The Portland Development Commission is a funny outfit, most days. One way the PDC stimulates real estate development -- about the only way that's working lately -- is to build up its own huge bureaucracy and then move it into a new headquarters, built by, or leased from, one of its pet developer tycoons. They're at it again this year, with two different doomed office towers angling for the handout.

No word on what will happen to the old headquarters, which itself was the result of a failed PDC "creative class" boondoggle from many years ago. When the foolhardy new "sustainability center" down by Portland State Realty Trust (and University) eventually flops, I suspect the PDC will have to think about moving into that one. But in the meantime, it's don't spare the linchpins, full catalysts ahead, with another office tower that this town needs like a hole in the head.

At 185 employees, the PDC is far too big a bureaucracy for what it accomplishes. Before moving it, the city should cut it by between a quarter and a half.