North Macadam

Urban Renewal Area (URA) Fast Facts

Objective

• Pursue significant commercial and housing development in a former industrial area by redeveloping the district into a mixed-use Central City neighborhood, with a spectacular greenway and parks system
• Improve transportation infrastructure and accessibility
• Enhanced public amenities and uses

Overview

Twenty years ago, the North Macadam Urban Renewal Area (URA) was a largely vacant, under-performing industrial part of town hampered by a lack of infrastructure and a need for environmental clean up. It was physically close to downtown, but disconnected and overlooked. But this began to change in 1999, when City Council established the URA to realize its potential as an employment center, a vibrant neighborhood and an extension of the Central City District.

With renewed interest in urban living and shopping, North Macadam is well positioned to take part in that trend for high density, mixed use, environmentally friendly development in Portland. Plans for the area include new housing, employment, walking paths, parks, trails, light rail and an aerial tram.

Improved streets and transportation options will create connections between North Macadam, downtown and adjoining neighborhoods.

Project Areas

The urban renewal area has several subareas that focus planning and redevelopment into functional, accessible communities.

• Harbor Naito Study Area — Six acres of vacant land along the northwestern edge of the URA between RiverPlace and downtown Portland. This land is being planned for redevelopment but faces significant challenges due in part to the slope of the land, utilities and the need for street connections. Plans for this area include extension of the light rail line and expansion of the International School.

• North of Kelly District Plan — The North Macadam Urban Renewal Area includes an under-developed upland area west of Interstate 5 and south of Interstate 405. This area is approximately 15.5 +/- acres in size, including right-of-way. The area is bounded by I-405 to the north, I-5 to the east, SW Kelly Avenue to the south and Naito Parkway / First Avenue to the west.

  The land parcels in this area are anticipated to redevelop, but face significant challenges due in part to the topography, lack of connectivity, and urban constraints from multiple corridors that isolate this area from adjacent neighborhoods.

  PDC, with the Bureau of Planning and the Portland Department of Transportation, has completed a planning study of this area to help identify access, circulation and development issues and propose solutions. The study program included a market analysis of the area and traffic analysis of proposed concepts. In addition, the study evaluated urban design and development opportunities. The results of this study will also inform current and upcoming studies such as the North Macadam Transportation Strategy.

  The study was funded by the Oregon Department of Land Conservation & Development (DLCD) and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) through their Transportation Management Quick Response Program. Public participation included property owner meetings and public workshops.

• RiverPlace — River Place was the first area within the urban renewal area to experience a rebirth. Formerly included in the Downtown Waterfront Urban Renewal Area, it set the direction for change in the early 1980’s as the area evolved into to thriving mixed commercial and residential neighborhood.
  PDC acquired 73 acres of undeveloped waterfront land between the Marquam and Hawthorne Bridges in 1979. Over the next five years, the Commission completed more than $6 million in infrastructure development and improvements, including public streets, riverfront and park expansion, marina basin dredging, and enhanced pedestrian access.

• "Urban Pioneers" are already moving into The Meriwether, the first of many condominium buildings rising up from the ground in Portland's South Waterfront District. OHSU's office and research tower is pictured in the background.

  South Waterfront and the Central District —
  A 130-acre neighborhood currently undergoing intensive redevelopment, generating both new jobs and housing. Growth in this area is led by the expansion of the Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) and a wide range of high density housing opportunities. The entire District embodies the principles of Smart Growth taking advantage of the neighborhood’s location on the river.
  The Central District, as the name implies, is 33-centrally located blocks in South Waterfront that has been the focal point of early development. Roles and responsibilities for construction within the district are guided by a development agreement signed by City bureaus, River Campus Investors, North Macadam Investors and OHSU, the major developers in South Waterfront.

• Willamette Greenway — The idea is simple, but beneficial in so many ways: provide a continuous pedestrian and bike pathway along the waterfront, and design new development to embrace this public promenade, rather than obstruct it. Created by Governor Tom McCall in 1973, the Greenway is now institutionalized in Portland 's plans and regulations but has yet to be constructed in certain locations.
  By prioritizing development of a multi-use trail and open space system along with the development of other infrastructure in North Macadam, we provide transportation and recreation opportunities, the ability of residents and office workers to enjoy the scenic and environmental beauty of the river and its ecosystems.

Urban Renewal Advisory Committee (URAC) Meeting Summaries

URAC meetings are scheduled monthly, and are open to the public. Summaries of these meetings are provided for your review.

Publications (Key documents are listed below; other project-related publications are listed under each subareas linked above.)

     Fact Sheets

• South Waterfront Fact Sheet
• South Waterfront Park At A Glance Fact Sheet
• North Macadam Fact Sheet

     Tour Materials for the North Macadam Urban Renewal Area

• Tour the North Macadam URA area
  • North Macadam URA Tour handout
  • North Macadam URA Project map

     South Waterfront Central District Publications

• Complete SWF Central District Development Agreement, Exhibits, and Amendments (95-page report, 198-pages exhibits)
• Complete list of South Waterfront Central District publications

     Key Background Publications

• What's Happening in the Urban Renewal Area
• Smart Growth in North Macadam and South Waterfront
• North Macadam Urban Renewal Plan
• RiverPlace publication
• Studies by E.D. Hovee & Company
• Related Maps — (North Macadam URA, South Waterfront District, North Macadam Aerial, South Waterfront District Property Owners, South Waterfront Central District)

PDC Project Team

• Patrick Quinton, Senior Development Manager
  503-823-3355, e-mail
• Larry Brown, Senior Development Manager
  503-823-3353, e-mail
• Todd Juhasz, Development Manager
  503-823-3815, e-mail
• Geraldene Moyle, Senior Project Coordinator
  503-823-3420, e-mail
• James Mast, Senior Project Coordinator
  503-823-3949, e-mail
• Charlie Baad Senior Administrative Specialist
  503-823-2595, e-mail
• Joleen Jensen-Classen, Public Participation Coordinator
  503-823-3552, e-mail

Urban Renewal Area Map

North Macadam Urban Renewal Map (PDF, 468 kb). 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

North Macadam Calendar of Events

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