits of a public market.
The foundation is also collaborating with world class Portland
developer and property owner Melvin Mark. Known for charitable
contributions and activism, Mark has been instrumental in
driving forward a variety of prominent projects, among them,
Pioneer
Courthouse Square, the restoration of the Multnomah County
Library and the
Portland Art Museum.
Additionally,
the foundation recently acquired exclusive rights from the New
York-based James Beard
Foundation to
name the
market after the late famous chef. Beard was born in Portland
in 1903
and grew up shopping with his mother at farmers’ markets.
The
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and
the U.S. Department of Agriculture have joined together
with the
City of
Portland and the Portland Development Commission to fund
feasibility studies for the market. The Historic Portland
Public Market
Foundation has also raised significant funds through
its board and various
benefit events. It plans to embark on an aggressive capital
campaign as soon as the site is secured.
It's easy
to contribute: either on line at www.portlandpublicmarket.com
or by check to:
The Historic
Portland Public Market Foundation
P.O. Box 511
Portland, Oregon 97207
And don't
forget that your contribution qualifies as a match for the Oregon
Cultural Trust. (See
www.culturaltrust.org for details.)
Click
here to learn more about Boyd's special James Beard coffee.
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Endorsements for the Morrison Bridgehead Site
Click
here to donate by credit card.
Portland
Tribune*:
February, 2010
Compeittion for Morrison Bridgehead Site
Click
for details
Portland
Tribune*:
February, 2010
Public Market Might Light Up Economy
Click
for details
Daily
Journal of Commerce:
September, 2009
Market Waits for Multnomah County
Click
for details
Portland
Tribune*:
July, 2009
New Homes for the Market
Click
for details
Portland
Tribune*:
January, 2009
Market Hungry for Bridge Site
Click
for details
Daily
Journal of Commerce:
January, 2009
Market Targets Multnomah County Property
Click
for details
*Reprinted With Permision:
Reprinted with the permission of the Portland Tribune
Click
for archive
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