In Portland, the dream of the ‘90s was alive well into the 2000s. Some might even say it still exists, survived by part-time coffee shop workers, grunge fashion, young retirees, and bird art. Join us as we bop down memory lane like we’re filming a music video with Fred Armisen.
Population: 486,083
Mayors: Bud Clark (1985-1993), Vera Katz (1993-2005)
1990: The first phase of downtown Portland’s Pioneer Place shopping mall opens.
1991: Portland establishes a sister city relationship with Mutare, Zimbabwe. President George H.W. Bush’s administration dubs Portland “Little Beirut.”
1992: The “Dream Team” — featuring basketball legends Michael Jordan, Clyde Drexler, Scottie Pippen, and Magic Johnson — dominates the Tournament of the Americas, the qualifying tournament for the Barcelona Summer Olympics, at Memorial Coliseum. The first Portland Farmers Market is held near the Broadway Bridge.
1993: An estimated 10,000 people participate in or watch the Portland Pride Parade as it travels two miles through downtown.
Portland-born figure skater Tonya Harding practices for the 1994 Winter Olympics at Clackamas Town Center.
Photo by Andrew Parodi
1994: Portland-based figure skater Tonya Harding is stripped of her national title amid an international scandal involving rival Nancy Kerrigan.
1995: The Moda Center, formerly known as the Rose Garden, opens with a David Bowie and Nine Inch Nails concert.
1996: The Willamette River floods in early February and volunteers erect “Vera’s Wall” to protect downtown Portland.
1997: Prince brings his “Jam of the Year” tour to the Moda Center. The city of Portland approves a deal with Hoyt Street Properties to develop 34 acres in the Pearl District.
1998: Rodgers, a local chain of five-and-dime stores founded in 1938, closes its last three locations.
1999: Stumptown Coffee Roasters’ flagship cafe opens on Southeast Division Street.
