The New Downtown Entertainment District, Are Vacancy Taxes a Business Killer? And Is In-N-Out Better Than Burgerville?
We’re talking about the push to develop a new entertainment district in downtown Portland, the uproar from the business community as the idea of a vacancy tax is explored in city council, and will there soon be more In-N-Outs than Burgervilles?Joining City Cast Portland Host Claudia Meza are Chris Pink, owner of the Paris Theater, and our very own senior producer, Giulia Fiaoni.
Discussed in today's episode:
- Would a Vacancy Tax Spur Owners of Empty Towers to Seek Out Commercial Tenants? [Willamette Week]
- In-N-Out to open Vancouver location Thursday [KGW]
It’s our spring membership drive! Get more from City Cast Portland when you become a City Cast Portland Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/portland.
Learn more about the sponsors of this April 29th episode:
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay connected to City Cast Portland and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
PPS Could Close Up to 20 Schools, Safer Portland Hires a Trump Lawyer, and Home Forward's Ex-CEO Scandal Deepens
We’re talking about why the state is leading an ethics investigation into the travel spending of Home Forward's previous leader. Plus, th...

Why a Third of Portland's Shelter Beds Are Vanishing. Plus, Oregon's Shadiest Sheriff, and a Burlesque Tribute to Dolly Parton
We’re talking about why Portland area leaders are undoing a homeless shelter system they just developed — as well as the surprising and h...

A Secretive Push To Privatize Oregon Liquor, City Council Candidate’s Embarrassing Website Mix-up, and Portland’s Pettiest Gripes
Today on City Cast Portland, we're talking about why there’s a secretive effort to privatize Oregon liquor sales and what it would mean f...

Are Home Kitchens the New Food Carts? Plus, Portland Fire’s New Mascot and the Rise of Portland’s Tabletop Gaming
We're talking about Portland metro’s growing home-based food scene, from donuts to birria to supper clubs — as well as the rise of Portla...

Mayor Wilson Snubs Progressive Council, Elephants Deli Won't Return to Goose Hollow, and Portland Bridges for Cats
We're talking about two Portlanders going all out for their cats, Mayor Keith Wilson picking favorites in the upcoming City Council elect...

‘Your City Could Be Better’: How Portland Made Its River Cool
Have you ever swam in the Willamette? Kayaked? Tiki toured? There are tons of opportunities to get in the river, yet lots of locals still...

Why a Portland Cop is Suing a 76-Year-Old Woman. Plus, the Portlanders Using the Most Water and Another Wild City Audit
We’re talking about the police officer suing an elderly woman for falling off her steps, the Portlanders being accused of using the most...

Wildfire-Safe Camping Spots, Portland's Shrinking Population, and Mailbag
We're talking about why our city is getting older, not figuratively but quite literally. We also have updates on the Grasshopper Wildfire...

Why Portland's Chain Restaurants Are Cooler Than Most Cities
Today on City Cast Portland we're rating local chains: which are our favorites, our guilty pleasures, and even the specific Portland loca...

The State HR Director Who 'Rolled the Dice,' Saving the Sea Star, and 6 Ways to Finish Summer Strong
Today we're talking about what happened when the state's human resources director violated their own policies, and how a Northwest tribe...

