The maze of construction walls have officially lifted and the next iteration of Portland’s airport is complete. After 11 years of planning and phased construction, the Port of Portland wrapped up Oregon’s largest public infrastructure project to date Monday, June 30—$2.15 billion later.
According to the Port of Portland, the remodel and modernization, which was funded primarily by the airlines that use it and a few federal grants, strengthened the airport’s seismic resistance, cut down its carbon footprint and doubled its potential visitor capacity.
But most attention has gone to the renovation’s cultural ties, and its ambition to be the so-called “the local-est airport yet.” Taglines aside, it is full of local shops and restaurants, from established giants like Columbia Sportswear and Powell’s Books to newer local companies like Blue Star Donuts and Straightaway Cocktails. Last month, Portland distillery Freeland Spirits opened an airport bar, setting up next to Grassa and Sizzle Pie as the last piece of PDX’s North Convention Hall…