Urban renewal mischief

Urban renewal is a scam. It "works" where it isn't needed (Ex. A: Pearl District), and fails where it is (Ex. B: Gateway).

The Central Eastside Urban Renewal Area was formed in 1986. Twenty years later, all we have to show for it is the Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade. One wag remarked that naming it after Katz was the only way to get her to visit Portland's Eastside.

Now, PDC is quietly attempting to extend the life of the Central Eastside Urban Renewal Area. The Commission voted 4-0 to extend the life another 8 years and bump the debt limit by another 34 percent.

But, this time we'll going to get a STREETCAR! Eastsiders have been pining for a streetcar ever since the Belmont trolleys stopped running decades ago. A STREETCAR! Just imagine all the transit oriented development we'll get. A STREETCAR! The increases in property taxes will pay for improvements many times over. A STREETCAR!

After 28 years of urban renewal, the Central Eastside will have a needle-strewn esplanade, some sort of mixed-use dealy at the Burnside Bridgehead, and a STREETCAR.

Hurry up, PDC. The next City Council may not be so amenable to urban renewal.