Interstate Corridor

Goals and objectives

The goals and objectives of the Interstate Corridor Urban Renewal Area Plan reflect considerable community involvement, including Advisory Committee deliberations, and many broad outreach efforts described in Exhibit C of the Plan. They also borrow considerably from the Albina Community Plan, adopted by City Council in 1993.

The goals and objectives are divided into two categories presented below. First is the “General Principles”, broad language that will apply to all decisions affecting the urban renewal area. Following the general principles are more specific principles organized around seven topic areas – housing, economic development/jobs, transportation, revitalization, urban design/urban form/historic preservation, parks and open space, and community facilities/public buildings/infrastructure.

General Principles

Outreach. The planning and implementation of the Interstate Corridor Urban Renewal Area will be founded on a thorough, ongoing, and inclusive community involvement process. This process will build capacity within the community by providing specific, consistent, and culturally appropriate opportunities for all community residents, businesses, and organizations to access and impact urban renewal decision-making, and by providing educational resources necessary to an informed decision. To assure accountability, an Advisory Committee will remain in place for the duration of the URA, with broad and diverse representation from the community. Information will be accessible to the community. Particular emphasis will be given to engaging those sectors of the community not typically involved in this type of project, including the housebound and those who do not speak English. Communications will be in an accessible format where needed.
Benefit the Existing Community. The Interstate Corridor URA will primarily benefit existing residents and businesses within the urban renewal area through the creation of wealth, revitalization of neighborhoods, expansion of housing choices, creation of business and job opportunities, provision of transportation linkages, protection of residents and businesses from the threats posed by gentrification and displacement, and through the creation and enhancement of those features which enhance the quality of life within the urban renewal area. A special emphasis will be placed on providing timely benefits to groups most at risk of displacement (e.g., the elderly, people of color, small businesses, low income people, the disabled).
Coordination. To optimize the effectiveness of urban renewal investments, the Commission will coordinate and integrate urban renewal efforts with the URA Advisory Committee, TRI-MET, Oregon Department of Transportation, and other agencies, as well as the efforts of the private and nonprofit sectors.
Stability/Sustainability. Urban renewal efforts will strive to stabilize and revitalize the Interstate Corridor, building on the diverse cultural and historic and natural resource assets of the area. These efforts will strive for sustainability, as measured in the responsible use, protection and enhancement of limited resources, improvement of environmental quality, and commitment to the improvement in the lives of those who live, work, and play in the area.
Albina Community Plan. The Albina Community Plan and its associated neighborhood plans, adopted by City Council in 1993, will serve as the cornerstone for the Interstate Corridor Urban Renewal Plan. Specifically, the Albina Community Plan will be the framework plan for the urban renewal area, recognizing that the specific urban renewal implementation measures will be sufficiently flexible to evolve in response to new challenges and opportunities as they arise. For the Portsmouth neighborhood, a planning framework (e.g. neighborhood plan) will be created prior to any major capital expenditures occurring within Portsmouth.
Optimize Light Rail Investment. Recognizing this as a unique opportunity to link urban renewal to a major new transit facility, urban renewal will serve to optimize the public investment in the Interstate light rail line by ensuring that the entire area benefits from this investment, in particular through the creation of catalyst projects near light rail stations and other key locations.
Focus Investment Along Interstate. Areas immediately abutting the light rail line will bear the highest degree of impacts and opportunities associated with the light rail line, and therefore these areas will be an important focus of urban renewal investment
Distribution of Resources. It is essential that there be a fair distribution of urban renewal resources throughout the entire urban renewal area, so that all areas benefit from urban renewal.
Return on Investment. Consideration should be given to focusing tax increment dollars, especially in the early years of the urban renewal area, on projects which are likely to attract significant private investment, which in turn will generate more immediate tax increment dollars using a return on investment (ROI) analysis. It is recognized, however, that some programs and projects may not provide a strong ROI but are nonetheless supportive of other goals and objectives of the urban renewal plan and, therefore, merit early funding.
Strategic Use of Resources. Tax increment dollars should be used strategically; other sources (private investment, other agency funds, etc.) should be utilized when possible. To achieve the efficient use of tax increment funds, they should serve to leverage other investments whenever possible.
Condemnation. There will be no condemnation as part of the Urban Renewal Area until, and if, the Interstate Corridor URA Advisory Committee decides that it wants to amend the Urban Renewal Plan to include condemnation. There will be no condemnation in the Eliot Neighborhood Association for the life of the Plan.
Other Funding Sources. The availability of urban renewal funding should not cause other City programs or agencies to allocate resources which would otherwise be earmarked for north/northeast Portland to other parts of the city. Where appropriate, City programs or agencies should consider shifting resources away from capital projects eligible for urban renewal funds, towards other north/northeast Portland community needs which are ineligible for urban renewal funding.

