August 02, 2003
City Council Moves Towards South Waterfront Housing Compromise
Thursday afternoon, the City Council held its final public hearing on the South Waterfront development project, due for a final round of votes by the Council and the Portland Development Commissioner later this month. Continuing my work at the bookstore, I didn't manage to make it to this hearing, so I'll just throw out a few pointers here.
First, The Oregonian reports on the hearing and the compromise plan, intended to boost the percentages of affordable housing and blunt criticisms that South Waterfront will be a publicly-funded enclave for the rich.
Friday's Portland Tribune carried two commentaries on South Waterfront (and related riverfront developments). The first arguing that the City's so-called River Renaissance "embodies the notion that environmental enhancement, economic development, recreation and exciting urban development are equally important and can build off one another." And the second asserting that the River Renaissance is a "worthless moniker" intended to "create the pretense that subsidies to waterfront landowners would benefit the river environment."
Meanwhile, Wednesday's edition of Willamette Week profiled real-estate developed Homer Williams and his plan for the South Waterfront (nee North Macadam) development.
Under normal posting conditions, I'd have at least some small something to say on all of this, but this is a weekend of trying to play catch-up with items for which I've not had time this week. So mere pointers will have to suffice.