May 09, 2003
Portland Business Alliance to Lose Council Garage Vote
According to today's Portland Tribune, the Portland Business Alliance has failed to secure enough votes on the City Council to maintain control over SmartPark:
A majority of Portland city commissioners say they plan to vote to switch management of the city-operated SmartPark parking garages from the Portland Business Alliance to Star Park LLC.
Commissioners Jim Francesconi, Randy Leonard and Dan Saltzman, each of whom was considered a likely swing vote on the matter, said Thursday they would approve a Bureau of General Services recommendation to switch garage managers.
The expected council vote, scheduled for May 21, would be a major setback for the Portland Business Alliance, which has run the SmartPark operations since 1982 and culls about 30 percent of its yearly revenues from the contract.
According to the Tribune, Commissioner Sten has also said he would support the Bureau of General Services recommendation, while Mayor Katz has not commented. In addition, the Alliance will reportedly forego today's deadline to formally protest the Bureau's decision.