South Park Blocks

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 6585
  - Red Lined version of River District's Urban Renewal Plan
Recent media articles on South Park Blocks. View the South Park Blocks calendar.

Urban Renewal Area (URA) Fast Facts

Created:	1985
Total Acres:	157
Expires:	2008
Boundaries:	View the South Park Blocks URA boundaries.

Overview

spb-photo The South Park Blocks Urban Renewal Area, created in 1985, consists of several neighbor- hoods, including the University District, Cultural District, Park Avenue District, and the West End. These areas include significant historic buildings, cultural attractions and green spaces.

The University District is home to Portland State University (PSU), the state’s largest university. The Portland Art Museum, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Performing Arts Center and Oregon Historical Society are just a few of the Cultural District attractions. The Park Avenue District runs through the center of the URA, providing a unique urban design, open space, and historic quality to the heart of downtown Portland. The West End is home to many downtown churches and mixed-income, mixed-use housing developments.

PDC has played an important role in a number of developments, rehabilitations and public improvements in the URA. The Museum Place development, located in the West End, is a recently completed three-block catalyst mixed-use project that includes apartments, a new Safeway, condominiums, affordable housing, and a renovated downtown YWCA. With PDC assistance, the Portland Streetcar was constructed to link Portland’s Northwest and Pearl District neighborhoods to Portland State University and the new South Waterfront. The PSU Urban Plaza, part of the PSU campus, initiated an ongoing four-block redevelopment project east of PSU’s main campus that will eventually include a mix of commercial, residential, retail, and institutional development.

Current PDC efforts in the South Park Blocks URA focus on:

Improving the downtown transit mall to provide a better business environment and enhanced transit service.
Expanding and supporting the downtown retail core.
Providing new and renovated public open space for downtown residents, workers, and visitors.
Preserving affordable housing and providing middle income housing in support of a healthy mixed-income downtown residential neighborhood.
Recruiting and retaining jobs and promoting business opportunities in downtown.
Assisting Portland State University (PSU) as an economic generator for the city.

The South Park Blocks Urban Renewal Area’s deadline for issuance of new debt is July 1, 2008. The Westside Central City Study is currently underway to evaluate the future of this and other Central City urban renewal areas including possible urban renewal expiration, extension or revision.

URA Goals

Review a summary of goals for the South Park Blocks Urban Renewal Area (URA).