New hotel planned for Portland, Ore.

A new 15-story hotel is in the planning stages for Portland, Ore. SERA Architects and construction and real estate developer Mortenson recently went before the design commission of Portland with plans for the property, which will be located at Southwest 11th Avenue and Southwest Alder Street.

The parcel of land set aside for the hotel is currently occupied by two buildings owned by United Way of Columbia-Willamette, but the nonprofit has been trying to sell the land since 2015. Early last year, United Way began marketing the properties, including a 10,000-square-foot parking lot at Southwest 13th Avenue in the deal. This lot sold for a little over $4 million roughly one year ago, but neither of the two buildings were part of that deal.

Keith Thomajan, president and CEO of Portland's local United Way, said in a statement that a hotel is confirmed to be part of the develpment plan for the northern portion of the site. United Way is still in the process of selling the northern building, with a deal expected to close in early 2017. Due to existing confidentiality agreements, further information on the deal is not available but it is expected to be made public in the near future.

In addition, United Way will retain ownership of the south quarter-block of the property, which also contains its current headquarters.