City of Portland Awards Smartpark Garage Operating Contract to Roy Jay and Partners

The City of Portland has awarded Central Parking and a joint venture partner headed by Portland entrepreneur, Roy Jay the contract to operate the multi year, multi million dollar Smart Park garages.

Earlier this year, Mayor Sam Adams quashed the original decision to award the contract to Central after complaints. Greg & Mark Goodman of City Center Parking and Barry Schlesinger, Star Park, were among those objecting to the original decision. But neither business – which were runners up in the original plan -- has ended up with the contract. A panel of business and professional evaluators said Central Parking is "head and shoulders" above the other bidders.

City Center failed to submit a bid in time for the October 12th deadline. Goodman said his company decided not to respond to the RFP "for professional reasons".

Star Park, operated the public parking garages since 2003. Rumor has it that Central Parking entered a lucrative joint venture agreement with Roy Jay, who "put a lot of skin in the game" above and beyond the Smart Park contract. Jay said that unlike the other two bidders Central does not operate other downtown parking facilities which directly compete with Smart Park garages.