Weekly Roundup: Middle Middle Housing, Low Density Islands and more

Posted on April 24, 2016 by nextportland

Types of “missing middle” housing. Image by Daniel Parolek of Opticos Design.

Affordable housing developers and service providers are calling on the city to legalize the development of “missing middle” housing, according to Bike Portland. An amendment to the Comprehensive Plan that would make it possible to develop housing types such as duplexes, triplexes, internal home divisions and two-story garden apartments near designated centers is currently being debated by the City Council. The Portland Tribune reported that the amendment is facing opposition from groups such as the United Neighborhoods for Reform.

The Willamette Week reported that despite Portland’s push for new housing, the proposed Comprehensive Plan leaves islands of low density zoning along corridors such as inner Division, Hawthorne and Belmont.

The Business Tribune wrote about the “new vision for Lents”, including Oliver Station by Ankrom Moisan Architects. The mixed use development will replace the New Copper Penny bar, and will include 126 units of affordable housing and unit 19 units leased at market rates.

Grocery store Green Zebra opened its second store at Hassalo on Eighth, reported the Portland Business Journal.

Wacom has moved its North American headquarters from Vancouver, WA into the Pearl West office building. The Portland Business Journal published photos of their new space.

Portland Architecture published an interview with mayoral candidate Jules Bailey.

The Portland Housing Bureau announced the largest funding award in its history. $47 million will be allocated to eight affordable housing projects, including six new building with 585 units.

BikePortland wrote that the new Multnomah County Courthouse could include a raised bike lane at the approach to the Hawthorne Bridge.

The Portland Tribune wrote about the potential loss of Fire Station #3 in the Pearl, which could be torn down to make way for a 150 unit development at 505 NW 14th Ave.

Weekly Roundup: City Club on Affordability, High Demand for Office Space, Inclusionary Zoning and more

Posted on April 17, 2016 by nextportland

The Overland Warehouse, one of the many existing buildings being converted into creative office space in order to the satisfy high demand for inner Portland office space.

The Oregonian reported that the City Club of Portland released a report calling for “‘action now’ and more than just ‘half-measures and business as usual'” to deal with Portland’s housing crisis. The report recommended lifting the state ban on rent control, banning no-cause evictions and creating a rental property licensing system. The research committee split over whether Portland’s single family neighborhoods should become denser: the majority said that the city should “work to overcome neighborhood skepticism about ‘missing middle housing,'”; while a minority argued that the city should re-zone the single family neighborhoods for greater density.

Portland has started work on how to implement Inclusionary Zoning, according to the Willamette Week. An expert panel has been formed that includes Vivian Satterfield of OPAL PDX, Sarah Zahn of Gerding Edlen, Margaret Tallmadge of Coalition of Communities of Color, and Eric Cress of Urban Development + Partners.

The Business Tribune wrote about two projects that will change the face of inner E Burnside: the Jupiter Hotel Expansion; and 7th & Burnside.

Demand for office space in Portland is at record highs, reported The Oregonian. While there are a large number of office projects planned in Portland (as previously covered by Next Portland) many of these are a year or two away from completion.

Oregon Business profiled Jan Bredack, the German founder of ‘Veganz’. The vegan grocery chain is currently looking for locations for its first Portland store, including the under construction Yard building.

Weekly Roundup: Broadway Tower, Oliver Station, Touché Restaurant and more

Posted on April 3, 2016 by nextportland

The Broadway Tower, which will include a Radisson RED hotel

A 12 story residential development at 505 NW 14th Ave could involve the demolition of three buildings in the Pearl, including Fire Station #3, reported The Portland Chronicle. The building is currently home to Touché Restaurant & Bar.

The Oregonian reported that Radisson RED will be the hotel tenant for the 19 story Broadway Tower. The new brand doesn’t include front desks, and instead uses technology “to simplify the experience and provide efficiencies including keyless guest room entry.”

The Willamette Week reported that Palindrome Communities have closed on the purchase of the New Copper Penny nightclub in Lents. The purchase will allow Oliver Station to move ahead. The project will include approximately 126 affordable apartment units and 19 market rate units.

BikePortland wrote that average apartment building costs fell sharply during the period in which a large number of apartments without parking were being built. After the City Council added minimum parking requirements in 2013 construction costs rose again.

Following up on a previous article, Portland Architecture wrote about the selection process for the Multnomah County Courthouse and SRG Partnership’s design for the new building.

The Portland Business Journal wrote about how developers are betting more on bikes — and seeing big benefits.

