NEW: VQ Could Close To Make Way for New Multnomah County Courthouse

Monday, December 15, 2014

Multnomah County is eyeing a piece of land for its new central courthouse that is currently occupied by the Portland restaurant Veritable Quandary. The owner said the development would kill his business if it goes forward.

The venerable old restaurant, a stalwart pillar of fine dining in Portland, where satirist John Oliver recently dined, has been standing next to grassy lot at 1220 SW 1st Avenue for over forty years.

The vacant lot is the preferred development site for a new multimillion dollar courthouse, according to VQ owner Denny King. He said Monday, that the new development will destroy his business.

“I’m in shock,” said King to GoLocalPDX. “I can’t believe it. We support over 70 families with employment here.”

The roughly 40,000 square foot lot is mostly open land, save for about 2,000 sq feet that is leashed the VQ. King said if that county took that portion of land back it would kill his business. The restaurant is a total of 6,000 sq feet, but King said the restaurant's kitchen and patio are on the leashed land and are essential.

King suspect his lease will simply not be renewed when it comes up in 2017. He said that the county has not made him an offer for his own building, nor has there been any threats of imminent domain. But he said he could not maintain his business without the additional leased space.

“I thought we were a city that supports small businesses,” said King, who believes the restaurant is a Portland landmark. “It [would be] a huge loss to Portland. It’s like building condominiums in the Rose Garden.”

King opened the restaurant in 1971, replacing Gypsy’s. The area was largely derelict waterfront at the time. King said he’s built the VQ up to become one of the most notable restaurants in the city.

When asked if he would agree to simply have his restaurant in the new courthouse building, King responded, “What? Customers in handcuff? Not thanks.”

Dave Austin, Multnomah County Spokesperson said he would address media questions all at once at 3:15 p.m. on Monday.