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Developer Mark Edlen discovered he was a candidate to fill the vacancy being left by outgoing Portland Development Commission board chairman Scott Andrews at his going-away party.

That was when Portland Mayor Charlie Hales grabbed Edlen, CEO of Gerding Edlen Development, by his sleeve and asked if he would take the position, Edlen said. He accepted the nomination after discussing the possibility with family, colleagues and four current commissioners.

Edlen, 61, said he considers the opportunity, subject to City Council approval, a way to give back to the community that fueled much of his company’s growth and focus on sustainability.

鈥淚 love our city, the political process, the design review process,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 think we have something very special, especially as I work with more people across the country. I feel the need to give back.鈥�

The addition of Edlen would balance out a board that lost its development voice when Andrews, president of Melvin Mark Properties, stepped down in July, city and commission leaders say. Andrews had served on the commission since 2008 and became chairman in 2009.

鈥淚’m really excited because Mark’s insights into the world of development will be very helpful,鈥� said Tom Kelly, who became commission chairman in June. 鈥淗e will be the only developer and will provide the insights of a developer as we move forward.鈥�

Edlen said he will focus on creating jobs and a sense of place in neighborhoods such as Lents that have not experienced as much of a building boom as others.

鈥淚 strongly believe in the Portland process,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 love the fact that we have strong neighborhoods, and I believe those neighborhoods belong to people who live there. We should knit ourselves into those neighborhoods and not be opposed to them.鈥�

Edlen also wants to open up opportunities to newer and younger firms that are starting to emerge in Portland.

鈥淚 am really impressed with the younger people coming into the business,鈥� he said. 鈥淭ogether, I think we can do cool things.鈥�

No date has been set for the City Council’s vote on Edlen’s appointment, but it is expected to take place in September.