Weekly Roundup: Construction Excise Tax, Modular Construction, High Rise High School and more

Posted on May 15, 2016 by nextportland

The parcel of land at SE 93rd & Woodstock that the PDC voted to sell this week (image: Portland Development Commission)

Lincoln High School could be rebuilt has an 8 story building, reported OPB. The project is one of the capital projects Portland Public Schools expects to put to the voters in November. If the project moves ahead as currently envisioned in the masterplan it would be the state’s first high-rise high school.

The Portland Development Commission board voted on Wednesday to sell a parcel of land at SE 93rd & Woodstock to Lisac Brothers Construction, reported the Portland Business Journal. The company intends to build a commercial building and a pavilion for a small food cart pod. A future phase of development, dependent on proposed Comprehensive Plan changes, would include a market-rate apartment building.

The Portland Chronicle reported on the NW 19th & Quimby apartments, which will replace an 1880 house and the Quimby’s At 19th bar.

The Portland Business Journal reported that the Dekum13 apartments went “from foundation to its full three-story height last week — in just two days”. The project is using modular units assembled in an Idaho factory, which were then craned into place to form a three story building.

The Portland Mercury noted that Charlie Hales’ proposed business license tax increased appeared dead this week. The City is however studying a Construction Excise Tax, which could raise $11 million a year in new revenues from commercial projects, and $3 million a year from residential projects.

Portland Architecture published a conversation with Ted Wheeler, who states that he is “a big fan of Bjarke Ingels’ work”.

Weekly Roundup: Bing Sheldon, Tesla Showroom, NE 106th & Halsey and more

Posted on May 8, 2016 by nextportland

The proposed development at NE 106th & Halsey by Human Solutions, Inc.

Bing Sheldon, founder of SERA Architects, passed away at the age of 81. Sheldon was known for his work in historic preservation and for leading the Portland Planning Commission during the 1970s.

A new Tesla Showroom is planned at 4330 SW Macadam, which is the location of one of the gaps in the Willamette Greenway trail. BikePortland reported that the level of development proposed by Tesla will not be enough to trigger zoning code requirements to install the trail. If the trail is not installed as part of the development, it could be decades before the trail is completed.

The Mid County Memo reported that Human Solutions, Inc has won exclusive rights to negotiate with the Portland Development Commission to build an affordable housing development at NE 106th & Halsey. Their proposal would include 40 affordable residential units and a new headquarters for the non-profit, adjacent to the future Gateway Discovery Park. The architects selected for the projects are Holst.

The Portland Tribune looked at the cost of Portland Housing Bureau funded affordable housing. The recently announced Super NOFA projects have price ranges of $110,000 to $321,000 per unit, which some believe to be too high.

Yet another company has announced that they will move into the recently completed Pearl West office building, reported the Portland Business Journal. Vermont based marketing firm Fuse LLC will base 10 staff in the in the Regus flexible office space.

Weekly Roundup: 72Foster, University of Portland residences, 1320 Broadway and more

Posted on May 1, 2016 by nextportland

5350 N Willamette Blvd by Soderstrom Architects

New student housing at the University of Portland, by Soderstrom Architects

Eater PDX wrote that restaurant Touché is “in a weird sort of limbo” as they wait for news about the fate of their building. The historic Firehouse #3 may be demolished to make way for a 12 story building at 505 NW 14th Ave.

The Daily Journal of Commerce published photos of an under construction residence hall at the University of Portland. The building at 5350 N Willamette Blvd by Soderstrom Architects will include “three above-grade floors of student living units, a ground-floor student worship space, student lounge, and office/retail space.”

The Foster Powell blog wrote about the 72Foster affordable housing development, which will include 108 housing units and commercial space lining SE Foster.

The Oregonian reported that Portland area rents rose 13 percent over the past year, however noted that “a wave of new construction slowed the price appreciation a little since the fall and caused the vacancy rate to tick upward.”

Mayor Hales has proposed an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan that would prohibit new drive throughs in the Central City and limit them elsewhere, reports the Willamette Week.

A Vancouver, WA have donated $12 million to OHSU, which will go towards the patient housing being built as part of the Center for Health and Healing South project.

An 86 year old funeral home may be demolished, reported the Portland Chronicle. The building is located at 20 NE 14th Ave, a site where the Bureau of Development Services recently received an Early Assistance application to discuss a six-story mixed-use building with 190 residential units.

Elemental Technologies will move their headquarters into the 1320 Broadway building. The building was formerly home to The Oregonian, and is currently in the middle of a major renovation.

Portland Architecture talked with Stuart Emmons, an architect who is running against incumbent Steve Novick for a seat on the Portland City Council.

Portland International Airport is reevaluating its $98 million Concourse E Expansion, according to The Oregonian. Portland based Horizon Air recently ordered 30 Embraer E175 jets, which can be board via jetbridges. The airport’s original expansion plan was designed for the Bombardier Q400 plans Horizon currently flies, which typically board from the ground.

KPTV reported that a demonstration was held by the group “Stop Demolishing Portland” outside 3336 SE Belmont, which is set to be redeveloped with a three story mixed use building.

Coworking and shared office company Regus opened a space in the Pearl West office building this week, according to the Portland Business Journal.

The St Francis Park Apartments received a $9.5 million loan from KeyBank, reported the Portland Business Journal. The Central Eastside building will include 106 units of affordable housing.

Thru Magazine wrote about a Design Week Portland panel discussion about the future of the Central Eastside. The event was hosted by Bora Architects, who showcased their Water Avenue Yards concept.

The PSU Vanguard reported that the Portland State Vikings celebrated a groundbreaking for the PSU Viking Pavilion ahead of their annual spring game.

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.'”