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After long delays for a proposed $185 million waterfront development in Oregon City, a new potential suitor has emerged for the 92-acre Clackamette Cove site.

At a recent urban renewal commission meeting, developers Ed Darrow and Randy Tyler gave an update on their project; however, Concordia University representatives also expressed interest in expanding into Oregon City and onto the site. Although details are sparse, university administrators say their project could bring as many as 300 family-wage jobs to the city.

Four years ago, Darrow and Tyler were selected by the city to turn the publicly owned property into a mix of apartments, condominiums and commercial space with the help of $10 million in urban renewal money. Then two delays occurred, after the economy took a nosedive and a few project partners backed out.

After reworking project phasing during the past year and securing a new financial partner 鈥� 鈥� the developers last week met with city officials to request an extension to an Oct. 30 deadline in order to work out final details.

City officials in the next month will consider both the developers’ project changes and interest expressed by Concordia University.

According to city councilor Jim Nicita, who serves on the city’s urban renewal commission and has served as a liaison between the city and the university, Concordia would use the site to house a federally accredited Homeland Security training center. A large, conference-style education facility and a simulation center would be included, he said.

In addition, Concordia would partner with Growth Design Corp., a company that helps businesses grow and has searched for space in Oregon City. According to Nicita, the company was looking at the former Blue Heron mill site, but has since turned its attention toward the cove site.

Madeline Turnock, spokeswoman for Concordia University, said the school’s interest in the Cove project is still preliminary. The university hasn’t decided whether to expand beyond its location in Northeast Portland.

鈥淐oncordia’s 鈥� letter of interest is an earliest expression of interest, following an inquiry by Oregon City into the university’s potential interest in local property,鈥� Turnock said. 鈥淭he university would follow its own internal strategic planning process and (long-range visioning plan) in determining whether or not to pursue any potential expansion opportunities.鈥�

Oregon City Mayor Doug Neeley acknowledged that the idea is interesting, but that right now it is only an idea.

鈥淚t’s only a letter,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e haven’t seen anything in terms of an actual plan, and until we do, we can’t really discuss it as part of the development.鈥�

The biggest question is whether the university’s project would replace the Cove development plan or accompany it. The city has invested $3 million in the present project. If councilors were to approve the rephased plan pitched by the developers, the city would need to contribute $7 million more for the project.

So far, the university has communicated with only Nicita and another city commissioner, Kathy Roth, about the Cove project. Both Darrow and Tyler said they’ve been focused exclusively on changes to their project. They knew of the letter of interest, but had not talked with the university yet.

The developers say office space could be available to suit Concordia. A few years ago, Kaiser Permanente expressed interest in locating a medical facility on the site, but according to Darrow, the company backed out because of economic conditions. Darrow said that plans presently call for two office facilities 鈥� one 80,000 square feet and one 58,000 square feet.

鈥淲e’re open to work with different entities, but as of right now we are focused on moving forward with the residential phase of the project,鈥� Darrow said.

The other issue that could arise is that Concordia University, as a faith-based educational institution, could be subject to some sort of property tax abatement. So, it wouldn’t increase the tax base, which is the main purpose of urban renewal.

David Frasher, Oregon City manager, said he wasn’t sure what would happen with the university. But he added that in his initial discussions with Growth Design Corp., the company indicated that it wouldn’t seek a property tax exemption and wouldn’t ask for urban renewal money.

鈥淲e are more mindful than most about our property tax base 鈥� because we have a lot of tax-exempt public facilities already,鈥� he said.

Frasher added that more details are likely to emerge in the coming weeks. He expects the city to resume regular meetings with the project developers within the month, at which time they will likely discuss interest from Concordia University and Growth Design Corp.