Principles by Topic Area

HOUSING

Displacement. Develop and implement programs that address potential displacement of current residents (renters and homeowners), including non-citizens, so that they may remain in their homes and neighborhoods.
Home Ownership. Increase equity-building ownership opportunities (including a variety of housing options, e.g. condominiums and lofts), especially for existing renters, through programs such as shared appreciation mortgages, community land trust, down payment assistance, as well as more conventional financing methods. Educate existing residents about these programs with a thorough outreach program.
Compatible Infill. Assure that infill housing is compatible with established neighborhoods in terms of scale, density, design, and range of affordability, through design standards and design review. Encourage rigorous community outreach to residents of affected areas prior to making any zone changes that might result in significantly increased density, particularly in the portions of neighborhoods between I-5 and Interstate Avenue.
Seniors/Single Parents/Disabled. Facilitate the retention/creation of affordable housing opportunities for seniors, single-parent households, the low income and working poor and those with disabilities. Where appropriate, incorporate accessibility design principles.
Housing Balance. Provide a mix of housing opportunities consistent with the range of choices that existed within the urban renewal area in the Year 2000. Encourage a mix of incomes among projects to reduce the concentration of any particular income level in any particular neighborhood.
Preservation. Preserve and rehabilitate the existing housing stock and maintain its affordability through the use of different financing tools and technical assistance
Housing For Workers. Provide ample housing opportunities for people who work in the area (current and future employees).
Design Review. Encourage developers to seek neighborhood/community feedback on the design of new residential projects; require this feedback in the case of urban renewal-funded projects
Support Services. Support efforts to assure that necessary services are available to support current and new residents: schools, transit, grocery and other retail, social services, childcare (especially for high density housing), parks and open space, etc.
Income Diversity. Assure that an adequate supply of housing is available to people of all income levels throughout the district.
Transit Supportive Housing. Support mixed-use, mixed -income housing projects along major transit corridors including Interstate Avenue.
Housing Strategy. Prepare and implement a comprehensive Interstate Corridor Housing Strategy to guide future funding decisions within the URA in accordance with the principles enumerated herein. The Strategy will assess the housing needs and availability for populations at risk of displacement, as well as identify existing programs and develop new programs to address the issue of residential gentrification and involuntary displacement, affordability, increased ownership opportunities, etc. The development and ongoing monitoring of this Strategy will involve extensive involvement of residents of all types – renters, owners, long-term and more recent residents, upper income, middle income, lower income, etc.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/JOBS

