Feb. 14 on The Story: For years, a Portland public market to rival Seattle's Pike Place has been little more than a pipe dream. But within the last few months, the James Beard Public Market has taken a few big steps toward becoming reality. The building downtown has been purchased, organizers have raised about $3 million in public and private funds to back it, and the enthusiasm is certainly there. The plan is to open by the end of the year — but first, the organizers need the Oregon Legislature to pitch in, to the tune of $10 million. Watch more The Story videos: http://bit.ly/watchTheStory Follow The Story on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheStoryKGW Follow The Story on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thestorykgw