The well-laid plans for a new University satellite center in Portland have hit a major roadblock since officials announced finalized plans in May.
The University planned to work with the city government as part of a massive development project for the oldest part of downtown, to tear down an old fire station and build a new one a few blocks to the north. That plan failed when costs began to balloon beyond expectations, leaving University and city officials scrambling for new ideas while frantically reaffirming their commitments.
John Doussard, spokesman for the mayor’s office, said the projected price for the project has exploded to more than $30 million and will continue to rise.
“Nobody knows how high it’s gonna get,” he said.
Vice President for University Advancement Allan Price said the rejection was disappointing.
“We think it is critical that the PDC (Portland Development Commission) and the City of Portland remain committed to developing,” he said. “Firehouse or no firehouse, PDC and the city’s ongoing investment in the area is critical.”
“We’re still gonna do something,” said Peter Englander, development manager for the program.
He said the costs surpassed the benefits that would come from the move, which would have created new space for the area’s Saturday Market bazaar.
The failed move is part of a larger project to spur development in the area, a combined effort of Portland government offices, the University and private development companies to change the face of the Skidmore/Old Town Historic District and the New Chinatown/Japantown Historic District.
“It’s where Portland started,” Englander said.
With the history comes restrictions, Englander said; buildings in this area may not rise above six stories. Combined with the high crime and poverty rates of the area it was a hard sell for real estate buyers during the 1990s, but recent governmental investment has made the area attractive to investment, Englander said.
The area houses many parking lots upon which developers could capitalize and the powerful neighborhood associations back the development wholeheartedly, he said.
“The community is highly supportive of redevelopment in this area,” he said. “It’s a fabulous thing.”
He also said that the new buildings will be built to high environmental standards, each achieving at least a silver certification on a scale of bronze, silver, gold and platinum.
When the issue of gentrification arose, which Englander said “could happen to some extent,” he said the development aims to bring in equal amounts of low, middle and high income people. He said making the neighborhood too expensive is in no one’s interest and that many of the housing buildings to be built will carry low-income designation and will be affordable to students and working people for 60 years to come.
The city or private developers will develop the fire house site no matter what, Englander said, and everyone has too much at stake to led the deal fall apart.
“We’ll redevelop that site period,” he said. “We’re not sure how, but we’ll do that in consultation with the University of Oregon.”
Contact the news reporter at [email protected]
UO’s Portland plans hit snag
Daily Emerald
July 31, 2006
0
More to Discover