Development Opportunity Services (DOS) Program

The Portland Development Commission (PDC) has designed the Development Opportunity Services (DOS) Program for property owners in targeted neighborhoods in the city of Portland. The purpose of the DOS Program is to assist property owners (and, in some cases, tenants) with seed money and in evaluating development project feasibility by providing real estate development expertise and technical assistance. It also supports PDC goals of revitalization by bringing new development and jobs to Portland.

Funding is available on a first-come-first-serve basis for specific pre-development activities prior to construction, including architectural planning studies, building inspection, engineering reports, market assessments, environmental studies and real estate financial analysis. DOS funding is only available for professional services related to planning for development and does not cover the preparation of construction drawings, permitting or any of the actual construction costs. PDC will grant one DOS project per property. All materials produced through a DOS project are available for public review and use.

DOS Project Managers (PDC staff) assist property owners in formulating development programs, coordinating consultants' work and evaluating development feasibility.

A DOS Project Manager meets with property owners and consultants to discuss the project.

Program Guidelines and Requirements

Eligible Projects: Development projects may include rehabilitation or redevelopment of existing structures or new development on vacant land. Properties must be zoned for mixed-use or high-density housing development (single-family zoned land is not eligible). DOS applicants must have site control—ownership or an option on the property—to be eligible. Applicants will be required to incorporate community strategies and visions in their development plans. Projects must have a reasonable chance of being carried out (built) within 3-5 years to be eligible for funding. Types of projects can include commercial office/retail, mixed-use housing/commercial, or industrial—depending on the zoning and use requirements of the subject property. PDC's Development Director has final authority for projects and services eligibility.

Eligible Areas: The Development Opportunity Services (DOS) Program is applicable in some PDC urban renewal areas and target areas specified by the Bureau of Housing and Community Development. These are areas where strategies and plans are in place that meet PDC and citywide revitalization goals.

Please call 503-823-3200 if you have any questions about project eligibility.

Map your property!  You can easily see if your property qualifies for the Development Opportunity Services (DOS) Program benefits by searching for a specific address using our GIS Mapping tool, and then clicking on the Development link in the top navigation of the resulting query window.

Areas with DOS Funds Available, FY 2007-2008

• Gateway
• Interstate
• Lents
• Old Town/Chinatown
• Oregon Convention Center
• River District
• South Park Blocks

Letter of Agreement: The contract between PDC and the property owner will be in the form of a letter agreement which specifies the location of the property, the development concept, and the scope and cost of pre-development services. The agreement will also identify the terms of the contract, funding level and expiration date.

A sample of a typical DOS work product.

Disbursement of Funds: The property owner is responsible for paying the consultants' invoices in full. The property owner then submits a copy of the invoice(s) along with a proof of payment to PDC for reimbursement. PDC will reimburse up to 80 percent of the cost of the pre-development services (architect's fees, engineering fees, market assessments, etc.) up to a total of $12,000. The property owner is responsible for 20 percent of the pre-development service costs and/or any amount in excess of PDC's contribution. Permits and fees paid to government agencies are not reimbursable.

Project Management: PDC staff work with the property owner to identify and manage pre-development consultants and evaluate development options. The property owner is the main contact with the hired consultants, however the DOS Project Manager is available for assistance on the project. All work products generated from the DOS project (including maps, financial information, electronic files) are kept on file at PDC and are open for public review.