PORTLAND -- For the first time ever, a Target store is moving into downtown Portland. It will feature the first of Target's "newer-smaller" stores.
On Thursday, only KGW Newschannel 8 was given a sneak-peak inside with construction underway.
Construction began at the Galleria near 10th and Morrison Street last week. The marble floors will be kept intact and construction crews were also collecting wood and metal which will be recycled.
"It's really exciting," said worker Jeremy Poffenbarge.
The Bill Naito Company, which owns the building, confirmed that Target will take over the second and third floors. But otherwise, everyone involved in the project was remaining tight-lipped until a scheduled news conference, Thursday February 16th.
It's a deal the mayor and other city leaders have been working on for years.
"I think it's awesome. I think it's great. There's going to be more shopping in this area, and [more availability] of smaller items," said Poffenbarger.
Poffenbarger, who works on the fifth floor said he's happy the building will no longer sit vacant on the bottom floors.
"A lot of the buildings have gone empty which is really unfortunate and this should revamp and revive the industry around here," he said.
Area business owners were happy, too.
Kylynn Maldonado's family owns Mayas Tacqueria, across the street, at 10th and Morrison.
"That'll be nice, that'll be really nice. I'll work and then I can just go over there or people can come over here and eat, so it'll probably bring a lot of business, too," said Maldonado.
Target will be situated next to Brooks Brothers. Manager William Palmer said he couldn't be more excited.
"I think you'll find a lot of upper end customers shopping at Target. They want to service the people downtown, the people in the Pearl District and the West Hills and this is really a good location for that and it brings them right to our store which is exciting," said Palmer.
And, Portland's downtown will be one of the first in the country to get a new type of Target called "City Target." Preliminary drawings give a closer look. There's no Target name, just the bullseye on the sign.
"I think it's great,I think it's good to have a tenant in here to attract more people to the area," said Steven Cade.
Store officials have not yet said exactly what date they plan to open.
