A so-called Innovative District (aka: Urban Renewal Area) could possibly land downtown after Southwest Portland is thought to be on the verge of collapse. About 130 acres on the southern edge of downtown, bordered by Southwest Jefferson and Columbia streets on the north, Park and 13th avenues on the west, Interstate 405 on the south and First Avenue on the east — are being primed for redevelopment through a complex tax-increment finance system that would spur growth in the area.
Urban renewal is a state-authorized program designed to help communities improve and redevelop areas that are physically deteriorated, suffering economic stagnation, unsafe or poorly planned.
The area around Portland State University (PSU) has been devastated over the past decade — seeing a decline in crime along with the constant growth of Portland State University.
One of the rougher neighborhoods in Portland also connects with the area — the infamous South Waterfront neighborhood where Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) is housed.
It’s also thought that the Portland Art Museum, along the Oregon Historical Society — which passed a $12 million life-saving levy this year, is being overrun with blight.
“I can’t even bring my kids down here anymore,” says one tourist.
A resident that lives in the blighted area says that it’s hard to imagine it getting any worse.
The City of Portland, the Portland Development Commission and other business leaders are thought to have chosen the location that will receive millions of dollars, because the rest of the city is holding its own.
Meanwhile, residents in East Portland are saying that they are hoping to be annexed in the near future, and to have their name changed to East Berlin after getting screwed over every year since 1851.
Not to be outdone, Gresham is asking the county to rename its city — “East of Eden.”
The City of Portland is hoping that by offering the assistance to the area that people will one day be able to enjoy the area without feeling overwhelmed with blight and urban decay.
“I’m just hoping that one day the Art Musuem actually creates a world-class venue that doesn’t charge an arm and a leg for its blighted art collection,” says one resident.
A spokesperson for the PDC says it has three decades worth of history that shows how much it has helped poor communities throughout the city, and is excited to get to work on the new project.
“We’re just chomping at the bit,” says officials with PSU and OHSU. “We can hardly breathe down here. Maybe after all this is said and done, the business community and the universities can stop saying Portland is anti-business. It’s a stretch, but anything is possible. We’re hoping for the best.”
.Note: SR writes a satirical edition of the paper each April 1.