Mercy Corps Development Moving Forward

The Portland Development Commission (PDC) and Mercy Corps have been working together since May 2006 on locating and developing a site in Old Town/Chinatown to house the new consolidated Mercy Corps Global Headquarters. On Wednesday, August 8, a significant step in the process was reached when the PDC Board, at their bi-weekly meeting, approved the Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA) between PDC and Mercy Corps. The DDA is a legal agreement that spells out roles and responsibilities for all parties involved in a development project.

“We believe our new headquarters – and the public engagement it will foster – represents Mercy Corps’ commitment to Portland and will further the city’s international reputation,” said Mercy Corps CEO Neal Keny-Guyer. “We are very excited to see this project moving forward. We have enjoyed a very good working relationship with PDC and we look forward to becoming a good neighbor in Old Town/Chinatown.”

The site selected for the Mercy Corps Global Headquarters is the historic Skidmore Fountain Building and adjoining surface parking lots located on the corner of SW Naito Parkway and SW Ankeny Street. The proposed 80,000 square-foot development will essentially double the space in the existing building with an addition to the east. PDC will provide relocation assistance to current building tenants.

“Very few organizations are as internationally well-known and respected as Mercy Corps,” said PDC Executive Director Bruce Warner. “We are thrilled they have chosen the Skidmore Fountain Building for their headquarters. They will bring 200 quality jobs to the heart of Portland. This, along with the University of Oregon’s new Portland Center, will spur additional private investment in the Ankeny/Burnside area.”

In addition to housing Mercy Corps’ headquarters, the building will feature the Mercy Corps Museum Learning Center, Mercy Corps Northwest’s micro-enterprise office and separate ground-floor retail space. Construction is slated to begin March 2008, with a projected June 2009 building opening.

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Portland Development Commission | 222 NW Fifth Ave | Portland, OR 97209-3859
Phone: 503-823-3200 | Fax: 503-823-3368