1. Urban Renewal: Hood River Heights Business District
Two Meetings:
October 19- Provide Information/Gain Initial Feedback
November 9 – Gain public input on project priorities

2. Background on Urban Renewal
Q and A
Hood River Heights Urban Renewal Plan and
The Art of the Possible – Types of Projects

3. Things to take away from this meeting
No new taxes with urban renewal
General understanding of the goals of the Plan and what types of projects can be done.
The Heights Urban Renewal District is primed for project implementation.
We want you to come to the November 9th meeting to help establish project priorities.

4. From Oak Street to Eliot Street along the 12th and 13th Corridor

5. What is Urban Renewal? No new taxes! Tax rate does not change!
Program to improve communities
Used throughout Oregon
Provides Financing Mechanism to Implement City Plans:
Uses increases in Property Taxes to Fund Projects in Area
Leverages public dollars to spur private investment

7. How is Urban Renewal Administered?
A city must establish an urban renewal agency prior to adoption of an UR Plan
Hood River Urban Renewal Advisory Committee
Hood River Urban Renewal Agency – City Council and two Port of Hood River members
Hood River City Council

8. How Urban Renewal Works

9. What is Maximum Indebtedness
MI is the total amount of funds to be spent on projects, programs and administration in an urban renewal area.
Maximum Indebtedness of Heights:
$8,495,650
State Street Project = $5,301,868

10. Impacts on Hood River Taxing Jurisdictions
Continue Receiving Taxes on Frozen Base
Forego taxes on growth in Area
Increased Tax Revenues After UR
Indirect impact on School District and ESD

11. Questions?

12. Hood River Heights Goals
Goal 1: ECONOMY
Diversify the economic base in the Hood River area.
Strengthen the area’s role as a regional economic center.
Preserve and promote a livable community, better utilizing commercial and mixed use and residential lands.
Accommodate the need for expansion of new and existing businesses and housing to support those businesses.
Possible Projects:
Economic Development
Infrastructure Improvements
Housing Development

13. Goal 2: DISTRICT IDENTITY
Create and enhance a distinct identity for the Area as
a mixed use neighborhood.
Gateway to the city
Place for residents of the city to live, shop for goods
and services, work and play.
Possible Projects: Streetscape Improvements
Public Spaces/Parks
Connections to local parks/greenspaces
Signage

14. Possible Projects: Public Spaces/Parks
Goal 3: RECREATION
Provide facilities and parks to support the Heights Business District and neighboring residential community.
Possible Projects: Public Spaces/Parks
Connections to local parks/greenspaces

15. Goal 4: TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION
Implement transportation improvements that enhance Hood River’s livability.
Provide a safe transportation system
Provide facilities that are accessible to all members of the community.
Reduce trip length.
Provide for the efficient movement of goods.
Possible Projects:
Streetscape Improvements
Parking

17. Goal 5: PUBLIC UTILITIES
Ensure adequate infrastructure is available for new development.
Possible Projects: Utilities/Undergrounding of utilities

18. Goal 6: PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
Maintain a program that allows citizens to be involved in all phases of the planning and implementation process.

19. Goal 7: HOUSING
Diversify the supply of housing
Strengthen the Area’s role as a residential neighborhood.
Preserve and promote a livable community, better utilizing commercial, mixed use and residential lands.
Accommodate the need for development of long-term housing (rental and ownership) at affordable and other income levels
Possible Projects: Assist in the development of housing, including affordable housing, in the Area

20. Types of Initial Projects
District Identity/Streetscape Improvements
Pedestrian and bicycle improvements
Enhance connections with local parks and greenspaces
Public spaces for community events
Redevelopment Assistance
Housing Assistance
Infrastructure Improvements
Undergrounding of utilities where economically feasible
Parking improvements
Property Acquisition

21. State Street Project - $5,301,868
8-block renewal project included complete reconstruction of all underground utilities, streets, sidewalks and curbs.
Newly designed restroom facilities,
New community biking hub, tree planters and benches,
Larger and higher-visibility pedestrian walkways and crosswalks
Integrated art and sculpture spaces,
Better drainage and utility routing, and
Over 600 linear feet of custom-engineered retaining walls which provided additional building spaces above State Street

22. Hood River State Street

23. Hood River State Street

24. Estacada Streetscape
Estacada
Elaine Howard Consulting, LLC

25. Elaine Howard Consulting, LLC

26. Elaine Howard Consulting, LLC

27. Elaine Howard Consulting, LLC

28. Elaine Howard Consulting, LLC

29. Lake Oswego B Street
Elaine Howard Consulting, LLC

30. Redmond Streetscape
Elaine Howard Consulting, LLC

31. Wayfinding Pendleton, Sherwood Elaine Howard Consulting, LLC

32. Signage
Elaine Howard Consulting, LLC

33. Parks, Plazas, Plantings, Benches
Elaine Howard Consulting, LLC

34. Parks
Sherwood
Elaine Howard Consulting, LLC

35. Elaine Howard Consulting, LLC

37. Tillamook Festival Street

39. Parking for Commercial District: Tillamook
Total Project Construction Costs $110,845.14
Land Acquisition $304,082
Total project costs $414, Tillamook UR Agency
Elaine Howard Consulting, LLC

40. LO angle parking/ Hood River angled parking

41. Sisters Streetscape

42. Lake Oswego Parking

43. Storefront Loans/Redevelopment: Coos Bay
Elaine Howard Consulting, LLC

44. Astoria: Fort George Brewery and Pub
Historic building re-constructed in 1923, remodeled over 80 years later in 2006
Urban Renewal provided:
Low interest loan for $120,039 with an 8-year
maturity date
Storefront Improvement Grant of $30,000
Leverage:
SBA Loan
State of Oregon (forgivable loan)
The remodel highlights the original architecture of the building, featuring old-growth beams and hand-forged fasteners, a variety of wood furniture, and re-used metal décor, which pays homage to the buildings industrial roots.
LOAN: The loan covered architectural and engineering fees, deck construction, utilities upgrades, and building repair and repainting
GRANT: The grant was $20,000 for repairing and repainting the exterior of the building, $10,000 for the removal of the old auto repair sign and equipment.
Leverage:
Small Business Loan
Forgivable loan: loan will be forgiven if the business creates 12 new jobs
Elaine Howard Consulting, LLC

45. Sandy Double Dragon
Double Dragon in Sandy

46. Sandy:
Sandy Glass
Sandy Glass

47. Next Meeting: November 9 Hood River Fire Station
Questions?
Next Meeting: November 9
Hood River Fire Station