Downtown Waterfront
North Old Town/Chinatown Redevelopment Strategy
The Portland Development Commission (PDC) is undertaking a market analysis and urban design and planning effort to prepare a strategy for future redevelopment in the North Old Town/Chinatown area of the Downtown Waterfront Urban Renewal Area. A redevelopment strategy with broad-based community support, including a cohesive vision for the future and clear direction on how and when to proceed, is necessary to guide public investment in the area.
PDC staff and the DAO Architecture urban design consultant team is working closely with a Stakeholder Advisory Group and the Old Town/Chinatown community to assess the unique history, strengths, challenges and opportunities, and seek ways to enhance redevelopment planning in the area. The North Old Town/Chinatown Redevelopment Strategy (Strategy) is comprised of two phases:
- Phase I — provide direction on the short-term strategy for the Study Area by focusing primarily on the proposed Blanchet House expansion and its impact on the feasibility of future redevelopment of Block 25.
- Phase II — further refine the overall vision for the Study Area and develop a mid-to-long term implementation strategy.
Click the map image to view a high-quality map (PDF format).
The “Blanchet House/Dirty Duck Block” (Block 25, bounded by NW Glisan, NW Flanders, NW 3rd and NW 4th), located at the center of the Study Area, is owned in-part by PDC and the City of Portland.
This block and the two blocks located directly to the east (Block 24) and south (Block 26) will be the primary focus of the Strategy.
Potential opportunity sites surrounding these blocks will also be taken into consideration.
The Study Area includes a number of factors to be considered, including:
- Proposed Blanchet House expansion
- NW Natural parking needs (Blocks 24 & 25)
- Need for active and safe pedestrian street environment
- Poor street level environment due to NW Glisan approach to Steel Bridge, inactive storefronts, and lack of building façade connectivity due to surface parking lots at street level
- Potential synergy with 3rd & 4th Avenue Streetscape project, including Festival Streets on NW Flanders and NW Davis
- Desire for cohesiveness and compatibility of uses and buildings
- Potential to strengthen connections and view corridors with waterfront
- Close proximity to 5th & 6th Avenue bus mall, light rail expansion, and Union Station
- The boundaries of the New Chinatown/Japan Historic District and historic properties within the area
- Historical, Arts and Cultural character of the area
- Desire to strengthen identity of a northern gateway to Old Town/Chinatown, and the gateway to downtown from the Steel Bridge
- Need for compatible uses surrounding the Classical Chinese Garden
Overall, the Strategy will help stimulate and guide revitalization in the area by providing:
- Direction on the appropriate and feasible location for the proposed Blanchet House expansion;
- An in-depth analysis of the existing and emerging markets for residential and commercial (retail, office, hotel, etc) development;
- A clear and cohesive redevelopment vision for the Study Area that integrates policy/zoning direction with the desires and needs of Old Town/Chinatown’s existing and future residents, businesses, property owners, and social service providers.
- A time-bound strategy with broad community support for implementing the redevelopment concept. The strategy will provide direction on whether the market is ready to maximize the development potential in the area, and direction on the timing and nature of PDC investment to stimulate revitalization of the area.
Stakeholder Advisory Committee
The Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC) consists of community stakeholders that will meet during the project to participate and contribute on the work of the project team. Specifically, SAC members will be asked to:
- Provide input to the PDC and project team on which site is most feasible for the redevelopment of the Blanchet House.
- Review Economic/Market Analysis of Housing and Commercial (including Retail) uses for the study area and provide feedback to the project team.
- Discuss the Real Estate Development, Land Use Planning and Urban Design principles for the Study Area with the project team.
- Participate in committee meetings and charrette to develop a vision and redevelopment strategy.
- Doreen Binder, Transitions Projects Inc
- John Case, Property Owner Representative
- Brian Ferschweiler, Blanchet House
- Patrick Gortmaker, Old Town/Chinatown Land Use Committee
- Richard Harris, Central City Concern
- Blaine Hoggard, Property Owner Representative
- Betty Jean Lee, Chinese American Citizens Alliance
- Gloria Lee, Classical Chinese Garden
- Louis Lee, Property Owner Representative
- Richard Louie, Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association
- Tim McCarron, Property Owner Representative
- Carol McCreary, Resident
- June Schumann, Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center
- Carly Riter, Portland Business Alliance
- Steve Walti, Northwest Natural
- Stephen Ying, Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, Chinese American Citizens Alliance, Bing Kung Association and Portland Chinese School Board
The meetings of the SAC are open to the public.
Consultant Team
The DAO Architecture and Urban Design consultant team consists of the following:
- David Horsley, Joann Dao Le (DAO Architecture, LLC):
Real Estate Development, Land Use Planning, Urban Design - Eric Hovee, Tess Jordan (E.D. Hovee & Associates, LLC):
Market & Financial Feasibility - Clark Worth, Kathy Fong Stevens (Barney & Worth, LLC):
Public Participation - Rick Williams (Rick Williams Consulting):
Parking Requirements and Economics - Jim Mann: Construction Cost Estimating
Project Team
- Peter Englander, Downtown/Waterfront Development Manager
- Sarah Harpole, NOTCT Project Coordinator
- Karen Perl Fox, NOTCT Housing Coordinator
Project Library
» Strategy
» Background Materials
» Redevelopment Charrette and Public Open House
» Resource Access Center Siting
» Stakeholder Advisory Group
Strategy
Background Materials
The Strategy shall build on previously completed strategic planning
and analytical work, including:
- Central City Urban Renewal Study, 2004
- Old Town/Chinatown Development Plan, 1999
- Old Town/Chinatown Vision Plan, 1997
- Old Town/Chinatown Vision/Development Plan Update, 2003
- The 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness in Portland and Multnomah County
- No Net Loss/Preservation Policy
- Old Town/Chinatown 3rd & 4th Avenue Streetscape Project
Redevelopment Charrette and Public Open House
- Charrette Agenda - Day 1
- Charrette Agenda - Day 2
- Charrette Study Area Map
- Charrette Urban Design Concepts
- Background Materials
Resource Access Center Siting
Stakeholder Advisory Group — Agenda, Minutes & Meeting Materials
- Meeting #8, August 5, 2008
- Meeting #7, June 26, 2008
- Meeting #6, April 10, 2008
- Meeting #4, April 9, 2007
- Meeting #3, January 23, 2007
- Meeting #2, November 14, 2006
- Kickoff Meeting, October 17, 2006
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