Economic Principles Overview. The overall purpose of the economic development principles and of the related project and program activities identified in Section VII of this Plan is to strengthen existing businesses and to assist north/northeast residents in jobs. Implementation will occur as part of a comprehensive planning effort, coordinated among the many agencies and employers.
Wealth Creation. Foster entrepreneurship and wealth creation within the community.
Displacement. Retain and support existing businesses by seeking to insure that they benefit from the urban renewal program and related activities (including light rail). Strive to minimize the involuntary displacement of existing businesses in the Urban Renewal Area, regardless of size, through an assessment of the needs of businesses at risk of displacement. This assessment will identify existing programs and develop new programs and strategies (such as small business loans, storefront grants, business assistance, etc.) intended to retain and support these businesses.
Business Expansion. Support expansion of existing businesses that offer family- wage employment opportunities within the community.
Brownfields. Encourage the productive redevelopment of brownfield sites. Identify and analyze the sites, through a thorough public process, with input from property owners, affected residents, and others. Strive to utilize area residents and contractors in all phases of the effort, including assessment, remediation, redevelopment, and end uses. Also, consider supporting the creation of a community development corporation (s) to perform some or all of these tasks.
Training Facilities. Support the creation of job training facilities, resource facilities, and other workforce development facilities that serve to expand employment opportunities within the community through community-based organizations and employment and training partnerships with area schools, employers, and local businesses. Urban renewal expenditures should serve to leverage other expenditures (training, equipment, etc.) which are not eligible for urban renewal funding. Support expansion of programs to create market-driven job training components, resource components, and other workforce development components that serve to expand employment opportunities. Develop a network of training partnership agencies which includes area schools and employers to ensure effective service delivery for residents.
Family-Wage Jobs. Prioritize maintaining and attracting family-wage jobs in the URA. Family wage refers to incomes that can sustain a family, including a full range of benefits (medical, etc.).
Existing Residents. Provide opportunities for current area residents to obtain new jobs and create wealth before, during, and after construction of the light rail line, in part by striving to utilize area residents and businesses on all project phases and new developments within the URA.
Positive Business Environment. Recognizing that each area serves a different purpose and that all areas help enrich the fabric of the entire community, create an environment that supports existing businesses, increases profitability, creates jobs, and encourages the development of new complementary businesses and industries. Ensure compatibility between commercial, industrial, and residential areas for their mutual benefit. Improve the community’s economic capacity to support business.
Job Access. Optimize access of area residents to employment opportunities both inside and outside of the URA.
Child Care. Support access to stable, quality child care through the development of child care networks. Focus on improvements in provider training, facilities improvements, transportation needs, and provider business development to free up other funds for subsidies to parents. Employers benefiting from urban renewal will be required to describe how they will assist workers with child care prior to receiving urban renewal support.
Economic Development Strategy. Prepare a comprehensive economic development strategy to guide funding decisions in accordance with the principles set forth herein. The Strategy will assess the needs and opportunities related to job growth and wealth creation, and will identify existing programs to address these needs and opportunities, and also develop new programs where warranted. The development and ongoing monitoring of this Strategy will involve residents, business owners, workforce development providers, education, and other concerned parties.

TRANSPORTATION

Optimize Light Rail Investment. Optimize the benefits of light rail by coordinating other program investments to realize potential commercial and residential investment resulting in economic vitality and revitalization of the area, and by enhancing access to transit for residents and workers.
Target Investments. Target transportation/infrastructure investments to fulfill jobs, housing, and revitalization objectives of the Interstate Corridor. Give priority to transportation improvements that will enhance access to key employment areas.
Coordination with Other Goals. Coordinate and integrate transportation investments with other goals and objectives of the Urban Renewal Plan (e.g. parking to serve economic development objectives, housing, access to jobs, neighborhood services such as childcare, etc.).
Access. Assure that area residents and workers have access to a variety of transportation options to provide connections to jobs, services, community facilities, etc. This is especially critical with regard to east-west connections to light rail stations.
Pedestrian Environment. Create a pleasant and safe pedestrian environment, particularly in terms of enhancing, extending, and creating pedestrian access to transit.
Traffic Impacts. Mitigate negative impacts on area streets resulting from traffic displaced from Interstate Avenue due to light rail, as well as other traffic impacts in the general area. Invest in infrastructure and signaling technology to coordinate traffic flow with light rail, increase arterial effectiveness, and support economic development, job creation, and neighborhood livability.
Transportation Modes. Encourage alternatives to auto travel by improving facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists, buses, and light rail, while still accommodating auto travel in the area.
Truck Access. Maintain good truck access to businesses within the urban renewal area, but discourage truck movement which is only passing through the area. Also discourage truck movement on residential streets.
Transportation Strategy. Prepare a transportation strategy to guide funding decisions in accordance with the goals and objectives of the Plan, and to coordinate these decisions with the housing, economic development, and revitalization strategies of the Plan.

