The drama of a four-hour public hearing about the future of the Right 2 Dream Too homeless camp continued in epic fashion Thursday - with a cliffhanger.
Prompted by undisclosed cold feet from Commissioner Steve Novick, the Portland City Council delayed its vote to authorize moving the camp from its current location in Old Town Chinatown to city-owned property in the Central Eastside.
Novick had been expected to support the controversial relocation along with Mayor Charlie Hales and Commissioner Amanda Fritz. But when Hales urged a vote after receiving testimony from about four dozen people, Novick said he would instead feel "more comfortable if we waited."
And with that, the vote was called off and rescheduled for next Wednesday at 2 p.m.
"Whatever it takes to make the decision is fine with me," Hales said after the meeting, reiterating that he believes he still has three votes to approve the homeless camp's move.
Asked why he wanted to wait, Novick was crisp: "I'm not going to tell you."
The delay marks the latest twist for the 4-year-old homeless camp, which has been lauded by politicians but has been criticized by business groups who don't want it near them. In 2013, Hales and Fritz thought they had a deal lined up to move the camp to the Pearl District - only to see it blow up after a long public hearing similar to Thursday's.
Once again, attorneys argued that the city is manipulating its zoning code to allow the camp. Once again, business leaders said the camp's proximity would cause irreparable harm to industry. Once again, campers accused their opponents of NIMBYism against the homeless.
And once again, the future is now murky.
Opponents of the move quietly huddled after the meeting, telling one another that the delay could only be seen as a positive. Novick, meanwhile, was heckled by supporters who wanted the vote to go forward after years of uncertainty.
If ultimately approved, Right 2 Dream Too would move by October to a nearly half-acre site at Southeast Third Avenue and Harrison Street. Campers would sleep in tents but the city would pay for shower, toilets and laundry facilities. Most notably, the camp would be authorized to use the land for 10 years.
Since its inception in fall 2011, Right 2 Dream Too has housed nearly 300 people, said member Trish Reed.
"We cater to everyone who comes through our gates," she said. "We do our best to provide safety and warmth and love to our family because these people are our family."
Opponents said they don't doubt the camp's good work. But they said it doesn't belong in an industrial sanctuary.
"I would suggest Council spend the night there," said Andy James, a real estate executive. "This is not a restful and peaceful place."
It's not clear what may happen between now and next week's meeting. Novick - who is up for re-election in May - said he wanted to speak with city staff but declined to identify them or say what he wanted to discuss.
Before Novick's hesitation, Hales had been explicit. Thursday was the time to act.
"Should we move it here?" he said. "Yes or no?"
And like any good cliffhanger, that answer will come. Eventually.
-- Brad Schmidt
503-294-7628
@cityhallwatch