Portland Public Schools’ plans to acquire a glossy, buzzy office space on North Williams Avenue to anchor its long-overdue Center for Black Student Excellence appear to have hit a speedbump.

District leaders had hoped that the 72-000 square foot property would be turnkey and ready for near-immediate use once a deal closed. Instead, a new due diligence investigation says the buildings won’t be fully ready for student use for up to three years, thanks to permitting and construction needs, including seismic upgrades.

In September, school board members authorized spending $16 million to purchase the distinctive, mass timber-wrapped One North development, two buildings at 25 N. Fremont St and 3505 N. Williams Ave.

The school board plans a final vote as soon as next month, after school bo

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