This summer, the Portland Rose Festival and the Waterfront Blues Festival drew throngs of Portlanders to the banks of the Willamette River for elote, fireworks and the New Orleans sound of Tank and the Bangas.
The good vibes papered over a bitter dispute between the city’s business lobby and Mayor Keith Wilson over how much the festivals are paying City Hall for the privilege of bringing people back downtown.
Just weeks prior to the flagship festivals, emails newly obtained by WW show, Portland Metro Chamber president and CEO Andrew Hoan wrote to Wilson asking that the city parks bureau waive for at least two years the permitting fees it requires to stage a festival at Tom McCall Waterfront Park…