REVITALIZATION

Focus Redevelopment. Focus major redevelopment around light rail station areas and other key nodes within the Urban Renewal Area, such as intersections of main arterials, to optimize the leverage of public investment and to recognize that redevelopment is critical to the success of light rail.
Main Streets. Foster the development of mixed-use, medium- and high-density projects at appropriate locations, e.g. at transit stations and along Main Street corridors as identified in the Metro 2040 Plan. These projects would typically consist of one or more floors of residences over ground floor commercial/retail.
Location of High Density. Locate high-density housing in appropriately zoned areas along major transit corridors, in a manner that is compatible with adjoining neighborhoods.
Mixed Uses. Provide for a mix of uses (housing and commercial) along main street corridors, especially Interstate, with related support services such as day care.
Mix Of Scales. Public-sponsored redevelopment projects should be divided into small and medium scale components, where feasible, to increase opportunities for local, smaller scale developers and contractors, especially Minority/Women/Emerging Small Business contractors.
Revitalization Strategy. Prepare and implement strategies for the revitalization of key areas within the urban renewal area, including light rail station areas, and primary corridors and nodes. These strategies will examine appropriate uses and urban design considerations for redevelopment parcels, and identify public infrastructure and financial assistance necessary to result in redevelopment. The strategies will incorporate the input of affected property owners and neighborhood associations.

URBAN FORM/ URBAN DESIGN/HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Target Street Improvements. Target streetscape improvements to complement light rail use and to leverage appropriate private investment.
Development Quality. Promote high quality development that recognizes and builds on the existing architectural character and assets of the area and that uses high-quality, long-lasting materials that complement existing adjacent buildings.
Historic Preservation. Make preservation and maintenance of identified historically and/or culturally significant buildings, landscapes, and objects a high priority of urban renewal activities. Place an emphasis on resources that are reflective of the area’s social and cultural history.
Design Review. On urban renewal-funded projects, utilize a design review process, with community input, to assure that major new development is compatible with the existing character of the area.
Heritage. Recognize, honor, and preserve buildings, sites, and other features associated with the diverse cultural and social heritage of the area, particularly that of the African-American community.
Art & Parks. Encourage development near light rail to incorporate public art and pocket parks. Where possible and appropriate, join TRI-MET in investing in public art and greenspaces and encourage private investment as well. Public art should reflect the history of the area and should utilize local artists.
Sustainable Development. Promote and encourage resource and energy efficient design in accordance with the City’s Green Buildings policy and standards.

PARKS & OPEN SPACE

Existing Assets. Protect, maintain, and improve existing parks, school grounds, facilities and open space assets within the corridor.
Linkages. Enhance, extend, and create pedestrian and bicycle linkages between area residents, jobs, and light rail, and parks and open spaces, including places such as the Columbia Slough, North Portland Harbor, and the Willamette River at Swan Island
New Development. Incorporate suitable, high quality parks and open spaces within or near large-scale new development.
Community Needs. Meet the recreational and open space needs of the community.
Preserve and Enhance Natural Areas. Preserve and enhance natural areas, such as the Columbia Slough, Bridgeton Slough and the Willamette riverbanks and greenway.
Pocket Parks. Acquire vacant/abandoned sites for pocket parks, especially in areas that are under-served in terms of open space.

COMMUNITY FACILITIES/PUBLIC BUILDINGS/INFRASTRUCTURE

Existing and Future Facilities. Maintain, enhance and connect existing and future community services and facilities to meet the needs of current and future residents.
Location Coordination. Coordinate the location and operation of community facilities with transportation and housing investments.
Intergenerational. Create new intergenerational community facilities, i.e. targeting youth, seniors, childcare, the disabled, etc.
Accessibility. Provide facilities that are accessible and affordable to residents and employees and which enhance employment opportunities.
Multiple Benefits. Design and operate current and future infrastructure to balance and integrate social, economic, and natural resource benefits.

Contact Information

Kate Deane, e-mail

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