PSU Urban Renewal Area

[BroadwayVik]

PSU Urban Renewal Area
http://news.opb.org/article/portland-commissioners-consider-psu-urban-renewal-area/
Rob Manning | May 9, 2012 5:25 p.m. | Updated: May 9, 2012 5:26 p.m. | Portland, OR

Portland Commissioners Consider PSU Urban Renewal Area

Portland city commissioners spoke favorably today of a proposed urban renewal area to benefit Portland State University. City leaders heard from supporters and critics.

Multnomah County and Portland Public Schools have been critical of the urban renewal in the past, because the renewal areas can siphon away property tax dollars. But county chair Jeff Cogen spoke in favor of the new urban renewal area around PSU.

“One of the things that this urban renewal area would do is provide 19 million dollars to Multnomah County to help build a new facility for our county department of human services,” says Cogen.

PSU is also committing to a research partnership with the county, worth over seven million dollars. Portland Public Schools also testified in favor. The new area would earmark ten million dollars to help rebuild Lincoln High. Steve Manten argued against that provision.

“What you’re asking all the property owners in the city of Portland do is pay for this urban renewal district. That means people in Centennial district – out in deep Southeast – are going to be paying for Lincoln High School,” says Manten.

A council vote on the area is set for next week.

 

[forestgreen]

This is huge for Portland State!:

Portland creates $169M urban renewal area around PSU

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2012/05/16/portland-169m-urban-renewal-PSU.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Portland city commissioners on Wednesday voted 3-1 to create a $169 million urban renewal area around Portland State University.

The new urban renewal area could revitalize the sleepy south side of downtown. Portland State officials say it's also critical for the university's effort to keep pace with its rapid growth.

"Portlanders will look back on this day as a real watershed moment, a turning point in making a good university great," said Mayor Sam Adams, a longtime supporter of the proposal. "And I would say to NYU, New York University , 'Look out,' cause that's PSU close on your heels in becoming the best urban university in North America."

Adams and commissioners Randy Leonard and Nick Fish voted in favor of the proposal.

"This is a testament to the partnership we have with the city and the county," said Portland State President Wim Wiewel, in a statement. "They recognize that a great city needs a great university and today the Council cast their votes to help make that happen. This is a long-term investment in education and economic development. I look forward to working with city council, PDC, and the county commissioners in continuing to serve the growing needs of our region."

Commissioner Amanda Fritz voted against the measure, saying the area isn't blighted, a legal requirement for urban renewal areas. The League of Women Voters also raised that concern during a public hearing last week. The new district includes significant corporate offices, including the headquarters of The Regence Group , the state’s biggest health insurer.

Fritz said the city of Portland also shouldn't be responsible for funding urban renewal areas that benefit the entire region.

When the city creates an urban renewal area, it essentially draws an imaginary line around an area that it wants to improve. When property taxes in the area rise, the new property tax revenue is redirected to capital projects in the district.

Some argue against urban renewal on the grounds that it takes money away from schools and other essential public services.

Multnomah County, which could get $19 million of the money for a new headquarters for its human services division, supported the proposal. So did Portland Public Schools, which will get some of the money to redevelop Lincoln High School, the only public K-12 school in the district.

The new urban renewal area is expected to triple the tax base in the 144-acre district from $620 million to $1.85 billion. Projects could begin as early as next summer.

 

[martymoose]

You're right.

This is huge.

 

[BroadwayVik]

"Look out, NYU." That is a huge indicator.

I wrote to Sam Adams and asked if he would, as a final act as mayor, force the sale of the Vue apartment building (formerly Ione Plaza) through Eminent Domain.

I hope he does it. Go Urban Vikings! :thumb:

 

[scooter1]

BV - do you stay up all night or do you just get up really, really early? :lol:

 

[martymoose]

"Look out, NYU." That is a huge indicator.

I wrote to Sam Adams and asked if he would, as a final act as mayor, force the sale of the Vue apartment building (formerly Ione Plaza) through Eminent Domain.

I hope he does it. Go Urban Vikings! :thumb:

Eminent Domain of The Vue would really, really set a statement for our University.

 

[BroadwayVik]

BV - do you stay up all night or do you just get up really, really early?

That was definitely an early day. If I get a good idea, I gotta get it in the hopper.

 

[forestgreen]

Big statement, hope it becomes a reality!

Urban renewal will yield a big return on investment: a world-class Portland State

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2012/06/urban_renewal_will_yield_a_big.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[martymoose]

Big statement, hope it becomes a reality!

Urban renewal will yield a big return on investment: a world-class Portland State

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2012/06/urban_renewal_will_yield_a_big.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

He's spot on. The SBA building is very bunker like.

 

[CaseyOrourke]

Big statement, hope it becomes a reality!

Urban renewal will yield a big return on investment: a world-class Portland State

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2012/06/urban_renewal_will_yield_a_big.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

He's spot on. The SBA building is very bunker like.

What the school needs to approach a Portland business mainstay about naming the business school after them. Ma Boyle of Columbia sportswear would be a perfect match since Columbia is world renown as a quality brand and since Gov. Kitzauber wants to increase business, educational and social ties with Asia, Columbia and the Boyle name would hold a lot of sway and entice more than a few international students to attend Portland State.