Burnside Bridgehead is now on semi-permanent hold as the PDC [Portland Development Commission] commissioners unanimously decided NOT to renew the Memorandum of Understanding with Opus NW to construct the project.
I confess it came as a bit of a shock to all of us who showed up today for the proceedings. No one from Opus bothered to attend. It was all a done deal last night, apparently. The PDC staff story is that "after careful consideration of the market trends and the economic downturns the project is just not viable at this time and the PDC staff recommend not renewing the MOU," etc., etc. We can all draw our own conclusions as to the real reason why.
The demolition of the Cascade Plaza and the other buildings will proceed and the site will be prepared to be "shovel ready" for a prospective tenant sometime in the future, but at least two years away. In the meantime, the PDC wants to plant some grass and wants to use the site as a temporary park; it was suggested a dog walk area, which may help to keep the undesirables away and prevent tent camping. (Yes, that was actually suggested!)
You can catch it all on some cable channel or other if you dare.
Several folks I spoke with saw the blog and liked the name suggestions, as did I. Thanks for spreading the word.
This project was cursed from the moment the old PDC administration decided it was going to force down the public's throat a concept, and then a contractor, that it didn't want. Now that we're back at Square 1, let's hope something more responsive to the real needs and desires of the neighboring residents and businesses will emerge.
And if someone could please put the kibosh on the folly of the "couplet"...
With Central City Concern largely or completely bailing on its building across the street, the whole area is ripe for something new. If the traffic "couplet" goes in, though, one would think that it's going to be every bit as pedestrian-unfriendly a place as it is now -- maybe even worse.
I think the Bridgehead should be renamed PediCab Station, to serve as an incubator for human powered transit alternatives. given the proximity to the river, it could also serve as a launch zone for the world's first bicycle ferry service, assuming that MultCo will (eventually) let all the bridges fall into disrepair.
Bruce Warner is such a sap. It's amazing that he can actually say the things he does.
ANY causal look at the PDC operations like SoWa, by anyone who's familiar with their budgets and Urban Renewal, shows clearly the mammoth recklessness of his agency. It's almost as if he and the PDC are meth heads pilfering the family resources to feed their habit.
Warner has absolutely no regard for either the public's dime or city services depending on it's prudent use.
And without a single elected official in sight showing even the slightest sign of concern or scrutiny Warner can say and do anything he wants.
I have no doubt Sam Adams is a regular
entry in Warner's schedule.
With the real estate market in the tank, and private development in a shock all over the city, I am SHOCKED about this development. And I blame it entirely on PDC -- PDC is to blame for the downturn in the real estate market, and I believe that all of its commissioners need to be appropriately skewered!
Regardless of who had been chosen to develop this, it would still be a problem right now.
If you're thinking Burnside Bridgehead, simultaneously think of 12th and Morrison. It's just sitting vacant. Because (IMHO), sometimes letting property sit is the best market decision.
without a single elected official in sight showing even the slightest sign of concern or scrutiny
Actually, Sten has been calling a lot of the shots the last year or two, and he will continue to do so up to the very moment he mysteriously leaves office.
A park, albeit temporary, will be a vast improvement over the broken asphalt and barbed wire fence that sits there currently. Disregarding all of the recriminations for why this went wrong, I hope that the land will be given over to some use that is at least nominally beneficial to the public for the TWO PLUS YEARS that it's likely to sit vacant now.
As the City official who started this whole thing (sort of) by tearing down the half finished office building that was on the site in the early 1990's, I have been following this mess for years.
In PDC's defense Vera stuck them with this site when they didn't want it and it has been a mess ever since. Someone ought to come to their senses and just put it up for sale. Of course then a private developer and not the neighbors get to decide what goes in there. But that is probably for the best. My personal prediction is that it will be a Wal-Mart.
How wasteful to demolish buildings just to create an empty space that won't be used for anything at all for at least 2 years. Watch that 2 become five or more. Those buildings should be used, not destroyed.
PG, if a property's highest and best use is new construction/development, and there's a building on it that needs to be demolished, I think it improves the value to do the demolition, so that a prospective purchaser is not having to deal with that. One admittedly recent example to the contrary, though, is the Grand Central Bowl building -- they could have torn it down, but didn't (thank god).
