When we blogged last month about the latest gyrations surrounding the fiscally irresponsible Oregon Sustainability Center project, we noted that there were no private tenants lined up for the proposed ultra-green office building. We got one snarky comment pointing out that the project planners at the City of Portland and the development firm known as PSU were "talking to" Skanska, the construction company, about relocating its management to the building. This was mildly amusing to us, in that Skanska is getting the construction contract from the developer, Gerding Edlen, and so of course they'd be willing to say they might take space, just so that the project would actually materialize. If they did move in, there'd be plenty of room in the complex finances of the building to get a chunk of their rent quietly refunded in advance.

Well, now it turns out that it was all a false rumor. Skanska has moved into the KOIN tower, and says it was "never going in" the sustainability center. It's had a lease at KOIN since at least August.

Interestingly, Skanska's name was still being tossed around as a prospective tenant in late September, when promoters were making a pitch to the Oregon legislature for state funding. It's not nice to lie when you're asking for money. (The legislature is expected to get back to that question in February.)

But don't worry. There will be private tenants who will pay premium rents for space that's poorly heated and cooled, with compost toilets, dim lighting, rainwater to drink, and no garbage pickup. Honest. They'll be here any minute.