NIBA President Chris Crever opened the meeting by introducing current and newly appointed Board Members. Chris acknowledged Barbara Macnab’s stepping down as a board member due to business conflicts. He also acknowledged her many years of service as a board member and faithful Lift-Up volunteer.
Chris then introduced our host and guest speaker Kevin Johnson from Prosper Portland.
Discussion:
Kevin Johnson has been participating with NIBA since 2005. Prosper Portland’s main focus is:
Development and Redevelopment of Catalytic Locations
Climate Blight
Attracting new investments
Making areas more livable
Some of the areas that Prosper Portland has had the most impact are:
The Pearl District
The SW Waterfront
Union Station
Cascade Station
The light rail system
Lents Town Center
Prosper Portland focuses on economic development via their Business Advancement Team. Emphasis is given to- athletic and outdoors, metals and machinery, food and beverage, and Green Cities. Prosper Portland seeks employment with wages above the regional average, has a long-term outlook, and works with the traded sector (those who sell outside our region). E.g. Madden Fabrication and Daimler.
Prosper Portland supports organizations by-
Programming (information and resources)
Promotional events (supply chain and trade shows)
Competitive loans
Enterprise zone which offers a 5-year tax abatement (new equipment and machinery)
OMEP (lean efficiency improvement)
Increases competitiveness by creating a 60% efficiency improvement to organizations.
Kevin then introduced Crystal Finley (Prosper Portland’s Finance Department). Crystal has a background in banking. She focuses on clients here in Portland (specifically small businesses). Available business loans are typically used for equipment purchases, as working capital, and for construction. Prosper Portland Finance cannot offer loans to home based businesses, auto and semi purchases, food trucks, age restricted businesses (bars), for real estate acquisitions or for residential projects.
Crystal has a team of three lenders working with her. She and her team can offer tax increment loans with a 5% interest rate reduction. The terms of these loans are typically 10 years or 12 months interest only.
Kevin Johnson asked the group what they felt NIBA’s current issues are. The group agreed that connectivity was one primary concern. There is a lack of understanding of the concerns and objectives of our neighbors in NIBA’s district.
Miscellaneous comments by the group:
There is no emphasis on business in the City of Portland.
Businesses are exiting due to taxes, land values, crime, politics, and other issues.
There are approximately 30-35 districts in the Portland area that Thad Fisco (Portland Kettle Works) is passionate about getting together that we may have one voice with city officials. Prosper Portland and Venture Portland offered to broker/facilitate this process.
The upcoming charter change to the City of Portland was mentioned and wondered how Prosper Portland might help with this?
Andrea Smith from HomeStreet bank pointed out that Friendly House is a very important organization that has a huge influence in the NWDA (Northwest District Association).
The redevelopment of the Esco site was discussed and it was suggested that “mixed use” should include shops, artist studios, maker spaces, and apprenticeships below with living spaces above. This would be more desirable than retails shops and restaurants that offer minimum wage jobs.
Kevin Johnson introduced Barry Manning from the Bureau of Planning Services to update us on the MP2H project.
Barry acknowledged that he was here to discuss land use planning, not the streetcar specifically. BPS is working in collaboration with PBOT on the MP2H project. They are working on opportunities for “affordable” housing and “living wage” jobs on the former Esco site and surrounding areas. The original alignment has been modified to a new “hybrid” model. Montgomery Park zoning has already been changed to EX and the master plan includes building 800-850 housing units. How the former Esco site fits alongside this model is being developed. If this site is rezoned to EX the goal is to include 3,000 housing units. At this point the discussion draft proposes no changes to the area east of Hwy 30. BPS acknowledges that mitigation of the loss of industrial land is very important. BPS is working on defining what this area could look like and what characteristics are important to this area.
In an attempt to make this an “Equitable development” BPS is looking at the following public benefits-
Affordable Housing
Open space/park area
Wealth building for underserved communities (offering homeowner down payment assistance)
Commemoration to Sergeant Alvin York whom the street was named after.
The next steps for BPS and the MP2H project are-
Reengagement with the public
Prepare the proposed plan summer/fall of 2023
Submit to Planning and Design Bureau late 2023
Submit proposal to City Council 2024
What does BPS consider “affordable housing” and what do they believe the median wage is in Portland?
BPS’s goal is that 10% of the units need to be offered to individuals/families who live at 60% of the median wage. $55,000 per individual or $110,000 per family with double income was suggested by the group.
Barry illuded to the fact that this development will not be another Pearl or Slabtown district. The current offered alignment includes a 300’ buffer zone along the southern edge of the Guilds Lake Industrial Sanctuary.
The Meeting was adjourned at 1:40.