Weekly Roundup: Knight Cancer Research Building, Zoom+, Overlook Restaurant and more

Posted on March 27, 2016 by nextportland

The OHSU Knight Cancer Research Building by SRG Partnership

The Portland Business Journal reported that Zoom+ will move its headquarters from Hillsboro into the Pearl West office building.

The Willamette Week asked “Has Portland City Hall Learned Its Lesson About Parking Spaces Raising Rents?”, in light of a proposal by the Bureau of Planning & Sustainability to add minimum parking requirement in the Northwest District.

The Oregonian wrote about Seattle Mayor Ed Murray’s Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda, which “may provide Portland a blueprint“.

After an Early Assistance request for a “proposed 5-story apartment building with underground parking” at 1332 N Skidmore, the Portland Mercury looked into whether the Overlook Restaurant might make way for redevelopment. According to the newspaper the development would include “248 units and 75 underground parking spaces, and [be] ‘anchored by a corner restaurant.'”

Writing in the Business Tribune, architecture journalist Brian Libby revealed that Multnomah County had failed to shortlist Pritzker Prize winning architect Rem Koolhaas for the Multnomah County Courthouse.

The Portland Business Journal published new images of the OHSU Knight Cancer Research Building. The university expects to break ground on the project in mid-June.

The 25,000 sq ft New Seasons University Park opened on Wednesday.

Weekly Roundup: Pearl East, Park Avenue West, Stagecraft Building and more

Posted on March 20, 2016 by nextportland

The Pearl East building at NW 13th and Glisan

Modern furniture retailer Design Within Reach will move into the Pearl’s newly renovated Stagecraft Building, according to the Portland Business Journal.

A new 6 story office building is planned for the corner of NE 13th Ave and Glisan St, reported the Portland Business Journal. The Mackenzie designed Pearl East building will include 67,000 sq ft of office and retail space.

The Oregonian published photos of the completed Park Avenue West tower. The building includes 15 floors of apartments, 13 floors of office space and 2 floors of retail space.

Salt and Straw revealed images of their new soft serve ice cream concept, Wiz Bang, which will open in the Pine Street Market on April 1st.

Weekly Roundup: Oregonian Publishing Buildings, Asian Health and Services Center, and more

Posted on March 13, 2016 by nextportland

Site plan by GBD Architects for the proposed redevelopment of the Oregonian Publishing Buildings in Goose Hollow

Seattle-based developer Urban Renaissance Group is interested in purchasing in the Oregonian Publishing Buildings at 817 SW 17th Ave, according to a story in The Oregonian. Working with GBD Architects, the developer is looking at a two block project that “would range from 86 feet to 160 feet in height”.

The Willamette Week reported that “Portland’s scorching-hot apartment rental market may finally be cooling down—at least at its upper reaches.” The recently completed Block 17 apartments are currently offering six weeks of free rent, in order to help fill the 166 vacant units in the 281 unit building.

The Oregonian wrote about how “big out-of-town money” is buying up Portland rentals.

The Planning and Sustainability Commission declined to recommend a proposal to add parking minimums for new development in the Northwest Plan District, reported Portland Shoupistas.

FamilyCare Health will contribute $2 million to the Asian Health and Services Center in Lents Town Center, according to a story in the Portland Business Journal.

An article in the Portland Tribune questioned whether the planned capacity of the PSU Viking Pavilion will be enough. Original plans for the project in 2012 were for a 5,000 seat facility. As now envisioned the arena will seat between 3,000 and 3,100.

The Hollywood Star News wrote about the City Council’s unanimous approval of the N/NE Neighborhood Housing Plan, a “five-year plan for investing an additional $20 million in tax increment financing funds from the Interstate Corridor Urban Renewal Area”.

Weekly Roundup: Inclusionary Zoning, Housing Affordability, Parking Minimums and more

Posted on March 6, 2016 by nextportland

The new location for the Post Office Processing & Distribution Center, formerly part of Colwood Golf Course. The site was rezoned to allow industrial uses in 2013. (Image: Portland Development Commission).

The Oregonian reported on a measure intended to “cut red tape for affordable housing”. Under temporary rules going before the City Council this week buildings in the Central and Gateway plan districts, with at least 5 units of affordable housing, will no longer have go before the Design Commission. The projects will instead by reviewed through a Type IIx Design Review, where the initial decision is made by Bureau of Development Services staff. Unless extended, the new code will last until October 6th.

