North Macadam

North Macadam Urban Renewal Area
Urban Renewal Advisory Committee
MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, January 15, 2004
8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Portland Development Commission
Commission Conference Room

Committee Attendees: Jay Kenton, Steven Gray, Bob Durgan, Jerry Ward, Scenna Shipley, Dee Walsh, Barbara Walker, Pasquale Pascuzzi, Nicole Peterson, Vince Sheridan, Mark Edlen, Lois Davis, Ron Balash

1. Welcome & Opening Comments
Urban Renewal Advisory Committee (URAC) member Steven Gray opened the meeting at 8:30 am.

2. Review & Approval of December 4, 2003 Meeting Minutes
The following changes were noted: Jay Kenton is Vice President, not President, of Portland State University. Mr. Gray’s first name is Steven and not John.

Pending these changes the minutes were approved.

6. New Membership Welcome & Review of URAC Charge/Role
Cheryl Twete (PDC, Development) explained that in 2003 PDC adopted an updated policy on URAC membership. To comply with this new policy, it was necessary to update URAC membership, and to that end seven new members have been added. The new URAC members introduced themselves: Ron Balash (Multi-Services), Bob Durgan (The Zidell Companies), Steven Gray (Rodda Paint), Jay Kenton (Portland State University), Vince Sheridan (Equity Office), Scenna Shipley (Portland Business Alliance), and Dee Walsh (REACH Community Development, Inc.)

3. PDC Budget FY 04/05
Nancy McClain (PDC, Director of Finance) gave a presentation which provided a historical overview of the North Macadam Urban Renewal Area (URA) and information pertaining to the development of the FY 04/05 Budget. A handout was provided.

• To view the presentation please visit the PDC website at: /budget/default.asp
• Ms. McClain explained that the numbers we’re currently showing are truly preliminary and PDC needs the URAC’s input as to how we adjust the budget.
• The URAC was invited to respond with their comments and suggestions by the end of February.
• Ms. McClain indicated that she would like to come back in late March for another presentation and discussion so that the committee members can see how their input affected the budget.
• It will not be until April or May that we have concrete ending balances. Funds not spent in FY 03/04 will be rolled over to the next fiscal year.
• Cheryl Twete pointed out that the Funding Strategy is different from the PDC Budget. The Funding Strategy includes LIDS, City resources Private resources, etc. At our next meeting we can come back with an updated Funding Strategy and compare the two documents.
• Cheryl Twete noted that the North Macadam District is unique in that we are seeking a substantial amount of state and federal funding, and we are receiving a lot of support from the leadership of different agencies. We’re hoping for those dollars to show up in this budget by February.

Christine Egan (PDC, Public Relations) introduced herself, and distributed an evaluation form and requested that the Committee submit their concerns.

4. Harbor-Naito Redevelopment Study
Rachel Blakeman (PDC, Development) provided a brief overview of a new project, the Harbor-Naito Redevelopment Study.

• PDC has received a grant for a redevelopment/feasibility study of the Hillside between Naito Parkway and Harbor drive.

  Catalysts for the Project:

  • The streetcar extension to RiverPlace
  • The International School is doing a ten year redevelopment Plan
  • PDOT and ODOT are redefining their ownership -- part of the Streetcar Funding Strategy calls for PDOT to dispose of some land for redevelopment,
  • The redevelopment and funding of Parcel J

Project Objectives:

• Identify suitable uses
• Identify possible connections to transit and transportation facilities
• Identify alternatives for coordinating access to and through the area
• Improve access for pedestrian, bike and auto transit
• Improve Urban design
• pedestrian connections
• Create a connection to and from downtown
• Provide the gateway to North Macadam

• Crandall Arambula has been selected do the work. They’re finalizing their scope and budget now.
• Completion is anticipated in May.
• We will notify interested parties when a date is chosen for the kick-off, public meeting.

5. Doubletree Follow-up to 12/4 Discussion
Jane Blackstone (PDC, Development) provided a brief update on the Doubletree Acquisition.

• The final actions for the Doubletree transaction were approved at the December 17th Commission Meeting.
• The DDA was approved and formalized
• PDC has started the negotiation of a Good Neighbor Agreement with American Plaza.

Jay Kenton (Vice President, PSU) noted that the Doubletree will act temporarily as a conference center for academic conferences. The hotel is scheduled to close at the end of February. We’re hoping to re-open May 1 and use the facility for overflow student housing. A longer term redevelopment plan will begin after that.

Jane Blackstone explained that PDC prepared a response to Jerry Ward’s issues regarding the Doubletree Acquisition at the December 2, 2003 NMAC URAC. A handout illustrating PDC’s response was provided to the Committee. Ms. Blackstone invited committee members to address any unresolved questions.

Jerry Ward (CTLH Representative) stated that the CTLH board has not yet taken a position on the letter, but that he would like to address a couple of items in the letter. Mr. Ward made the following comments:

• PSU is a non-profit tax supported institution, so that is a matter of taking money from one public area and putting it into PDC. You’re using tax dollars to pay for tax dollars.
• The CTLH Board made the position that PSU is going out of the University District with the purchase of the Doubletree Hotel. Does this mean that PSU’s movements define the district, and if so what is the purpose of our zoning code?

Jane Blackstone offered to attend the upcoming February CTLH board meeting in an effort to response to the Board’s concerns.

7. Project Updates

Neighborhood Park Acquisition
The acquisition of the Public Storage site is an obligation of the South Waterfront Central District Development Agreement. Commission approved the acquisition in the December meeting. We anticipate going to City Council for ratification of that acquisition in late January or early February. We continue to do work on the funding strategy. We’ll send out a notice if the City Council meeting occurs before the next URAC.

EPA Brownfields Open House
The date has been changed to February 25. Please join us for this great opportunity to learn about Brownfields and use of the EPA grant.

Tram Schedule
The Tram schedule has been revised. There have been new developments in the design that have indicated revision of the cost estimate. The firm is working hard to finalize the design. Sarah Graham will be in town the week of February 9th to present the schematic design to the Tram CAC. There will be public meetings to present this information shortly after completion.

Central District
The Bureau of Environmental Services is well underway with the sewer overflow project. The Street Improvement Project will begin on January 26, 2004.

Macadam Avenue
There has been a delay in the property owner meeting. We’re currently looking for a meeting time next week. Representatives from ODOT will be in attendance.

6. Review of URAC Charge and Role.
Cheryl Twete gave a presentation outlining PDC’s URAC Operating Procedures. A handout was provided.

• PDC is the decision making board on behalf of the Commission, and the URAC consists of a group of stakeholders who have interest in the district, and can provide recommendation to the Commission.
• The main role of the URAC consists of recommendations regarding budget, Urban Renewal Plans, project feedback, as well as dialogue with members of the community who can be educational.
• URAC membership must be broad ranged. The North Macadam URAC consists of property owners, representatives from the neighborhood and business community, as well as advocates for affordable housing, openspace and the greenway.
• Attendance is important. Members may send a delegate if they are unable to attend.
• Special Meetings can be called for critical topics or items that require immediate approval.
• Agendas are distributed in advance of the meeting. (3 days)
• Rick Saito has been our chair; we will need to have an election of officers when he returns. It might be helpful to create a vice-chair.
• Cheryl Twete noted that more information on the specifics of how conflict of interest affects members will be presented after we receive clarification from our Legal Department.

8. Closing Remarks

Mel Kroker (Old Spaghetti Factory) asked about the status of LID formation? Is there any Public information?

PDOT is awaiting a cost estimate for the Tram LID. In addition, we’d like to meet with the Macadam Avenue property owners which we’re planning to begin in February. Public information should be available in March after we get feedback. The Tram LID would result in income to the Portland Office of Transportation.

Steven Gray adjouned the meeting at 10:00 a.m.

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