Stay informed on Hillsdale projects, city planning, and neighborhood issues. See what HNA is tracking, our advocacy efforts, and how you can get involved.
February 6, 2026
Hillsdale Neighborhood Association Comments and Requests re: Ida B. Wells Modernization Plans
The Ida B. Wells modernization design team has met the many challenges of this site with a thoughtfully conceived plan that will bring SW Portland’s high school into the 21st century. HNA is grateful for PPS’s responsiveness to earlier community input on issues such as the Hillsdale Farmers’ Market, retaining parking spaces, and preserving the longstanding pedestrian paths that cross the campus.
At this time, HNA has final comments and requests for PPS and City bureaus. We see these as ways to better integrate the new campus into its surrounding community and to honor the commitment and support of voters for the school modernization bond program.
We hope PPS and the City of Portland will address these items and inform us as far as how and when HNA can continue to influence remaining decisions.
Click here to view the complete document.
Remaining opportunities for public input:
Wednesday, February 18, 7-8pm: Portland Public Schools will be hosting a public meeting to discuss modernizaton plans for Ida B. Wells High School. This meeting will be held over Zoom. This is the final public meeting and is a city requirement before permit application submission.
Meeting Link: https://pps-net.zoom.us/j/86110070144
Meeting ID: 861 1007 0144
Thursday, February 19, 1:30pm: Design Advice Request with the city Design Commission. Meeting held over zoom, registration opens one week before the meeting date. The registration link will be posted here on February 11.
Thursday, March 12: Permit application hearing. No further information available at this time.
February 4, 2026
From the Grapevine, the Farmers’ Market newsletter:
“We’re thrilled to have reached a resolution with PPS that will allow the market to remain on the south end of our current parking lot site through the duration of the project. Construction is expected to begin later this year, and we’ll continue to keep our community informed well in advance of any impact to market operations.”
October 22, 2025
An excerpt from the Grapevine, the Farmers’ Market newsletter:
“A Positive Step Forward for the Market’s Future
We have exciting news to share! Portland Public Schools (PPS) has offered the Rieke Elementary end of our current parking lot as a home for the Hillsdale Farmers’ Market for the duration of the IBW modernization project! 🎉
We just received this news yesterday (10/21), so it’s still very new, and there are many details to be worked out before any agreement is finalized. That said, this is a major, positive step forward, and we are proceeding in gratitude and good faith that we will be able to come to a mutually acceptable solution with PPS to keep the market right here in Hillsdale.
We want to extend our gratitude to our incredible community. PPS received hundreds of emails from market shoppers, neighbors, and supporters expressing how much this market means to Hillsdale. Your voices truly made a difference.
We also want to thank PPS for their hard work behind the scenes to make this option possible, coordinating with city departments and listening to the many community members who spoke up about the importance of keeping the market in our neighborhood.”
September, 2025
The Hillsdale Farmers’ Market has been at the heart of our neighborhood for more than 20 years—bringing fresh, local food, supporting small farmers and food makers, and creating a weekly gathering place that strengthens our community.
Right now, the Market faces a serious challenge due to the proposed closure of the parking lot housing the Market during Wells High School rebuild. This page provides background, updates, and ways you can get involved to help keep the Market thriving in Hillsdale. HNA and the Farmers’ Market believe that the Market can work with PPS to come to an agreement that would allow the Market to remain onsite during construction without interfering with the rebuild plans or the timeline.
The proposed closure of the Wells parking lot where the Market is located would also shut down two SW Trails walking routes.
What you can do right now
- Send emails to these Portland Public Schools officials:
- Dr. Jon Franco, Senior Chief of Operations, jfranco@pps.net
- Dr. Kimberlee Armstrong, PPS Superintendent, karmstrong@pps.net
- Deborah Kafoury, PPS Chief of Staff, dkafoury@pps.net
- PPS Board of Directors, schoolboard@pps.net
Find a sample letter at the Farmers’ Market website here.
2. Let your friends and neighbors know that the Farmers’ Market is under threat and that they need to write emails.
3. Fill out the Farmers’ Market community survey and help us show PPS decision makers how much the market matters to Hillsdale and Southwest Portland.
Hillsdale Farmer’s Market Website
Join the Keep the Market Committee
Read the Hillsdale Farmer’s Market report below to learn more about the importance of mounting a campaign to keep the Market in place:
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