Category Archives: Residential Infill Project

Weekly Roundup: Willamette Blocks, Rocket Empire Machine, River District Navigation Center, and more

Posted on by
The Willamette Blocks proposal by developer Alamo Manhattan was presented to the Design Commission last week.

The Willamette Blocks proposal in South Waterfront (previously known as the Landing at Macadam) is facing a blacklash* from nearby residents, writes the Daily Journal of Commerce.

OPB covered the River District Navigation Center (previously known as the Oregon Harbor of Hope) which opened after the largest-ever single contribution to Portland and Multnomah County’s shelter system.

The Portland Tribune wrote about a work session on the Housing Opportunity Initiative—the combined package of the Residential Infill Project, Better Housing By Design and the Anti-Displacement Action Plan. Later in the year City Council will consider a plan to allow up sixplexes on lots currently zoned single family, if half of the units in the structure are affordable.

A new food hall and brewpub will open in Montavilla’s Rocket Empire Machine, writes Eater Portland.

The Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) has remanded the Central City 2035 Plan, over the issue of building heights allowed in Chinatown. In 2018 City Council settled on a 200′ height limit for parts of the district, replacing previous zoning that ranged from 100′ to 425′. Critics said that a 200′ height limit is too high. LUBA decided that the City did not adopt adequate findings to explain why 200′ complied with its adopted policies.

The Nature Conservancy showcases its mission with revamped Portland headquarters, writes the Portland Business Journal.

Portland Architecture considered height limits in the Pearl and Old Town, with the Hyatt Place and Allison Residences in mind.

The Oregonian reports that after “a brief reprieve, Portland-area rents are starting to tick up again.”

*This article will be unlocked for the rest of this week. After this week it will only be viewable by DJC subscribers.

Weekly Roundup: Residential Infill Project, Design Overlay Zone Assessment, Affordable Housing Bond and more

Posted on by

Residential Infill Project

The Residential Infill Project has released recommendations for changes to the zoning in Portland’s single family residential zones. One of the proposed changes is reduced the allowable height of flat roofs from 30′ to 25′.

The Portland Business Journal wrote that jazz club Jimmy Mak’s has found a new home, with an exterior courtyard. The Pearl District bar is relocating to make way for the Modera Davis apartment building.

The Business Tribune reported that work is beginning on the Design Overlay Zone Assessment project. As Portland gets ready to expand the number of areas covered by Design Review it has asked consultants to perform an independent, comprehensive assessment of the city’s design overlay zone.

Work is about to begin on the Broadway Tower, according to the Portland Business Journal. The 19 story tower will include a Radisson Red hotel and 175,000 sq ft of office space.

The Portland Business Journal had a look inside Stoel Rives’ “lofty new digs” at Park Avenue West.

KGW reported that demands for Portland’s core housing leaves suburbs slow to grow.

Details of the $258.4 million affordable housing bond that will be on the November ballot were published in the Portland Mercury.

Portland is seeking feedback on the Residential Infill Project, and is holding a series of open houses. An online open house will accept comments until August 15th 2015. A letter to the editor the Portland Chronicle was critical of the project, and argued that the City is “failing its promise to the majority of its citizens”.

Weekly Roundup: Oregonian Publishing Building, Old Town Block 33, 2035 Comprehensive Plan, and more

Posted on by

Centers and Corridors - 2035 Comprehensive Plan

The “Centers and Corridors” identified in the 2035 Comprehensive Plan. In the next 20 years City Planners anticipate that 50 percent of Portland’s growth will occur in the “Centers and Corridors”. 30 percent will occur in the Central City, with the remaining 20 percent of the growth happening in the rest of the city.

The DJC reported ($) on Urban Renaissance Group’s big plans for the Oregonian Publishing buildings at 817 SW 17th Ave. The redevelopment of the one and half blocks in Goose Hollow could include a full block residential tower by Mithun, with different options “ranging from 245 feet in 21 stories to 325 feet in 29 stories.” The half block parcel would developed as an eight story office building, 115′ in height, designed by GBD Architects.

The Portland Business Journal reported on a potentially “catalytic” development on Old Town Chinatown Block 33. Guardian Real Estate is planning a project with “up to 300 residential units, ground-floor retail and a new hotel”.

A proposed 1% Construction Excise Tax had a first reading at City Council, with all five City Commissioners indicated support for the proposal. The Portland Mercury reported that the biggest question was whether multifamily buildings should be treated as “residential” or “commercial” properties.

OPB reported that ground was broken on the OHSU Knight Cancer Research Building.

The Business Tribune covered the proposed changes to the Oregon Square development. A Pre-Application Conference was recently held, in advance of the submittal of a revised Design Review application.

The City Council approved the 2035 Comprehensive Plan, the 20 year growth plan that has been years in the making. Changes to City code will start coming into effect in 2018.

The Bureau of Planning & Sustainability has released the draft recommendations for the Residential Infill Project. OPB discussed what it could mean with two members of the Stakeholder Advisory Committee.

The Oregonian looked into how the Lloyd Center Remodel could help the mall recapture the hearts of Portlanders.