Objective 3
Foster a Vibrant Central City and Commercial Districts
FINDINGS
The COVID-19 pandemic and associated economic downturn coupled with the worsening housing crisis along the West Coast have created a complex and uneven landscape of recovery for Portland’s Central City and commercial districts. Public safety issues and remote work have reduced the presence of employees and visitors, especially in the Central City. While office buildings sit empty, rising rents, chronic lack of housing, and inflation have contributed to the houselessness crisis. Portland’s 95 neighborhoods and 52 business districts have distinct and changing roles.
The actions here will identify and strengthen these roles, from retail and restaurant hubs to light industrial commercial districts, or more dense mixed-use residential housing districts – as well as their connection to the regional economy – to stimulate the flow of dollars in otherwise disinvested neighborhoods.
Implementation
Partners
Business Champers & Association Partners
City of Portland & Prosper Portland
Business District Partners
Higher Education Institutions
Real Estate & Construction Industry Partners
Regional & State Partners
Housing Partners
Outcomes and Actions
ONE
Increase Mixed Income Housing in Subdistricts with a Lack of Residential Use and Imbalanced Mix of Uses
1
Establish financial and regulatory tools to incent market delivery of office-to-residential conversion
2
Promote creation of new high-density, infill residential with mixed-income housing units through private development
Two
Retain and Increase Commercial Activity and Support Small Businesses in the Central City
1
Identify key locations and incentives for anchor business retention and recruitment
2
Support small businesses, retailers and restaurants and activation of ground floor commercial spaces in the Central City
3
Encourage employees and tenants to return to the office to work at least one day a week
4
Provide augmented districtwide services to support small businesses and retailers
5
Activate the Portland State University campus and surrounding commercial district by returning students and faculty to campus
THREE
Catalyze Public-Private Partnerships to Unlock Infill Development of Large Scale Mixed-Use, Mixed-Income Sites with High Transit Accessibility
1
Streamline regulatory processes
2
Create highly focused TIF districts to support infrastructure investments to unlock inclusive residential, commercial, and employment growth
3
Require an economic impact analysis of any proposed regulatory changes
FOUR
Attract More Visitors Through Events and Activation; Renovation of the Public Realm; and Support for Regional Cultural Organizations and Anchors
1
Establish cross-sector Events Office to enable, facilitate, and support events and activities within the Central City
2
Develop and implement a rebranding program to improve Portland’s reputation
3
Enhance and maintain the Central City as a centralized regional gathering spot
4
Activate public rights-of-way
FIVE
Support Growth and Health of Businesses Within Commercial Districts
1
Resource and grow business district capacity to provide support and stability to retailers and other small businesses
2
Tailor and market business assistance programs with a focus on bricks-and-mortar retail and restaurants
3
Identify and address significant regulatory and process barriers
4
Support retail and commercial tenants facing increasing market pressures and prevent displacement
SIX
Activate Vacant Properties and Storefronts with Community-Serving Businesses; Attract New Commercial Development
1
Encourage conversion of nuisance vacant ground-floor commercial into active uses
2
Leverage community-supported TIF investment and other financial resources to create a broad spectrum of commercial building spaces along Portland’s main streets
3
Strategically deploy an Affordable Commercial Tenanting program to support business opportunities and stabilization
4
Increase knowledge of energy efficiency and building energy management systems and incentives
5
Support pop-up opportunities and incent other short-term uses of vacant ground floor retail space
6
Identify and address existing regulatory requirements that are cost-prohibitive to retailers and property owners
seven
Improve Public Streets and Sidewalks in Select Districts to Support the Vitality of Business Districts
1
Create enhanced neighborhood connections and improve wayfinding between neighborhood greenway routes and commercial main streets
2
Require an impact analysis for larger scale infrastructure changes that may impact access for area businesses and engage early
3
Stabilize businesses and districts early and concurrent with long-range planning for regional scale, long-term transit, and land use growth
4
Provide technical and direct assistance to small businesses during disruptions due to infrastructure work and leverage large public infrastructure investments to support BIPOC-owned firms
EIGHT
Address Housing Production Across a Continuum of Affordability
1
Utilize community-supported TIF resources to stabilize community and invest in culturally supportive mixed-income housing production
2
Explore and expand production methods that can streamline and increase completion of workforce housing
3
Support implementation of the Residential Infill Project code changes to increase infill housing production
4
Reduce financial barriers for market and related inclusionary housing production and delivery
