Lents Town Center

• Exhibit A - PDC Commission Documents:
  • Attachment A: Resolution No. 6583 (19 K PDF)
  • Attachment B: Lents Map (553 K PDF)
  • Attachment C: Lents URAC Report (5 MB PDF)
  • Attachment D: Lents Report (12 MB PDF)
  • Attachment E: Letters of Support (12 MB PDF)
• Exhibit B: Planning Commission Report Summary (2 MB PDF)
• Exhibit C: Lents Plan (2 MB PDF)
• Ordinance (16 K PDF)

 

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In September 1998, the City Council established a Lents Town Center Urban Renewal Area in order to accomplish community goals. These include generation of new family wage jobs, assistance to new and existing business, improvements to local infrastructure such as streets and parks, new housing construction and improvements to existing housing.

A community-led planning process has produced several significant proposed changes to the Lents Town Center URA. Accordingly, the Council will consider a separate ordinance to approve an amendment to the Lents Town Center Urban Renewal Plan. The amendment will expand the district’s boundaries to include several underdeveloped commercial areas adjacent to the existing district – most notably, the commercial corridor along S.E. Foster Road. In addition, in order to complete work in the Lents Town Center and support the small businesses in the areas proposed for annexation, the amendment will increase the maximum indebtedness that may be incurred under the plan to a new total of $245 million. The Lents Town Center ordinance constitutes a substantial amendment to that district’s urban renewal plan.

The specific expansion areas are:

1. SE Foster Road Expansion Area
   SE Foster Road from SE 50th Avenue to SE 79th Avenue serves as a gateway to the Lents Town Center Area. It presently has a number of small businesses which could benefit from business loan assistance. There are also parcels which are undeveloped or underdeveloped. In addition to the commercial properties, there are three multi-family residential zoned properties which are in need of rehabilitation. Upgrading of this entrance to the Area will provide a more positive and attractive entrance to the Lents Town Center as a whole and the expected spin off benefit is private investment in the Town Center Area.
2. Marysville School Expansion Area
   The City has begun to develop partnerships with local schools to increase enrollment and stability in the neighborhood. Inclusion of these schools into the Area will provide the opportunity for these sites to qualify for funding for future facility improvements identified as part of this initiative. Marysville School, located at 7733 SE Raymond, is part of Portland Public Schools and serves the Lents neighborhood. Also included in this area are a number of residential parcels which may qualify for assistance through the neighborhood based housing programs.
3. SE Powell Boulevard Expansion Area
   The sites west of SE 102nd Avenue on SE Powell Boulevard are potential sites for job creation. One is zoned General Industrial 2, while the other is zoned General Employment 2. Board Resolution 6583 - First Amendment to Lents Town Center URA Plan May 14, 2008 Exhibit C Page 30 of 102 24
4. SE 122nd Avenue and Powell Boulevard Expansion Area
   The parcels on SE 122nd Avenue are commercial and/or residential opportunity node at SE Powell Boulevard. This node will provide opportunity for the creation of new service related development for adjacent residential areas.
5. SE 122nd Avenue and Holgate Expansion Area
   The parcels on SE 122nd at Holgate are a residential and commercial opportunity node. The commercial node will provide the opportunity for the creation of new service related development for adjacent residential areas. The residential area will provide the opportunity to upgrade existing housing stock.
6. Alice Ott Middle School Expansion Area
   The City has begun to develop partnerships with local schools to increase enrollment and stability in the neighborhood. Inclusion of these schools into the URA will provide the opportunity for these sites to qualify for funding for future facility improvements identified as part of this initiative. This area also includes a residential development opportunity site. Alice Ott Middle School, located in this expansion area at 12500 SE Ramona Street, is part of the David Douglas School District.
7. SE 122nd Avenue and Foster Road Expansion Area
   The parcels on SE 122nd Avenue at Foster Road are a commercial and/or residential opportunity node. This node will provide an opportunity for the creation of new service related development for adjacent residential areas.
8. Leach Botanical Garden Expansion Area
   The Leach Botanical Garden (Garden) is a recreational, ecological, and tourism asset to the Lents Town Center Area. It brings in visitors from around the state while serving as a local park for the Lents residents. The Garden is in need of upgraded facilities to maintain its stature as a destination park. Inclusion of this site in the Area will provide the opportunity for the Garden to qualify for funding for future facility improvements and implement a new master plan.
9. Knapp Street Triangle Expansion Area
   This area, located south of SE Knapp Street from SE 92nd Avenue to SE 102nd Avenue, is a prime location for future residential development. The development of additional housing will further stabilize the neighborhood and provide support to existing businesses. Its proximity to the Freeway Lands site provides an additional advantage in relation to future development of that site.

Letters of Support (.pdf)