BikePortland wrote that as the repeal of Oregon’s ban on Inclusionary Zoning heads to Kate Brown’s desk, “the fight for affordable proximity moves to City Hall“. Representatives for Mayor Hales Commissioner Saltzman told BikePortland that proposals to implement Inclusionary Zoning in Portland are currently being worked on.

Portland Shoupistas argued that “minimum parking requirements can neutralize inclusionary zoning”. A proposal to add new minimum parking requirements in Northwest Portland is set to go before the Planning & Sustainability Commission on Tuesday.

As reported here on Tuesday, a building permit is currently under review for a project at 5816 SE Foster Rd. The Foster Powell blog asked “Could Multi-unit Housing on Foster Help Maintain Affordability?”

The Portland Mercury reported on a proposal to move the Kevin J. Duckworth Memorial Dock, currently located adjacent to the Eastbank Esplanade, to a new site on Swan Island adjacent to the new Daimler Trucks North America Headquarters.

The City will pay $34.7 million to acquire land near the airport, in order to allow the Post Office Redevelopment in the Pearl to move ahead, wrote The Oregonian. The price is substantially more than the fair market value, which PDC Director Quinton told the paper “is in the ‘$17 to $20 million range.'”

Weekly Roundup: PSU Smith Student Union, A La Carts, Rheinlander restaurant and more

Posted on February 28, 2016 by nextportland

Concept for a renovated PSU Smith Student Union. Should the project move ahead architects will oarde selected to develop a final design.

Portland Architecture wrote an extended summary of the Restore Oregon hosted mayoral debate, where candidates discussed housing, density and preservation.

In article titled “Gatekeepers of Portland character” KGW wrote about the Portland Design Commission, who are responsible for reviewing all major developments in the Central City.

The Oregonian reported on the approval of 4th and Harrison, which neighbors believe is in error. The approved building has a floor area ratio (FAR) of almost 9:1, achieved through a combination of the 6:1 base FAR for the site and 3:1 in bonuses. While the applicants and City staff believe that the site is eligible for bonuses, neighborhoods contend that it isn’t, and that any building on the site should have an FAR of no more than 6:1.

A bill that would allow local governments to implement Inclusionary Zoning has passed the Oregon Senate, reported The Oregonian. The bill will now heads to the House, where it is likely to pass.

The Hollywood Star News asked if the Rheinlander building on NE Sandy is to bite der dust? An Early Assistance application was recently received by the City for the site at 5035 NE Sandy Blvd, indicating that the restaurant site could be redeveloped into a mixed use building of 2 to 4 stories.

The Multnomah County Health Department Headquarters will be named after Gladys McCoy. According to the Willamette Week McCoy was “the first black member of the Portland school board, the first black member of the Multnomah County Board and the first black chair of that board.”

The Willamette Week reported that the A La Carts food cart pod has closed. The site at 4926 SE Division St is set to be redeveloped by Urban Development Group, who are planning a mixed use building with a branch of the Green Zebra grocery chain at the ground floor.

A transcript of a recent American Assets Trust earning call indicated that the company is “currently evaluating various alternatives” for how to move ahead with Oregon Square. Leases at the existing office buildings on the site are being allowed to expire in order to allow the site to be redeveloped. Stating that they do not wish to “act in haste, repent at leisure”, CEO and Chairman of the AAT Board of Directors Ernest Rady stated that they are “looking at every opportunity, including some office, including some apartments, including phasing it and we are now working on examining each of those alternatives. It is a real opportunity and we want to make sure we make the most of it.” A decision on how to move forward is expected by September.

Portland State University students will this April vote in a referendum over whether to increase student fees in order to finance a major renovation of the Smith Memorial Student Union, writes the PSU Vanguard. Two possible solutions include a $65 million renovation and a $90 million renovation.

Kaiser Permanente will open a clinic in the Pearl District, in one of the retail spaces in the Cosmopolitan on the Park tower. Kaiser told that the Portland Business Journal that the clinic will offer “convenient access for routine everyday care and minor health issues.”

The Portland Chronicle published photos of Otak Architects’ under construction Cook Street Lofts on N Vancouver Avenue. The site noted that this project and adjacent project The Woods will “bring 154 units to the block previously home to three single-family dwellings”.

