Metro Councilors and staff faced tough questions Tuesday from a generally friendly Multnomah County Board of Commissioners in discussing a recent report issued by Metro's chief operating officer, Michael Jordan. The county pressed Metro on using urban renewal areas to invest in existing infrastructure and communities.
"Although I absolutely love this vision, I think it's really important that we not think urban renewal is an easy tool," said Commissioner Jeff Cogen, who represents North and Northeast Portland on the county commission.
"It is the tool we are most familiar with," responded Jordan, who also acknowledged the fiscal strain the county is facing. Relying on urban renewal areas currently is necessary because "the public finance system in Oregon is broken." He also said Metro's model doesn't look at unintended consequences of urban renewal areas diminishing local government's revenues.
Jordan, along with Metro Councilors Rex Burkholder and Robert Liberty, met with the board Tuesday to discuss Jordan's report, "Making the Greatest Place: Strategies for a sustainable and prosperous region." The report encourages channeling most growth into the existing urban growth boundary, investing in repairing and maintaining existing buildings and infrastructure, and holding Metro and its local government partners accountable for the goals they put in place for themselves and the region.
In response to the board's concerns about urban renewal, Councilor Burkholder added that the region really needs an extensive and collaborative public investment strategy. "Urban renewal is just a place-holder," he said.
Councilor Liberty urged the board to have its auditor look at the long-term benefits of urban renewal districts. He also said Metro and other area governments need to be looking at issues of equity as they begin investing in existing communities.
"Do we need to balance the burdens and benefits a little better than we have in the past?" Liberty asked rhetorically.
That comment prompted Commissioner Judy Shiprack to raise concerns about how Multnomah County could continue to provide services for the population increase that Metro expects. She said funding public services should be part of the planning process.
"We have a really worthy goal by the end of this exercise as long as we address issues such as Multnomah County being able to provide services associated with growth," Shiprack said.
Commissioner Deborah Kafoury also said Metro must address the need for affordable housing for people coming to the Portland area. When Councilor Liberty referred Kafoury to page 314 of the urban growth report which addresses affordability of housing and transportation costs, Kafoury quipped, "High priority, I can tell."
At the meeting, Jordan stressed investment strategies, hoping to steer future growth away from future urban reserves and toward enhancing existing communities inside the urban growth boundary. He said expanding the urban growth boundary in hopes of attracting new residents and businesses often creates more problems than it solves.
"Moving the boundary doesn't get you out of the financial challenge you may face," Jordan said. "In fact it may exacerbate the challenge."
Despite the questioning, the board offered praise for Metro staff's efforts and support for Metro's goals.
"This is tremendous work," said Board Chair Ted Wheeler, echoing sentiments expressed by the other board members present.
– by Sean Breslin, Metro staff