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Advocates ask PP&R: Where’s the Columbia Pool report?
New info suggests PP&R pool restoration estimate is inflated By Mark Kirchmeier The Portland Bureau of Parks & Recreation’s top management has supported demolishing Columbia Park Pool, citing a bureau estimate that it would cost $21.5 million to convert it into a seasonal pool. But a new independent study appears to show that restoration could…
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Wilson: Columbia Pool raze may be necessary
By Mark Kirchmeier Mayor Keith Wilson delivered discouraging news to Columbia Park Pool advocates in a March 16 private meeting. Wilson had dramatically halted the scheduled demolition of the pool in late March 2025, three days before the razing was to begin. Now one year later, he asked to meet with Friends of Columbia Park…
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Assessment study looms for Columbia Park Pool
The City of Portland Parks & Recreation Bureau is so close to authorizing an independent study to determine the costs to restore Columbia Pool, that City Council President Elana Pirtle-Guney’s office is already making plans to discuss potential study results with the Friends of Columbia Park in early February. One City Hall observer said that…
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Opinion: Three pools—two different outcomes
By Mary Ann Aschenbrenner, Friends of Pier Park (Edited for space by Mark Kirchmeier) Portland talks a lot about equity and inclusion, but those values are clearly not extended to poorer communities in North Portland. Just examine what has happened to the Columbia Park, Pier Park and Grant Park swimming pools, representing three different Portland neighborhoods, to see…