With the real estate market in the tank, and private development in a shock all over the city, I am SHOCKED about this development.
This project was approved nearly three years ago, when the market was fine. But it was the wrong project, with the wrong developer, even then. Vera Katz's PDC people (all good Goldschmidt puppets) blew it big time. At least the current PDC board had the good sense to pull the plug.
This location is a Plaid Pantry, the Morrison Street Grill, the Cigarette Shop & Save, and some sort of kickboxing etc. gym. So, I don't think this is what you meant to mention.
FYI...just a bit more.
The folks in the CES are delighted that the OPUS period is behind us and we can move on. Already community leaders and activits are working together to use this space to the benefit of everyone for the short term, and try and get another project gong that will work for the community and for the city as a whole for the long term.
The emails are hot and heavy tonight with ideas and goals for the future.
PG, if a property's highest and best use is new construction/development, and there's a building on it that needs to be demolished, I think it improves the value to do the demolition...
Man, I wouldn't lash myself quite so securely to the mast of a sinking ship.
Unless I was gettin' paid for it.
...not to imply anything of that nature, of course...
Sell it to the highest bidder (no subsidies required), send the proceeds to Multnomah County, Attn: Ted Wheeler with a short note:
Ted,
Here's our first contribution for a new Sellwood Bridge. In light of the desperate condition of the existing Sellwood Bridge (and the fact my friends and family drive over it daily), the PDC has agreed to give you $50 million in unencumbered funds (they're selling off surplus property!!!), with four provisos:
1. MultCo. puts up a $50 million surety bond in advance.
2. The new bridge must include 4 traffic lanes minimum, with no vehicle restrictions.
3. The new bridge must open no later than June 30, 2011.
4. If the new bridge is not open by June 30, 2011, you must agree to forfeit $200,000 for each day of delay, up to a maximum of $50 million dollars.
Charamba, Douro 2008
Horse Heaven Hills, Cabernet 2010
Lorelle, Horse Heaven Hills Pinot Grigio 2011
Avignonesi, Montepulciano 2004
Lorelle, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2011
Villa Antinori, Toscana 2007
Mercedes Eguren, Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Lorelle, Columbia Valley Cabernet 2011
Purple Moon, Merlot 2011
Purple Moon, Chardonnnay 2011
Abacela, Vintner's Blend No. 12
Opula Red Blend 2010
Liberte, Pinot Noir 2010
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Indian Wells Red Blend 2010
Woodbridge, Chardonnay 2011
King Estate, Pinot Noir 2011
Famille Perrin, Cotes du Rhone Villages 2010
Columbia Crest, Les Chevaux Red 2010
14 Hands, Hot to Trot White Blend
Familia Bianchi, Malbec 2009
Terrapin Cellars, Pinot Gris 2011
Columbia Crest, Walter Clore Private Reserve 2009
Campo Viejo, Rioja, Termpranillo 2010
Ravenswood, Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Quinta das Amoras, Vinho Tinto 2010
Waterbrook, Reserve Merlot 2009
Lorelle, Horse Heaven Hills, Pinot Grigio 2011
Tarantas, Rose
Chateau Lajarre, Bordeaux 2009
La Vielle Ferme, Rose 2011
Benvolio, Pinot Grigio 2011
Nobilo Icon, Pinot Noir 2009
Lello, Douro Tinto 2009
Quinson Fils, Cotes de Provence Rose 2011
Anindor, Pinot Gris 2010
Buenas Ondas, Syrah Rose 2010
Les Fiefs d'Anglars, Malbec 2009
14 Hands, Pinot Gris 2011
Conundrum 2012
Condes de Albarei, Albariño 2011
Columbia Crest, Walter Clore Private Reserve 2007
Penelope Sanchez, Garnacha Syrah 2010
Canoe Ridge, Merlot 2007
Atalaya do Mar, Godello 2010
Vega Montan, Mencia
Benvolio, Pinot Grigio
Nobilo Icon, Pinot Noir, Marlborough 2009
Portuga, Rose 2011
Revelation, Chardonnay, Pays d'Oc 2010
