River District

Future of Urban Renewal - Use this link to learn more about our new Future of Urban Renewal Initiative and PDC's efforts to better serve our community. PDC Board of Commissioners Meeting, May 14, 2008 materials: Agenda Item #9: Urban Renewal Area Plan Amendments for Lents Town Center, South Park Blocks, Downtown Waterfront, and River District: Report 08-63, Resolution 6586, Resolution 6587 Red Lined version of River District's Urban Renewal Plan

Urban Renewal Area (URA) Fast Facts

Objective

• Generate new private investment and improve the tax base on vacant and underutilized land by developing a wide range of new housing units, new commercial opportunities and open space, all oriented to the Willamette River
• Retain and enhance Union Station's function as a public asset and transportation center.
• To foster a "24-hour" city environment for residents, visitors, and employees

The plans call for the creation of a high density urban residential neighborhood in partnership with the City of Portland. The area has a mix of multi-family housing, major office facilities, regional attractions, retail businesses, parks and open spaces. All activities in the River District further the programs and priorities established in the Central City Plan, River District Development Plan, and the River District Housing Implementation Strategy, all adopted by the City Council.

In 1994, the River District Housing Implementation Strategy was adopted by the City Council. This calls for 5,000 new housing units with an average density of 100 units per acre. This also mandates that the mix of new housing meets the income demographics of the City as a whole.

Public investment in the River District includes:

• Construction of Central City Streetcar on NW 10th and 11th Avenues, and NW Lovejoy and Northrup Streets
• Demolition of the Lovejoy and 10th Avenue ramps and reconstruction of those streets at grade
• Acquisition of land and development of 4.5 acres of park space
• Phased acquisition and development of the waterfront
• Construction of the Classical Chinese Garden along with other redevelopment efforts in Old Town/Chinatown
• Construction of new roads and parking facilities
• Financing of 2,000-3,000 affordable housing units

Much of this is in a unique partnership with Hoyt Street Properties, a major landowner in the district. Financing comes from:

• Federal, state and local transportation funds
• Various housing assistance sources and tax increment proceeds from the Downtown Waterfront Urban Renewal District (which includes Old Town, Chinatown, and Union Station areas) and the newly created River District Urban Renewal District (which includes the area generally west of NW Broadway).

Programs Available in the River District URA

• Storefront Improvement Program

Active Project Areas

• Centennial Mills
• The Fields
• Meier & Frank

Project Areas

• 9th and Lovejoy Redevelopment — Preparation of a development plan. Project will be a mixed-use site with a grocery store on the ground floor, housing above the ground floor, and parking.
• Brewery Blocks Development — Participation in the redevelopment of the Blitz Weinhard Brewery property.
• Creative Services — Development strategies to assist the growth and expansion of the creative services industry in the River District. Provide business assistance services.
• Jamison Square and North Park Block Development
• Mixed Income Housing Development
• Northwest Broadway Urban Design Master Plan
• One Waterfront Place — Development of the One Waterfront Place building, including public site improvements.
• Waterfront Acquisition Development — Funds to acquire key redevelopment properties pursuant to the Old Town/Chinatown Development Plan

Team Leader

• Steven Shain, e-mail

Publications

• Central City Urban Renewal Study - November 2004

• Burnside and Couch Transportation and Urban Design Project
• Centennial Mill Report on Future Options
• Centennial Mills Framework Plan
• Centennial Mills Plans map
• Centennial Mills Redevelopment Site
• Centennial Mills Report on Existing Conditions
• Hoyt Street Property - Amended and Restated Agreement for Development
• Hoyt Street Property Master Plan
• Meier & Frank Redevelopment Project
• NW Marshall Street Pedestrian Bridge Feasibility Study
• PDC Related Downtown Projects
• Pearl District Development Plan
• Portland River District Park System Urban Design Framework Study
• River District Housing Implementation Strategy Annual Report 2007
• River District Planning Area Development Projects
• River District Recreation and Open Space Needs Assessment
• River District URA map
• River District Urban Renewal Area Plan
• Tanner Creek Park Steering Committee Report
• Meier & Frank: Saving One of America's Great Stores

River District Development Projects map

You may also view or download a printable PDF version. This map is provided for illustrative purposes only. For detailed information about specific property, please contact: Multnomah County Assessment and Taxation Records Management 503-988-3375

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