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What exactly is ‘blight?’ Oregon needs a new definition
I’ve been a student of urban renewal and tax increment financing for the past three years, trying quickly to take in an extensive and complex topic. And even though I’ve […]
Group forms to fight Wilsonville’s one-property URA
A former Wilsonville mayor, John Ludlow, is opposed to the city creating a one-property urban renewal area to entice a large employer. But more importantly, he said, the city鈥檚 decision did not go before voters.
Urban renewal to the rescue, this time in Redmond
The city of Redmond has extended an urban renewal area to accommodate $93.5 million worth of projects. One of those projects calls for upgrading a former school building and relocating city operations into it.
Wilsonville wants new urban renewal area – around one building
The city of Wilsonville is eager to lure San Jose, Calif.-based solar manufacturer SoloPower 鈥� and as many as 500 jobs and investments worth as much as $340 million 鈥� to a vacant distribution warehouse. Creation of an enterprise zone, a typical incentive, is not an option, so Wilsonville is looking to create Oregon鈥檚 first one-building, single-property urban renewal area.
Public support mixed on URA near Portland State University
A new poll conducted by the city of Portland finds that residents are split on whether the Portland Development Commission should create a new urban renewal area around Portland State University in downtown.
PDC takes Rose Quarter properties off table for URA expansion
The city of Portland is moving forward with plans to expand the city's largest urban renewal area by 430 acres. But the Rose Quarter, which was criticized by nearby residents for being included, has been removed from the expansion plans.
Group fights Oregon urban renewal bill
Proponents and opponents of urban renewal are coming together to fight an urban renewal bill that even some of them admitted was a good idea.
Critics like latest URA proposal better, not totally
Portland Mayor Sam Adams last week pitched the creation of a 135-acre urban renewal area that would encompass Portland State University. But while urban renewal critics like this plan better than a previously proposed downtown URA, they do not support it fully.
Adams pitches new downtown URA
In his annual State of the City address, Portland Mayor Sam Adams on Friday proposed creating a new urban renewal area encompassing all of Portland State University in Southwest Portland.
Oregon City residents eager to save mall
A long-standing divide among Oregon City commissioners on how to spend urban renewal money came to the forefront last week when a $200 million project and 1,500 new jobs were threatened.
Urban renewal to rear head at Oregon Legislature
An Oregon senator from Portland sponsored and introduced a bill this month that would permit urban renewal plans to include school construction or reconstruction projects.
Portland could lose the PDC
I want to take a moment and follow up on my two previous blog posts (here and here), which examined the potential closure of all 425 redevelopment agencies in California. […]
News
- Multnomah County commits up to $101.6M for Moda Center
- Portland code changes to take effect in November
- Los Colibris project approved for Portland’s OMSI District
- Pacific Northwest projects totaling $9.9 million in top bidders | Aug. 7, 2026
- Oregon opens infrastructure grant program
- Ex-TV host claps back at Detroit officials in blight case
- 31-unit multifamily project in Portland land use review intakes | Aug. 3, 2026
- $2.4 million office renovation in Portland building permits | Aug. 3, 2026
- Transportation commission weighs ODOT budget cuts
- Lam Research planning $1.7 billion investment in Tualatin
- Pacific Northwest projects totaling $10.6 million in top bidders | July 31, 2026
- Many Oregon counties struggling to maintain their fairgrounds
Commentary
- Beware of when the debt collector comes calling | Opinion
- Assembly of a future workforce begins with an invitation | Opinion
- Beware of overlooking legal requirements for remote workers | Opinion
- Become a critical thinker and transform a workplace | Opinion
- Managing construction risks with international suppliers | Opinion
- A rally with many engines: the lesson of 2026’s first half | Opinion
- Oregon housing challenges persist despite sound and fury | Opinion
- When does an employee’s bullying become harassment? | Opinion
- Ditch disorganization 鈥� the cost of deferred decisions | Opinion
- Consider 10 common risks for healthcare construction projects | Opinion
- Clarifying the reach of a law regarding prevailing wage | Opinion
- Adjust to legal changes now to ensure compliance later | Opinion
