Now, land is very constrained, especially industry-specific land like marine industrial. The city’s land supply analysis shows that we have a shortfall of marine industrial land. If the city and the region want to stay competitive and improve economic prosperity and quality of life, we need to make this land available for development now.

True sustainability is defined as progress that meets the needs of today’s citizens without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. To be truly sustainable, our City must stay keenly focused on the social, environmental and financial implications of our decisions. West Hayden Island gives us an incredible opportunity to balance all three.

The current proposal calls for mitigation that far exceeds the nature and extent of possible adverse impacts associated with the establishment of a Port terminal on West Hayden Island. As a real estate professional with over 25 years of experience, I have analyzed the market and conclude that the current value of industrial land is in the $5-7 range per square foot. If cost exceeds market, nothing will be built and Portland will lose yet another opportunity to create living wage jobs and support our regional export economy.

A proposal so burdened with conditions of approval is equivalent to denial.

We are getting to the end of the process; and tough decisions are going to have to be made. It’s not surprising to have differences of opinion among the group members; it is a complex process. This is the third time a committee has been convened to address annexation of WHI into the City. Debate has gone on for over a quarter century.

The process is what is required for tough decision making. Concessions and compromises have been made by all parties. We cannot delay on decision making and jeopardize an opportunity for a balanced result of job creation, community benefit and environmental improvements.

Brian Owendoff
West Hayden Island Committee Member