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 2005
Monte Alto, Tinto Reserva 2005
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Cabernet, Indian Wells 2009
Espiral, Vinho Rose
Vin-Koru, Pinot Gris 2011
14 Hands, Hot to Trot Red 2009
Rodney Strong, Cabernet, Sonoma 2009
Abacela, Vintner's Blend #11
Portuga, White 2010
La Bourgeoisie, Red 2009
Januik, Red 2009
Three Rivers, River's Red 2008
Kirkland, Alexander Valley Merlot 2008
Muga, Rioja Rose 2010
Quinta das Amoras, Vinho Tinto 2009
Mauro Molino, Barbera d'Alba 2009
Garda Chiaretto Rose
Columbia Crest, Two Vines Vineyard 10 White
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley 2009
L'Hortus, Rose de Saignee 2010
Maculan, Pino & Toi 2008
McKinley Springs, Bombing Range Red 2008
Trader Joe's Pinot Gris 2009
Montes Alpha, Cabernet 2007
Gran Sasso, Sangiovese, Terre di Chieti 2009
Garda, Classico Chiaretto Rose
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 1999
Picos del Montgo, Tempranillo 2008
Chateau de Montmirail, Vacqueyras 2008
La Granja 360, Syrah 2009
Montgras, Carmenere Reserva 2009
Lange, Pinot Gris 2009
Columbia Crest, Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet 2008
Kirkland, Pinot Grigio 2010
Trader Joe's Coastal Syrah 2009
Columbia Crest, Horse Heaven Hills Merlot 2008
Trader Joe's Coastal Chardonnay 2009
Vieux Papes Red
Domaine de l'Aujardiere, Chardonnay 2009
Santa Rita, Cabernet, Medalla Real 2007
Penfold's, Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2008
Guild, Red, Lot #02 2008
Dievole, Dievolino Sangiovese 2008
Laforet, Burgogne Chardonnay 2009
Columbia Winery, Merlot 2007
Bonterra, Cabernet 2008
Elk Cove, Pinot Gris 2009
Maquis Lien 2006
Scott Paul, Pinot Noir, Le Paulee 2007
The Occasional Book
Hope Larson - A Wrinkle in Time, the Graphic Novel
Rudyard Kipling - Kim
Peter Ames Carlin - Bruce
Fran Cannon Slayton - When the Whistle Blows
Neil Young - Waging Heavy Peace
Mark Bego - Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul (2012 ed.)
Jenny Lawson - Let's Pretend This Never Happened
J.D. Salinger - Franny and Zooey
Charles Dickens - A Christmas Carol
Timothy Egan - The Big Burn
Deborah Eisenberg - Transactions in a Foreign Currency
Kurt Vonnegut Jr. - Slaughterhouse Five
Kathryn Lance - Pandora's Genes
Cheryl Strayed - Wild
Fyodor Dostoyevsky - The Brothers Karamazov
Jack London - The House of Pride, and Other Tales of Hawaii
Jack Walker - The Extraordinary Rendition of Vincent Dellamaria
Colum McCann - Let the Great World Spin
Niccolò Machiavelli - The Prince
Harper Lee - To Kill a Mockingbird
Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus - The Nanny Diaries
Brian Selznick - The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Sharon Creech - Walk Two Moons
Keith Richards - Life
F. Sionil Jose - Dusk
Natalie Babbitt - Tuck Everlasting
Justin Halpern - S#*t My Dad Says
Mark Herrmann - The Curmudgeon's Guide to Practicing Law
Barry Glassner - The Gospel of Food
Phil Stanford - The Peyton-Allan Files
Jesse Katz - The Opposite Field
Evelyn Waugh - Brideshead Revisited
J.K. Rowling - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
David Sedaris - Holidays on Ice
Donald Miller - A Million Miles in a Thousand Years
Mitch Albom - Have a Little Faith
C.S. Lewis - The Magician's Nephew
F. Scott Fitzgerald - The Great Gatsby
William Shakespeare - A Midsummer Night's Dream
Ivan Doig - Bucking the Sun
Penda Diakité - I Lost My Tooth in Africa
Grace Lin - The Year of the Rat
Oscar Hijuelos - Mr. Ives' Christmas
Madeline L'Engle - A Wrinkle in Time
Steven Hart - The Last Three Miles
David Sedaris - Me Talk Pretty One Day
Karen Armstrong - The Spiral Staircase
Charles Larson - The Portland Murders
Adrian Wojnarowski - The Miracle of St. Anthony
William H. Colby - Long Goodbye
Steven D. Stark - Meet the Beatles
Phil Stanford - Portland Confidential
