Tom Hughes

On Nov. 2, I shared my thoughts with The Oregonian on urban renewal as a tool for infrastructure and livability improvements in our communities. My guest column points out that some of our country's great achievements have come from public investment, and we should continue to invest in our communities so they can all prosper.

Read the guest column "Urban renewal's power: Public investments boost prosperity for all"

I look forward to an ongoing conversation with the region about how to make all of our communities great places.

I'm pleased to announce I have nominated Martha Bennett to be Metro's next chief operating officer. It is my hope that the Metro Council will approve her nomination on Thursday, Sept. 8.

On Friday, Aug. 19, the Oregon Land Conservation and Development Commission approved the urban and rural reserves map for Washington County, which was approved by the Metro Council and the Washington County Board of Commissioners last spring.

This decision, combined with LCDC’s decision last year to approve the urban and rural reserves for Multnomah and Clackamas counties, completes four years of collaborative effort to provide significant protections for farmland and natural areas while supplying enough land for good jobs and vibrant neighborhoods for the future. No other metropolitan area in the United States has ever attempted — let alone achieved — such a thoughtful and far-reaching plan.

An article in the Aug. 5 Portland Business Journal, "Metro boss Hughes reaches out," highlighted the efforts Metro Council President Tom Hughes is making to reach out to the region's business community.

A personal message from Metro Council President Tom Hughes

Recently, a story on this newsfeed recapped a May 17 conversation between the Metro Council and members of the Metro Exposition Recreation Commission regarding ideas to support the long-term financial viability of our Oregon Convention Center. I appreciate the summary of details covered by our staff reporter, Nick Christensen, and want to add my perspective to provide some context and clarity for our newsfeed readers.