Of course, any neighborhood can point to pet projects and speak of the benefits an infusion of cash would bring. As a downtown resident, I can attest that the area is not in particular need of urban renewal money.

Urban renewal needs to be a scientifically-applied formula for giving truly ailing neighborhoods a boost towards becoming a self-sustaining, healthy and viable region. Portland lacks any concentrated, intractably poor area, and that has been one of our strengths as the most livable city in the country. Urban renewal is a potent tool in keeping our city that way – but it should come with stricter controls in order to prevent it from becoming a purely political tool.