Rick Moody - Garden State
Jonathan Schwartz - All in Good Time
David Sedaris - Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
Anthony Holden - Big Deal
Robert J. Spitzer - The Spirit of Leadership
James McManus - Positively Fifth Street
Jeff Noon - Vurt
Road Work
Miles run year to date: 29
At this date last year: 66
Total run in 2012: 129
In 2011: 113
In 2010: 125
In 2009: 67
In 2008: 28
In 2007: 113
In 2006: 100
In 2005: 149
In 2004: 204
In 2003: 269
I confess it came as a bit of a shock to all of us who showed up today for the proceedings. No one from Opus bothered to attend. It was all a done deal last night, apparently. The PDC staff story is that "after careful consideration of the market trends and the economic downturns the project is just not viable at this time and the PDC staff recommend not renewing the MOU," etc., etc. We can all draw our own conclusions as to the real reason why.
Comments (22)
it was suggested a dog walk area,
How appropriate.
Posted by Lc Scott | February 27, 2008 10:40 PM
Bwuh?
*blink*
Huh.
Posted by b!X | February 27, 2008 10:42 PM
I guess the only way that side of Burnside gets developed will be with the addition of a trolly or tram or something...
Posted by Chris McMullen | February 27, 2008 11:57 PM
With Central City Concern largely or completely bailing on its building across the street, the whole area is ripe for something new. If the traffic "couplet" goes in, though, one would think that it's going to be every bit as pedestrian-unfriendly a place as it is now -- maybe even worse.
Posted by Jack Bog | February 28, 2008 12:03 AM
Trams and trolleys are passe.
Human power is the only energy we'll have left after Global Darkness kicks in, and PediCabs, the thinking man's Rickshaw, is READY TO ROLL!
I think the Bridgehead should be renamed PediCab Station, to serve as an incubator for human powered transit alternatives. given the proximity to the river, it could also serve as a launch zone for the world's first bicycle ferry service, assuming that MultCo will (eventually) let all the bridges fall into disrepair.
Posted by Mister Tee | February 28, 2008 6:32 AM
b!x You sum it up perfectly; you always get it right!
Posted by portland native | February 28, 2008 7:28 AM
Bruce Warner is such a sap. It's amazing that he can actually say the things he does.
ANY causal look at the PDC operations like SoWa, by anyone who's familiar with their budgets and Urban Renewal, shows clearly the mammoth recklessness of his agency. It's almost as if he and the PDC are meth heads pilfering the family resources to feed their habit.
Warner has absolutely no regard for either the public's dime or city services depending on it's prudent use.
And without a single elected official in sight showing even the slightest sign of concern or scrutiny Warner can say and do anything he wants.
I have no doubt Sam Adams is a regular
entry in Warner's schedule.
Posted by Al | February 28, 2008 8:11 AM
With the real estate market in the tank, and private development in a shock all over the city, I am SHOCKED about this development. And I blame it entirely on PDC -- PDC is to blame for the downturn in the real estate market, and I believe that all of its commissioners need to be appropriately skewered!
Regardless of who had been chosen to develop this, it would still be a problem right now.
If you're thinking Burnside Bridgehead, simultaneously think of 12th and Morrison. It's just sitting vacant. Because (IMHO), sometimes letting property sit is the best market decision.
Posted by Jonathan Radmacher | February 28, 2008 9:56 AM
without a single elected official in sight showing even the slightest sign of concern or scrutiny
Actually, Sten has been calling a lot of the shots the last year or two, and he will continue to do so up to the very moment he mysteriously leaves office.
