News

NE Knott Street Speed Cushion Installation Date Set

Knott Street neighbors have received notifications that the speed cushion installation process for NE Knott between NE 21st and NE 34th Avenues has been scheduled for 9/24-9/25 (weather permitting). For more background, please read the update in the Fall 2026 Newsletter (in the Newsletters section of this website).

Inner Eastside for All Zoning Update

On July 30th, the City of Portland released its Inner Eastside for All zoning report.  One difference from the with the original Inner Eastside for All proposal is a requirement to extend the timeline necessary for the proposal to become law from summer 2027 to winter 2028. For more details, please read the complete update in the Fall 2026 Newsletter (see the Newsletters section of this website), or attending the upcoming October 2nd and/or October 7th events – see Events section.

Although the GPNA board has not taken a position on the rezoning plan, more information is available at https://savenepdx.com/.

CEI Hub Update

In the Winter 2025 newsletter (see Newsletters section of this website), we discussed the risks associated with the Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub. The CEI Hub is a 6.5-mile stretch of industrial land in NW Portland that serves as a central location for storing and distributing 90% of Oregon’s liquid fuel supply and 100% of Portland International Airport’s jet fuel. Eleven companies have fuel terminals there that are vulnerable to threats such as wildfires, landslides, and earthquakes.

A representative from the volunteer CEI Hub Task Force attended the September 2025 GPNA Board meeting and shared the environmental and health dangers associated with the CEI Hub. The GPNA Board voted to sign on to a letter asking Mayor Wilson, Portland City Council members, and (then) City Administrator Jordan to alert residents about the dangers of the CEI Hub, monitor and mitigate cumulative pollution associated with operations at the CEI Hub, coordinate a new plan for fuel storage, and require companies to take full financial responsibility for disaster prevention, emergency services, clean up, and restoration.

In the ensuing months, the City of Portland’s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) sought feedback on four policy and zoning code alternatives for the CEI Hub, with each option building upon the last and increasing limitations and restrictions:

A) No fossil fuel expansion but allow expansion of renewable and jet fuel storage.
B) No fossil fuel expansion but place a 5% cap on expansion for renewable and jet fuel storage.
C) Prohibit all expansions of fossil, renewable, and jet fuel.
D) Prohibit all expansion and reduce existing storage capacity by 17% by 2035.

After receiving hundreds of public comments and hosting several work sessions, the Planning Commission recommended a prohibition on fossil and renewable fuel storage expansion at the CEI Hub, but allowing a limited 5% expansion for aviation fuel. Despite reluctance to support any fuel expansion, Planning Commission representatives expect the demand for aviation fuel to grow in the coming years with no other foreseeable fuel alternatives. On August 17, 2026, the Planning Commission released for public comment a Recommended Draft that incorporates its recommendation as well as proposed Bulk Fuel Terminal Capacity Reduction Regulations, which would require a 20 percent reduction in storage tank capacity by 2036. The City Council considered oral and written testimony of both documents during a hearing on Sept. 16th at 2 p.m. The public is also invited to submit testimony at the City Council meeting on Thursday, Sept. 24th at 2 p.m. Registration to provide oral testimony at the hearing is now open.

Environmental activists, tribal representatives, and neighborhood groups are concerned that the proposed rules don’t go far enough or fast enough in reducing existing risks at the CEI Hub.

Only one company (Houston-based Zenith Energy) stores crude oil at the CEI Hub and has been the target of ongoing protests from environmental groups and activists. In October 2025, Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality approved Zenith’s new air quality permit, allowing it to continue operations on the river. Under the new permit, Zenith agreed to fully transition from storing crude oil to storing renewable fuels within two years. Although this step could be seen as a positive move, the fact that renewable fuels are also toxic and flammable still makes those storage tanks vulnerable to wildfires, landslides, and earthquakes.

Complicating matters, Zenith Energy has sold its storage tanks to I Squared Capital, an international private equity firm specializing in infrastructure investments. Although I Squared Capital has stated that they will comply with the requirement to transition from storing crude oil to storing renewable fuels, skeptics are demanding information, transparency, and an investigation of the deal. We are monitoring the situation and invite you to keep apprised of the CEI Hub Policy Project at: https://www.portland.gov/bps/planning/cei-hub/about-cei-hub-policy-project.

Gordon’s Fireplace Building Update

The former Gordon’s Fireplace Building on the SE corner of 33rd Avenue and Broadway was sold at auction last October to Gordons Building LLC, a group of investors in Clackamas. News reports have indicated that Do Good Multnomah, a non-profit, holds a master lease at the property and plans to buy it and convert it into permanent supportive housing for veterans coming out of homelessness.

City of Portland contractors have periodically painted over the graffiti, but taggers continue to spray paint on the exterior of the building.

Grant Park Lighting Project – Completed!

The recently installed new lights in the Grant Bowl were turned on 9/1/26. Here is a link to a news article about the event: https://www.koin.com/news/portland/grant-bowl-flip-the-switch-new-stadium-lights/. Thank you to all who worked towards this outcome and to the many homeowners who generously donated funds to support the addition of lights for our benefit and Grant High School students. Some neighbors have asked about the conditions for approval for the lights, and these are summarized in the following link:  Grant Bowl Lighting Conditions of Approval.

Do you like walking in your neighborhood?

We need volunteers to help deliver the Grant Park Neighborhood Association newsletter to every home.  Average route is 30-40 homes and the newsletter is published quarterly. Volunteer to help distribute newsletters here!