Metro Council approves grants for regional planning projects
News release: June 10, 2010
Contact: Karen Kane, 503-797-1942, Karen.Kane@oregonmetro.gov
Entire region benefits from 17 local grants
The Metro Council today unanimously approved the distribution of $3.7 million in grants for planning projects that have the potential to lead to on the ground development in the next five years. Community Planning and Development grants were awarded to 10 local governments for 17 projects that will equitably support the development of sustainable, vibrant communities, safe and walkable neighborhoods, and local jobs throughout the region.
"Our region faces challenges in improving aging infrastructure, providing transportation and housing choices, preparing for jobs, and supporting sustainable development," said Metro Chief Operating Office Michael Jordan. "These grants will help our partner jurisdictions carry out planning work that's needed to prepare their communities for a prosperous future."
The grant slate was recommended to council by Jordan; his recommendation was nearly identical to that of a screening committee of independent experts that reviewed the grant applications this spring. The committee recommended full funding for 15 of 17 grants; Jordan moved one grant - planning for the Barbur corridor concept plan - to full funding.
Michael Jordan did a great job assembling a screening committee of professionals from a variety of backgrounds that brought a real balance to the decision-making as we considered each application," said Tom Skaar, partner in Pacific West Homes and committee member contributing expertise in development, redevelopment and real estate financing. "While we didn't always agree, we always reached consensus. These were fairly complex applications and I believe we ended up with a set of solid recommendations that reflected an equitable distribution of funds throughout the region."
The grant money comes from construction excise taxes assessed on construction permits issued within the Portland metropolitan region. Grants are meant to help local jurisdictions make land within the urban growth boundary ready for development. A complete list follows.
A total of $5,628,100 was requested for the 17 projects in this round of funding; public and private matching resources identified in the applications would leverage an additional $3,481,038.
A key criterion in granting the money was a focus on development or redevelopment in centers, corridors, main streets, station centers, employment areas or industrial areas that implement the region's 2040 Growth Plan. In response, several of the applications proposed projects for revitalizing and maintaining the distinctive character of industrial neighborhoods and historic downtowns.
Across the board, the grants also include best practices for sustainability - efforts that go beyond green building and take into account how to plan and develop land while preserving its value for future generations. Recipients are asked to promote redevelopment that uses existing infrastructure, recycle existing buildings, build mixed use residential business districts, promote transit oriented development, evaluate the impact of housing and transportation costs in development decisions, invest in natural areas, open spaces and green infrastructure and incorporate approaches that reduce automobile dependence and corresponding greenhouse gases.
The Metro Council will negotiate intergovernmental agreements with each of the local governments; awards will be made contingent on revenue being legally available.
Metro, the regional government that serves 1.5 million people who live in the 25 cities and three counties of the Portland metropolitan area, provides planning and other services that protect the nature and livability of our region.
GRANTS AWARDED
Cornelius Holladay Industrial Park Planning - $79,000
This is a three-part preparation of a 50-acre State Certified 'Shovel Ready' Industrial Site north of Holladay Drive in Cornelius. It consists of 1) Site Survey, 2) Wetland Study and Vegetated Corridor Functional Assessment, and 3) Traffic Study to be completed within six months of grant approval.
Forest Grove Redevelopment Planning - $85,000
Prepare an urban renewal feasibility study and urban renewal report to support implementation of a tax increment financing district in the City of Forest Grove. Desired outcomes include assessment of blight; identification of infrastructure investment necessary to spur private development within blighted areas of the community; subsidies required for mixed-use development consistent with local and regional objectives; assessment of potential tax increment revenue collections and potential impact to affected taxing districts.
Gresham TriMet Site Redevelopment Plan - $70,000
This project would work with TriMet to transform a park-and-ride lot into an intense signature development in the middle of Gresham's Regional Center. The project would study market, land use, and urban design potential of the site, explore financial feasibility of development and ensure adequate parkand-ride spaces.
Happy Valley Industrial Pre-Certification Study - $32,600
Utilize CET Grant funds to augment local in-kind work in facilitating work products/processes associated with an "Industrial Pre-Certification Study" for multiple 20+ acre properties located in Industrial Campus (RSIA-compliant) and Employment Center & Rock Creek Mixed Employment (Employment Area compliant) zoned areas within the roughly 400 gross-acre Rock Creek employment area.
Hillsboro Tanasbourne/AmberGlen Regional Center Implementation - $275,000
The City of Hillsboro is seeking $275,000 to fund the Tanasbourne/AmberGlen Regional Center project. The project will combine the Tanasbourne Town Center and AmberGlen Community plan areas and establish development implementation tools that will allow the areas to be successfully combined into a Regional Center that is consistent with the Metro 2040 Growth Concept and the Regional Framework Plan.
