pearl district news...
April 30,2008
Undoing of a vision
by shooter
Yesterday's Portland Tribune had a really interesting article about the proposed Con-Way development in Northwest Portland. It raises questions about how these projects get done. Con-Way chose to go public with its concept for developing its 20 acres, and has met resistance from the Northwest neighborhood. Homer Williams claims that going public first is a mistake, that agreements need to be in place before going to the public. That strategy, however, smacks of back room deals and a lack of transparency. Peter Finley Fry complains that neighborhood associations have too much power and that "We artificially empower mediocrity". I'm not even sure what to make of that belief. It sounds like Mr. Finley believes neighborhoods should butt out of development plans.
As one who is involved in my neighborhood, I think transparency is important and think that Con-Way took the right approach. Involvement of the neighborhood is crucial for a development such as the Con-Way proposal. That is a significant change in that neighborhood and there will be people who don't want it. Working with them from the beginning can strike a balance with Con-Way's right to develop their property and the neighborhoods desire to not radically change its character.
I think the Con-Way concept is good, others will no doubt disagree. More importantly I appreciate Con-Way going to the neighborhood early in the process. I believe that will result in a development that the neighborhood can embrace (or at least tolerate).
No doubt someone will ask "what about the back room deals that helped create the Pearl". They were made long before I lived here, there's nothing I can do about them. While I may not like them, I think the Pearl is successful and will continue to be as the North Pearl is developed. We have a very active and strong planning committee in our neighborhood association which exerts real influence on the development. The process is more open now. It's not just land use announcements, we learn in advance about proposed changes in FARs, land swap deals trading land for parks to gain other concessions for developers. The opportunity for input and to influence the development exists. Am I always happy with the results, no, but I have the opportunity to participate in a meaningful way. That is what Con-Way is providing the Northwest neighborhood.
Read the Portland Tribune's story, it's well worth the full read.
As one who is involved in my neighborhood, I think transparency is important and think that Con-Way took the right approach. Involvement of the neighborhood is crucial for a development such as the Con-Way proposal. That is a significant change in that neighborhood and there will be people who don't want it. Working with them from the beginning can strike a balance with Con-Way's right to develop their property and the neighborhoods desire to not radically change its character.
I think the Con-Way concept is good, others will no doubt disagree. More importantly I appreciate Con-Way going to the neighborhood early in the process. I believe that will result in a development that the neighborhood can embrace (or at least tolerate).
No doubt someone will ask "what about the back room deals that helped create the Pearl". They were made long before I lived here, there's nothing I can do about them. While I may not like them, I think the Pearl is successful and will continue to be as the North Pearl is developed. We have a very active and strong planning committee in our neighborhood association which exerts real influence on the development. The process is more open now. It's not just land use announcements, we learn in advance about proposed changes in FARs, land swap deals trading land for parks to gain other concessions for developers. The opportunity for input and to influence the development exists. Am I always happy with the results, no, but I have the opportunity to participate in a meaningful way. That is what Con-Way is providing the Northwest neighborhood.
Read the Portland Tribune's story, it's well worth the full read.
posted at 05:26 AM
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pearl district
Neighborhood Association
Board Meetings
6pm, 2nd Thursday of each month
Pacific Northwest College of Art
1241 NW Johnson St.
Committee Meetings
Planning
1st & 3rd Tuesdays
Board Meetings
6pm, 2nd Thursday of each month
Pacific Northwest College of Art
1241 NW Johnson St.
Committee Meetings
Planning
1st & 3rd Tuesdays
6pm, PNCA
1241 NW Johnson St.
Transportation Sub-Committee
Transportation Sub-Committee
2nd Thursday of every month
3:30pm, Ecotrust
721 NW 9th Ave.
Livability
3rd Thursday of every month
(except June, July & August)
6pm, Umpqua Bank
6pm, Umpqua Bank
1139 NW Lovejoy
Communications
Last Tuesday of every month
6pm, Umpqua Bank
Last Tuesday of every month
6pm, Umpqua Bank
