The Clackamas County Economic Development Commission devoted an hour of its Aug. 25 meeting to a presentation by Metro COO Michael Jordan on his recommendations for development of a Community Investment Strategy. This strategy aims to leverage public investments in sewers, sidewalks, parks, plazas and other basic public structures more effectively to achieve greater private investment in town and regional centers, corridors and employment areas that could serve future growth.
Jordan cited urban renewal districts as a current example of “a more intimate relationship between public and private capital” and suggested that this type of relationship between local governments and the development community is necessary to achieve results on the ground. Citing his past experience as a city manager and county commissioner who was approached by developers with proposals for new developments, Jordan said, “I was sick and tired of sitting down with an interested developer and having nothing to bring to the table but a code book.” He emphasized the need for local governments to have greater resources—primarily money—to encourage the market to build the kinds of facilities that its citizens want.
Jordan’s comments were well-received by the Economic Development Commission members. Clackamas County Commissioner Ann Lininger expressed support for greater private sector involvement in developing a regional strategy for community investments, but questioned whether having private sector leaders recommending investments would negate the role of elected officials who are held accountable for the use of public funds. Jordan noted that elected officials would have to be involved in raising and spending any new funds.
In addition to the concept of a Community Investment Strategy, Jordan also discussed his recommendations for a small expansion of the urban growth boundary south of Hillsboro to accommodate anticipated need for new housing units, as well as a proposed expansion north of Hillsboro to provide enough sites of 50 acres or more for industrial employment.