I guess my definition of "core downtown area" must differ - I think that's very much part of the core downtown area, and one in desperate need of help (just not funded by taxpayers).

O.k., western "core." What I mean is, by slapping more high-end retail here, you preclude having it located in the four-block radius around Pioneer Courthouse, which is what I think of as the "core."

I am not getting this thing with hotels. I know someon who works for a major hotel chain locating properties and Portland is at the very bottom of his list since it is over-populated with high-end hotels.

Then there is the CC hotel which Portland had to bribe by floating a bond, promising to pay 1/2 the debt service if it doesn't make enough profit, not charging it property taxes AND giving the hotel all of the room taxes.

What exactly does it take to get these planner types into the real world?

Municipal bankruptcy, which is coming in another decade or two...

There you go again. Jack, you are such a realist!

This new site is close to Powell's, certainly an important retailer. Vinopolis, a great new wine shop, is also nearby. Retail is pretty fluid, and locating in the West End is certainly different --and better-- than locating in one of Beaverton's malls.

Popular places come and go. Remember the Galleria? Yamhill Market? The old Fred Meyer that used to be where Pioneer Palace (excuse me, Pioneer Place) is?

The condo issue...another thing altogether.

You didn't read the story close enough.

Both Greg Goodman, scion of the Goodman family's property management company, and Edlen have met with city commissioners to solicit their support for the project and to gauge their openness to a tax abatement, commissioners have said.

What Happens When a City Goes Bankrupt?

The PERB's 500/hr law firm has experience from Orange County. (And San Diego too.)

There is nothing that can't be bonded, even a liability . . . to raise funds to invest in affordable hosing (sp?).

But the DA could just demand the undoing of lots-o-stuff long before we even need to mention bankruptcy.

The latest chapter in the continuing feud between City Attorney Michael Aguirre and the City Council unfolded yesterday during an unusual, four-hour discussion with law experts about how much power the city attorney has.

The power to clean-house is alternatively called a duty; at least for the DA.

New-leadership can look back five years for criminal action. Replacing the DA would be an outstanding start.

Both Greg Goodman, scion of the Goodman family's property management company, and Edlen have met with city commissioners to solicit their support for the project and to gauge their openness to a tax abatement, commissioners have said.

Of course they want it. But it's yet to be seen wherther they'll get it. Just say no, Randy! Portland will do just fine without more of the same high-rise junk. If the market won't bear it, don't build it!

Posted by Jack Bog at October 17, 2005:
Municipal bankruptcy, which is coming in another decade or two...
JK:
Do you really think it will take that long?

Thanks
JK

Interesting that a project like this would have any ability to apply for any tax abatement.

This just demonstrates, again, the out of whack
system we have.

While this building could posssibly gain multi million dollar gift countless others get nothing.

Seems like I heard something recently about a judge addressing some unequal treatment of some kind.

Of course it had nothing to do with this sort of
"equality" 8-)

We're sinking into condomonium.

"John Doussard, a spokesman for Mayor Tom Potter, said Friday that developers had told the mayor's office they would not be applying for the tax break"

I don't see any compelling reason they would get one...

Jack said
"O.k., western "core." What I mean is, by slapping more high-end retail here, you preclude having it located in the four-block radius around Pioneer Courthouse, which is what I think of as the "core."

didn't you read, after years of sitting mostly vacant the Galleria landed a major retail tenant to anchor that part of downtown...

Hey, at least The O today starting paying attention to my side of town. Let's hear it for my outer eastside, where people pushed out by condos go! Nothing like being the "other Portland" that doesn't exist to the Greg Goodmans and other powers that be.