Interstate Corridor

Portland Development Commission
Interstate Corridor Urban Renewal Area

Advisory Committee Meeting
April 21, 2003
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
OAME – 4134 N. Vancouver Avenue

Meeting Summary

Attendees: Lenny Anderson, Pam Arden, Joe Dennis, Richard Dewolf, Maxine Fitzpatrick, Warren Fluker, Cathy Galbraith, Kurt Haapala, Brad Halvorsen, Doug Hartman, Alan Hipolito, Sheila Holden, Lisa Horne, Elizabeth Humphrey, Carol Jones-Williams, Jerry Lindsay, Julie Metcalf-Kinney, Larry Mills, Kay Newell, Tonya Parker, Rocky Polzin, Jennie Portis, Betsy Radigan, Jose Rivera, Walter Valenta.

Staff: Leah Halstead, Art Pearce, Colin Sears, John Southgate, Kathleen Wadden

Parks Needs Assessment: Kathleen Wadden from the Parks Bureau presented this item. She described the process, that has entailed extensive participation on the part of the community to identify proposed park improvements to the 13 parks in the URA boundaries. The Needs Assessment will also include an assessment of proposed trail improvements (e.g. 40 mile loop trail). Key themes included the need to leverage non-tif financial resources, the related need to forge partnerships with other agencies and community players, and the formation of a capital plan.

Public Comment: Joellen Chamberlin from the Interstate Avenue (Business) Association read a letter requesting that business revitalization (particularly along Interstate Avenue) be a key funding focus for PDC. ICURAC members were receptive to this point. The next Economic Development Subcommittee meeting provides an opportunity for further discussion on this matter. The Code Streamlining effort led by Sam Adams represents an important opportunity to affect the regulatory impediments to new business investment.

Killingsworth Street Funding Proposal: Art Pearce from PDOT reported on the proposed funding of design and first phase construction of the Killingsworth Street project (based on the preliminary design work which was funded by a TGM grant). The ICURAC endorsed a letter from Walter and Sheila to Metro; individual members were also encouraged to convey their support for project funding.

New Columbia: Walter and Sheila described their testimony to PDC regarding their proposal to create a “win-win” situation with respect to the use of Interstate TIF for New Columbia. Essentially, they would request that there be a delay in when Interstate TIF is used to pay down the $30MM + interest that the City incurred for the MAX project.

Jerry Lindsay asked about the TIF that might be generated from new private housing development in the project. He suggested that Interstate TIF portion of the New Columbia funding be more or less the net present value of the increment to be created by the project. It was pointed out, however, that this may be a small amount, in so far as many if not most of the private homes will be eligible for tax abatement.

Larry Mills asked about the tax credit allocation for the project, and how that impacts other projects in Interstate that might be harmed. Margaret Van Vliet from HAP reported that the deal that HAP is proposing to use draw the low income housing tax credit allocation from the relatively under-utilized State pool, thereby keeping the Multnomah County allocation for non-HAP projects at approximately its typical level.

Cathy Galbraith asked if the local match of $20,000,000 was required (she is aware that other HOPE VI projects didn’t utilize so high a local match). Margaret Van Vliet responded that the in year that Portland applied for its HOPE VI grant, there was a more aggressive local match expectation.

Walter described the process from here:

• Walter and Sheila will refine an initial proposal, and submit to the City, this week.
• This initial proposal will be copied to all ICURAC members via email
• There will probably be a follow up meeting among ICURAC members who want to stay more involved, probably the week of May 5.

John Southgate summarized the ICURAC’s key points:

• Any agreement should maximize the amount of TIF available for projects other than light rail and New Columbia in the early years of the URA
• Any agreement should minimize how much TIF goes to New Columbia
• There needs to be some means of assuring accountability on the part of HAP, the City, and PDC
• Any agreement should minimize the carrying costs

In addition to the financing issues described above, ICURAC members also noted that they expect HAP to abide by such core principles as local/community benefit (i.e. local hiring and contracting for the project), and displacement impacts.

Proposed 2003-2004 Budget: John briefly described the current year budget status, then summarized the proposed 2003-2004 budget. The ICURAC recommended one change – i.e., to add $100,000 to the storefront budget, resulting in a total 2003-2004 storefront budget of $200,000. The ICURAC also supported the notion of giving the highest priority to buildings along Interstate for the storefront program.

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