Hillsboro Old Town Hillsboro Refinement Plan - $90,000
The City of Hillsboro seeks to fund redevelopment planning in the vintage industrial neighborhood located southwest of its Downtown Regional Center. The neighborhood visioning completed as part of the recently adopted Downtown Framework Plan (DFP), envisions "Old Town Hillsboro" redeveloping as an "eclectic mix of residences, shopping and employment opportunities."
Lake Oswego Foothills District Framework Plan - $295,000
The Foothills District Framework Plan will produce a comprehensive redevelopment plan consistent with Metro 2040 goals. When complete, the plan will establish a new regulatory framework and comprehensive infrastructure strategy, accelerating redevelopment activity. This effort complements the current Portland/Lake Oswego Streetcar project, which will terminate in the 120-acre Foothills District.
Lake Oswego Funding Strategy to Implement the LGVC Plan - $50,000
The Village Center plan addresses the current and near term requirements of land use and transportation within the existing commercial area. The Funding Strategy Plan would identify and prioritize specific tasks, provide financial options and make recommendations on these options.
Milwaukie Town Center Urban Renewal Plan- $224,000
The purpose of this project is to establish funding mechanisms, appropriate land use plans, and development strategies to stimulate private investment in the Milwaukie Town Center. This will be achieved through: Preparation of an Urban Renewal Plan for adoption by the Milwaukie City Council; and targeted site-specific development planning.
Portland Portland-Milwaukie LRT Project: E-TOD Plan - $485,000
Development of an innovative employment based transit-oriented development (E-TOD) typology that encourages high job density and transit ridership around four LRT stations located in predominantly industrial neighborhoods. The project will first develop overall land use, economic development and transportation frameworks then specific implementation strategies for a successful E-TOD plan.
Portland Barbur Corridor Concept Plan - $700,000
Engage the community to create a Concept Plan for the corridor that: 1) Identifies potential transit station areas with the greatest development and placemaking opportunities; 2) Develops a vision for Barbur Boulevard, a highway "orphaned" when I-5 was built; and 3) Evaluates alternative transit station areas against watershed health goals and existing investment strategies.
Portland Foster Lents Integration Partnership - $250,000
Develop a strategic framework for green infrastructure investments in the Foster Corridor to realize thriving, transit-oriented, sustainable, 20 minute neighborhoods. The strategy will address green infrastructure, economic development, environmental stewardship, transit services, transportation infrastructure, and strategic redevelopment to catalyze private investments in the target areas. This strategy will identify constraints, opportunity sites, and realistic financial partners for redevelopment.
Portland Brownfield Redevelopment - $150,000
This study will assess market feasibility needs and actions to approach full redevelopment of Portland's brownfields in 25 years. It will include a brownfield inventory and conditions analysis, evaluation of financial feasibility gaps and other redevelopment barriers, estimate of public payback for expanding brownfield reinvestment, and recommendations for incremental implementation actions.
Portland South Waterfront: South Portland Partnership Plan - $250,000
This project will provide a comprehensive stakeholder process to refine the preferred design alternative for the South Portal Project, which will improve multi-modal access to the South Waterfront District. Refinement is necessary to reduce risks for area developers and allow progress on the Lake Oswego to Portland transit project.
Tualatin Southwest Urban Renewal Plan - $70,000
Tualatin is proposing to create an Urban Renewal Plan for the project area to develop a tax increment financing district. CET funding will be used to hire a consultant to conduct a feasibility study, create an urban renewal plan and consult with legal counsel who specialized in urban renewal law.
Tualatin Highway 99W Corridor Plan - $181,000
Prepare a land use plan for the Corridor that facilitates redevelopment of industrial, commercial and residential uses to achieve a vibrant corridor community, while balancing the conflicting demands of vehicular mobility and continuous-flow operation with pedestrian and bicycle safety and transit access in this future high capacity transit corridor.
Washington County Aloha-Reedville Study - $442,000
The Aloha-Reedville Study intends to examine the extent to which current circumstances, community aspirations and emerging urban service and planning opportunities provide options to fulfill Region 2040 objectives, while addressing local community issues. The project seeks to optimize the current development capacity of the study area by increasing capacity in corridors and centers by examining opportunities for public and private investment.
Related Links
Community planning and development grants
Metro's new grant program provides cities and counties with the planning resources necessary to prepare land for development and achieve the shared goals of the 2040 Growth Concept.