Plenty more where that came from
Although developer Mark Edlen may not get the taxpayers to finance the "net-zero" sustainability center ("net-zero" likely signifies the financial risk that Edlen would be taking), a smart reader points out that he's still got a Plan B -- The Barn. If it's as "green" as the other project, it will be appropriately named from an olfactory standpoint.
Anyway, The Barn, to be located in what is now Portland's Central Eastside Industrial District, would not be filled up with thriving private businesses. No, it would be haven for nonprofit groups. Surely many of them would be handing over government grant money to Edlen as rent.
They're already at the "charrette" stage, which is the signal for taxpayers to grab their wallets and hold on tight. We suggest that the planners take their time on this one, because if Vestas gets folded or sold, which seems more likely all the time, Edlen's going to have a fancy tax-subsidized building in the Pearl District that would be just right for some charitable tenants.
| Posted at 11:45 AM | Permalink |
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Comments (5)
"charrette" or charade?
Posted by clinamen | March 1, 2012 12:50 PM
I just hope the charrette leaders are properly trained. We wouldn't want one of these to be run by an untrained novice.
Posted by Bswede | March 1, 2012 1:26 PM
Non-profits are the robber barons of our age. Continuing growth of that enormous industry (which is what it become since the 1970's) is not sustainable. Tell them to put that in their cheroots and smoke them.
Posted by sally | March 1, 2012 1:46 PM
I just hope the charrette leaders are properly trained. We wouldn't want one of these to be run by an untrained novice.
Hell, I wouldn't want one run even by a trained novice.
Non-profits are the robber barons of our age.
Non-profits are the biggest scam going these days - about 70/30 by, uh, folks whose views I don't share. Abuse of this tax dodge is rampant.
Outside of Mother Teresa, I just don't buy the reality.
Posted by cc | March 1, 2012 2:50 PM
I can't find out exactly where this is to be located.
Also they have been busy since late last year on this. And from reading the infuriatingly vague press releases the whole thing screams scam to me. I also notice that only those who support this are welcome to attend any of the charade meetings. Any opposition will no doubt be dealt with in the usual way with expensive fire inspections, tax audits and the threatening of eminent domain claims by the PDC.
Posted by Portland Native | March 1, 2012 3:53 PM