Despite a contractual obligation, Hoyt Street Properties under-built 258 affordable housing units in Portland's Pearl District. The city has to react.
Portland's Pearl District brought promise of housing Portlanders of all incomes in its 34 acre transformative development. A major developer in the district, Hoyt Street Properties, churned out nearly 2,000 apartments and condos within 17 years. So far though, only 30 percent (and not 35 percent) of the units are classified as affordable housing, and with the building of another three complexes in the pipeline, that number will be reduced to 28 percent.
As reported by Brad Schmidt of The Oregonian, despite "knowing for months about the shortfall and a quickly approaching Sept. 8 deadline to exercise its purchase option, officials with the city have taken no documented steps to force Hoyt Street to sell land for modestly priced housing."
Schmidt spoke with Traci Manning, director of the Portland Housing Bureau, who said that the city is working to get the "best information" before deciding how to react. She said regardless of how Hoyt Street's affordability record is measured, "it will be close to target."
Pearl District Revitalization Now Includes Kids
A new affordable housing development going up in Portland's dense Pearl District will include a public school on the ground floor.
Portland Proposal Would Suspend Development Fees to Spur Housing Construction
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek and Portland Mayor Keith Wilson announced their policy plan Thursday, with the goal to jumpstart housing construction.
Rising Insurance Rates Squeezing Affordable Housing Developers
Spiking insurance costs in coastal areas prone to climate disasters are making it harder for low-income housing developers to keep building.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Trump Approves Futuristic Automated Texas-Mexico Cargo Corridor
The project could remove tens of thousands of commercial trucks from roadways.
Austin's First Single Stair Apartment Building is Officially Underway
Eliminating the requirement for two staircases in multi-story residential buildings lets developers use smaller lots and more flexible designs to create denser housing.
Atlanta Bus System Redesign Will Nearly Triple Access
MARTA's Next Gen Bus Network will retool over 100 bus routes, expand frequent service.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)