Portland council gives tentative approval to demolish bungalow for You Can Do expansion

Portland City Council on an evidentiary land-use hearing voted tentatively 10-0 to grant a Type 4 demolition review for 118 Southwest Porter Street, clearing the way for the nonprofit You Can Do to demolish a contributing bungalow and expand a year‑round resource center for families affected by childhood cancer.

The council’s tentative approval followed a staff recommendation from Tanya Palia of Portland Permitting and Development (PPandD) that the proposal meets the city’s type 4 demolition criteria on an “on‑balance” basis. Palia summarized the department’s position: "I'm really pleased to be able to present this recommendation of approval to you." The Historic Landmarks Commission also wrote a supporting letter and its chair, Andrew Smith, testified that the commission unanimously recommended approval.

The decision matters to advocates and patients because the proposed addition would locate You Can Do’s ‘‘Loft’’ adjacent to Portland’s pediatric cancer care providers. Jason Hickox, chief executive officer of You Can Do, testified the site is six minutes from Doernbecher Children’s Hospital and 11 minutes from Randall Children’s Hospital and that the expansion would enable a "first‑of‑its‑kind" set of year‑round wraparound services for families impacted by…