Weekly Roundup: Framework, Park Avenue West, Block 75 Phase II and more

Posted on February 21, 2016 by nextportland

The 12 story Framework building by Lever Architecture, planned for a site as NW 11th & Glisan in the Pearl

The 12 story Framework building by Lever Architecture, planned for a site at NW 10th & Glisan in the Pearl

In an article titled “Wooden Buildings as Strong as Steel” Newsweek wrote about how Portland is leading the nation in the adoption of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT). The article includes quotes from Ben Kaiser of PATH, architect and developer of Carbon12, and Thomas Robinson of Lever who is the architect for Framework in the Pearl and Albina Yard.

An article and photo gallery in the Portland Business Journal showed how CLT is made. Riddle-based D.R. Johnson Lumber Co is currently the only domestic lumber mill certified as capable of producing the wood panels.

The Portland Business Journal covered Block 75 Phase II, the next high-rise building planned for the Burnside Bridgehead. The Works Partnership designed building is the latest partnership between Beam Development and Urban Development + Partners.

The Oregonian noted that a Travel Portland found that hotel prices have soared since 2010. The rising rates have led to a hotel construction boom, as Next Portland covered last year.

Construction is underway on the expansion of the SERA designed NW Portland International Hostel. In a story about the project KGW wrote that the hostel is trying “to keep up with the booming tourism in the Rose City”.

The Portland City Council approved a realignment to the route of the proposed extension of SW Bond between the Tilikum Crossing and SW River Parkway. The extension, which will begin construction this year, allows OHSU projects including the Knight Cancer Research Building to move head.

The first residential tenants are moving into Park Avenue West, reported the Portland Business Journal. The TVA Architects designed building is now the fourth tallest building in Portland.

The Portland Development Commission is increasing its contribution to projects in Lents by $6.3 million, according to the Portland Business Journal. The projects include the Asian Health and Services Center by Holst Architecture, Oliver Station by Ankrom Moisan Architects and 9101 SE Foster Rd by Hacker Architects. The developers behind Oliver Station have gained control of the Chevron station at SE 92nd and Foster, enabling the project to occupy the full block.

Commissioner Steve Novick wrote about an idea that is rapidly gaining traction as a way to bring affordability back to Portland’s neighborhoods. “Missing middle housing” is new term for old styles of development, currently prohibited in most of Portland, at a density between that of single family detached houses and large mid-rise apartment buildings. These include housing types such as rowhomes, courtyard apartments, triplexes, built to the same height and scale as single-family homes.

A post at Portland Shoupistas asked if the PDC’s $26 million garage at the Convention Center Hotel will be a money maker or a money loser. Though planned as revenue generator, the post points out that “just to break even, this garage will need to generate more than $12 per space every day of every year for 20 years, starting in 2020.”

KOIN reported that “Ivy Island may not be ‘gateway’ to St. Johns for long“. A street vacation in the St Johns neighborhood was approved this week. The vacation will allow the mixed use Union at St Johns building by Jones Architecture to move ahead, while creating a safer road layout.

Weekly Roundup: Ankeny Blocks, relocation of Jimmy Mak’s, closure of Sewick’s and more

Posted on February 8, 2016 by nextportland

Concept image for the Ankeny Blocks in Downtown

Goodman family controlled Downtown Development Group released a concept for the Ankeny Blocks, an ambitious $1.5 billion redevelopment of 11 surface parking lots between the Morrison and Burnside Bridges. According to the story in The Oregonian the intent is to “enter into long-term land lease agreements with developers and investors once an agreement for a project is reached.”

Jazz club Jimmy Mak’s will be relocating to make way for an 11-14 story residential development at 205 NW 11th Ave, reported the Willamette Week. A Design Advice Request hearing for the SERA-designed project is currently scheduled for March 17th.

Also in the Willamette Week was the news that Sewick’s bar on SE Hawthorne will close on Sunday January 31st. The building at 4917 SE Hawthorne Blvd will be torn down by Urban Development Group to make way for a 46 unit apartment building.

The Portland Chronicle wrote about the pending demolition of a commercial building at 1015 NW 16th Ave, set to be replaced by a 153 unit by WDC Properties. The currently vacant property was home to live music venue Slabtown until it closed in 2014.

The Portland Business Journal interviewed Robert Barton, CFO of American Assets Trust. The company recently completed the GBD Architects designed Hassalo on Eighth development, and is currently working on Oregon Square follow up project.

The Oregonian wrote that Royale Brewing will open a new bar named the Garrison in the Two/Thirds development. The St Johns retail, office, and residential project by Guerrilla Development will also include a second location of The Sudra vegetarian restaurant.

Tech company GuideSpark will lease the entire two floors of office space above the Pine Street Market, according to The Portland Business Journal.