Char-Lie would "study" urban renewal
One of the easiest developer sluts ever to grace Portland City Hall has actually got the gall to try to solicit votes from the people who are fed up with the constant abuse of "urban renewal" in Portland. Mayoral candidate Char-Lie Hales -- who started the city on its current self-destructive path with one "urban renewal" scam after another, then quit the City Council to make a living selling streetcars -- now has this:
In an interview Thursday, Hales -- who's up against state Rep. Jefferson Smith in the November general election -- said his approach to Portland's long-standing practice of using urban-renewal zones to jumpstart redevelopment in targeted areas of the city would include:-- Studying the 11 (and soon to be 12) existing urban-renewal zones and "sunsetting successful districts or reducing their borrowing limits so we can support local services and look at other areas needing economic development who haven't yet received their fair share."
-- And reexamining the legal mechanism that allows urban-renewal zones to divert property-tax revenue from voter-approved levies and bonds to the Portland Development Commission.
Hales argues urban renewal is still a valid tool but that city officials need to show more restraint when using it. Otherwise, voters could insist elected officials abandon the strategy altogether, he said.
"I don't want to go there," Hales, a former city commissioner, said. "I want this tool to be available."
Remember when Fireman Randy bragged in his campaign ads that he was "standing up to Pearl District developers"? What a joke that turned out to be. This is a classic mindscrew by Hales and his political Svengali, Mark Wiener. If you want to know what Hales will do with "urban renewal," everything you need to know is here.
And O reporter Beth Slovic: "using urban-renewal zones to jumpstart redevelopment"? Are you trying for a desk next to Matt Brown?
| Posted at 1:01 PM | Permalink |
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Comments (8)
Jack:
If you really feel the need to do a meaningful investigation of possible fraudulent residency claims...try Charlie Hales. I'll guess there must be many fraudulent documents and web trails exposing HIM as a fraud.
And if you really feel ambitious, try taking on the residency claims of a certain Senator from NY...I mean OREGON.
Posted by ltjd | July 20, 2012 1:38 PM
Hales argues urban renewal is still a valid tool but that city officials need to show more restraint when using it.
The key here is the term - more restraint - what does that mean to someone like Charlie?
"I want this tool to be available."
Of course he does.
Clever Charlie!!
Posted by clinamen | July 20, 2012 2:07 PM
"Char-Lie would" say anything he needs to get elected.
Why anyone would believe the packs of fabulizers we have leading or wanting to lead us is amazing.
Posted by Steve | July 20, 2012 2:28 PM
Char-LIE's Camas, Washington residential and Washington state tax returns have already been publicized, but the state AG has done nothing! to stop him, and neither has any other legal authority.
Posted by portland native | July 20, 2012 3:22 PM
In my opinion, those who want Hales in that Mayoral seat are those
who do not know about this guy and believe what he says and those
who do know about this guy and are more than willing to give him a pass.
I think we have a history here of knowing how that has turned out
with our current Mayor, a pass for perks!
Posted by clinamen | July 20, 2012 10:15 PM
Hales-NO! wanting to keep the tool available but with more restraint.
As in - we are going broke fast, so we have to reel in the largesse just a bit.
That could lead to an interesting bidding war on to whom he will bestow favors.
OK all you developers, get your backdoor grease ready - CharLIE is open for business.
Posted by tim | July 21, 2012 12:34 PM
Could we be so lucky in that the Portland City of Developers is coming to a slower grind?
Don't believe a word coming out of CharLIE!
The developers may have to take second seat here "just" for awhile until Charlie decides another adjustment is needed. All hand in hand taking turns here. And Leonard endorses Jefferson! The "run around game" here is insidious. We are so screwed!
Posted by clinamen | July 22, 2012 12:06 PM
Definition of "restraint":
There's no way a Streetcar can serve (an East Portland LID), therefore we need to be judicious and not implement that LID.
(A northwest Portland or inner-east Portland) LID would be ideal for pushing our brand of Streetcar transit services and is an excellent example of the success a LID can bring to our growing compact city.
Posted by Erik H. | July 22, 2012 9:35 PM