Your Daily Guide

A Data Center in Downtown Portland?!

The Silicon Valley tech company that acquired downtown's Union Bank office building earlier this year plans to convert five floors of it into data center space. Menlo Digital’s early assistance application with the city included a list of the many upgrades, storage requirements, and machinery that would be needed, from emergency power systems and utility services to rooftop equipment. [Oregonian 🔒]

• Survey says: According to a recent poll, two-thirds of Oregon voters want a temporary moratorium on new data center construction for artificial intelligence, and three-quarters of them oppose tax breaks for the industry. [Oregonian 🔒]
• More calls for a data center moratorium: Last week, both Gov. Tina Kotek and her Republican opponent in the gubernatorial race, Sen. Christine Drazan, announced their support for a statewide data center moratorium. Other legislators and candidates drafted a three-year moratorium bill in August. [Oregonian 🔒, Oregon Capital Chronicle]
• Not everyone is against data centers: Concerned about dwindling job prospects, local electricians have been leaving for Idaho in droves. Their largest local union, IBEW 48, is a supporter of political candidates who favor industrial growth. [City Cast Portland 🎧, Willamette Week]

Emergency Wildfire Funding Approved

After a devastating — and expensive — wildfire season, Oregon lawmakers have approved more than $120 million in emergency funding to cover some of the costs. Oregon is nearing the end of the state's largest wildfire season on record, which burned more than 2.5 million acres across the state and racked up an estimated $350 million in total emergency fire costs. State Rep. Dave Gomberg said that additional funding will be needed as Oregon continues dealing with the effects of the season. [KGW]

Moda Center Talks No Longer Stalled?

Portland City Administrator Raymond Lee met with Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon in Texas last week, marking the first known in-person meeting between Dundon and a city official in months. The outcome of the meeting is unknown, though both parties have their work cut out for them over the next few months, with a looming December deadline to secure the final lease agreement necessary to unlock state funding for renovations to the Moda Center. [Oregonian 🔒]

Lawsuit Over RingSide Steakhouse Fire

The insurance company for RingSide Steakhouse has filed a $3.5 million lawsuit against several businesses that it blames for the gas leak that caused a devastating fire at the historic restaurant last spring. Among the defendants are the company that installed the gas range and line, a janitorial service, and businesses that inspected and maintained the kitchen's systems. [Oregonian 🔒]