Posted by Jack Bog | February 28, 2008 12:32 PM
A park, albeit temporary, will be a vast improvement over the broken asphalt and barbed wire fence that sits there currently. Disregarding all of the recriminations for why this went wrong, I hope that the land will be given over to some use that is at least nominally beneficial to the public for the TWO PLUS YEARS that it's likely to sit vacant now.
Posted by DR | February 28, 2008 1:17 PM
As the City official who started this whole thing (sort of) by tearing down the half finished office building that was on the site in the early 1990's, I have been following this mess for years.
In PDC's defense Vera stuck them with this site when they didn't want it and it has been a mess ever since. Someone ought to come to their senses and just put it up for sale. Of course then a private developer and not the neighbors get to decide what goes in there. But that is probably for the best. My personal prediction is that it will be a Wal-Mart.
Greg C
Posted by Greg C | February 28, 2008 1:18 PM
How wasteful to demolish buildings just to create an empty space that won't be used for anything at all for at least 2 years. Watch that 2 become five or more. Those buildings should be used, not destroyed.
Posted by PG | February 28, 2008 2:48 PM
PG, if a property's highest and best use is new construction/development, and there's a building on it that needs to be demolished, I think it improves the value to do the demolition, so that a prospective purchaser is not having to deal with that. One admittedly recent example to the contrary, though, is the Grand Central Bowl building -- they could have torn it down, but didn't (thank god).
Posted by Jonathan Radmacher | February 28, 2008 3:45 PM
With the real estate market in the tank, and private development in a shock all over the city, I am SHOCKED about this development.
This project was approved nearly three years ago, when the market was fine. But it was the wrong project, with the wrong developer, even then. Vera Katz's PDC people (all good Goldschmidt puppets) blew it big time. At least the current PDC board had the good sense to pull the plug.
Posted by Jack Bog | February 28, 2008 4:00 PM
12th and Morrison
This location is a Plaid Pantry, the Morrison Street Grill, the Cigarette Shop & Save, and some sort of kickboxing etc. gym. So, I don't think this is what you meant to mention.
Posted by b!X | February 28, 2008 7:02 PM
Er, aren't there two 12th-&-Morrison's?
Posted by Jack Bog | February 28, 2008 8:35 PM
I beleive the writer is refering to the old Monte Carlo block on SE 11 at Morrison.
Posted by portland native | February 28, 2008 9:08 PM
FYI...just a bit more.
The folks in the CES are delighted that the OPUS period is behind us and we can move on. Already community leaders and activits are working together to use this space to the benefit of everyone for the short term, and try and get another project gong that will work for the community and for the city as a whole for the long term.
The emails are hot and heavy tonight with ideas and goals for the future.
Posted by portland native | February 28, 2008 9:20 PM
PG, if a property's highest and best use is new construction/development, and there's a building on it that needs to be demolished, I think it improves the value to do the demolition...
Man, I wouldn't lash myself quite so securely to the mast of a sinking ship.
Unless I was gettin' paid for it.
...not to imply anything of that nature, of course...
Posted by cc | February 28, 2008 9:38 PM
Where's Mr. Bean? Where ready for Portland's first bike centric development. More bikes = clean air. Clean air = healthy and happy people.
Posted by Mister Tree | February 28, 2008 11:24 PM
Sell it to the highest bidder (no subsidies required), send the proceeds to Multnomah County, Attn: Ted Wheeler with a short note:
Ted,
Here's our first contribution for a new Sellwood Bridge. In light of the desperate condition of the existing Sellwood Bridge (and the fact my friends and family drive over it daily), the PDC has agreed to give you $50 million in unencumbered funds (they're selling off surplus property!!!), with four provisos:
1. MultCo. puts up a $50 million surety bond in advance.
2. The new bridge must include 4 traffic lanes minimum, with no vehicle restrictions.
3. The new bridge must open no later than June 30, 2011.
4. If the new bridge is not open by June 30, 2011, you must agree to forfeit $200,000 for each day of delay, up to a maximum of $50 million dollars.
Standard form of contract.
Problem solved.
Posted by Mister Tee | February 28, 2008 11:47 PM
Stop all new rail transit.
Audit the PDC, TriMet and Metro
Posted by Howard | February 29, 2008 7:38 AM