Metro Council President Tom Hughes will host an 'Ask Me Anything' chat about the proposed Oregon Convention Center hotel project from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, June 19.

The chat will be on the Portland Reddit site, http://www.reddit.com/r/Portland.

Last week, Metro staff presented details of a proposed development agreement with the companies proposing to build the 600-room Hyatt hotel on a site just north of the Oregon Convention Center. The hotel wouldhelp recruit large conventions to Portland by providing a block of as many as 500 rooms for conventions across the street from the center.

Hughes has spent nearly four years leading the effort to bring a hotel to the convention center area."We know there's a lot of curiosity about this project," Hughes said. "As elected officials, it's important to talk to our constituents about the decisions we make. I look forward to a dialogue with those who want to know more about what we hope to accomplish."

Later Thursday, the Metro Council will have a public hearing on the proposed hotel project and its development agreement. The council will vote on whether to enter the agreement on June 26.

Metro serves 1.5 million people in 25 cities and 3 counties, promoting economic development, preserving the environment through parks and sustainable living, and supporting the way of life that makes this place great.