Banish satellite idea to outer space

This editorial from The Oregonian is dead on, the concept of satellite urban renewal districts should be rejected by the City Council. The satellite concept is a fundamental change to the urban renewal concept, and its a change for the worse.

The basic concept of urban renewal is to take an underutilized area and turn it into a highly productive one producing much higher property tax revenues due to the increased property value. The Pearl is a prime example of this, changing from rundown warehouses and train yards into a vibrant neighborhood. That success continues as development moves north.

The satellite district changes that model from creating a radical change in a defined area to addressing single projects. Single projects don't achieve the goals of greatly increased property tax revenues which will benefit the entire city.

Then there is the question of why David Douglas over all the other school districts or even other projects. One can only guess the reason is political motives of city council members. Portland Public Schools wasn't consulted about where the money should be used. In fact it appears that no one was consulted and council members backing the satellite concept selected David Douglas.

When Sten started talking about the project its was the David Douglas Satellite district. But when presented to the City Council it was separated into two proposals, urban renewal satellite districts and the David Douglas satellite district. This was to make it politically more palatable, leaving the supposed opportunity to approve satellite districts but reject the David Douglas project.

The concept of satellite districts was ill conceived, even the city attorney questions their legality, and the David Douglas proposal was selected from political motives without even discussing it with Portland Public Schools. Everything about the satellite districts stinks and they should be rejected.

Read the full editorial here...