Looking to add some industrial heft to the Portland, Oregon region's economy, a recent study makes the case for the North Hillsboro Industrial Area to be built on what is currently farmland.
"Hillsboro officials want to classify nearly 1,000 acres of mostly undeveloped farmland and green fields on the city's north side as 'blighted'," reports Luke Hammill. "That would allow the city to designate the area as an urban renewal district, a tool Hillsboro's economic development team hopes to use to jumpstart large-scale industrial investment north of Evergreen Parkway and west of Brookwood Parkway."
Local officials, such as Hillsboro Economic Development Director Mark Clemon, argue that the development of the area with industrial uses is one of the best opportunities to improve the global standing of the Portland region's economy. A recent study (by consultants Johnson Economics and Communitas) into the feasibility of the "North Hillsboro Industrial Area," as it's called, reached a similar conclusion.
The catch, in addition to the loss of the agricultural land, is that the development would require infrastructure investments that would be funded by the urban renewal district. Such a district, reports Hammill, "could help finance $207 million worth of transportation, water and sewer improvements and lure as many as 17,000 jobs and $2 billion in annual payroll…"
With the funding and infrastructure enabled by the urban renewal district (also described in more detail by Hammill), the study targets "multiple large-acre high-tech users, one very large high-tech water and sewer user, and multiple smaller users in business park developments." The report also believes it has identified the factors necessary to identify the area in question as blight under state law.
FULL STORY: Declaring farmland 'blighted' would create urban renewal district in north Hillsboro

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions