Now that there are four—FOUR!—races out of the five spots in city hall, it’s time to break up our weekly candidate questions. (Commissioner Dan Saltzman—please, please don’t resign before May. I don’t think I could handle a fifth council race!)

On Tuesdays, we’ll hear from City Commissioner Randy Leonard, and the people who’d like to take his job. Tomorrow, we’ll meet some of the people running for the seat that Erik Sten recently vacated. On Thursdays, we’ll keep checking in with everyone who wants to pick up where Sam Adams left off, when he decided to run for mayor. And on Fridays, we’ll grill the folks who—like Adams—want the fanciest office at city hall, the Mayor’s office.

Also! Be sure to check out the Mercury’s election page, which has archives of our coverage on Blogtown and in the paper, plus links to candidate filings, campaign finance data, voter registration, and all the Portland-area candidates. Bookmark it!

Today’s question—from reader Jasun Wurster—tackles the PDC’s urban renewal areas.

What are your thoughts on the Portland Development Commission’s eleven Urban Renewal Areas? More specifically, would you support extending the following Urban Renewal Areas when they reach their expiration date (dates are from the PDC’s website)—three would expire during your term:

* Downtown Waterfront - 2008

* South Park Blocks - 2008

* Airport Way - May 2011

* Oregon Convention Center - June 2013

* Lents Town Center - 2015

Also, why would they support to extend or let the above URA’s lapse?

If I were a candidate, that question would make my head spin. Fortunately, I’m not running for office—and few of those that are were unnaturally excited about this question. Which I think is a good sign. (Send question suggestions to me in the comments, or via email.)

Commissioner Leonard was the first to respond.

Randy Leonard
Position sought: Commissioner #4
Website: randyforportland.com
Public financing status: Not participating in program

Urban Renewal Areas can accomplish great things for neighborhoods if the money is focused on improvements that are good for the entire community.

For an example, the Lents URA recently improved SE 92nd Avenue from SE Powell to SE Holgate. What was a street with no curbs or sidewalks was transformed into a wonderful street with sidewalks, bike lanes and bio-swails (large garden spaces that catch rain water rather than allow it to drain into our sewers, which can then overflow into the Willamette).

Having said that, I do think it is important to allow Urban Renewal Districts to expire and get them back on the tax rolls fully as soon as is warranted. In fact, on the last URA extension vote for a downtown district, I was the only member of the city council to vote no against extending the district. It was my view that the district had already accomplished its goals.

However, I am not going to predict how I may vote on future requests to extend any of the Urban Renewal Districts in the list given here. The work and projects are so important that each Urban Renewal District deserves to be allowed to make their cases as to why they should or should not be extended before anyone takes a politically expedient position during a political campaign.

His challengers are after the jump.

Martha Perez
Position sought: Commissioner #4
Website: none (contact: moperez73@aol.com)
Public financing status: Less than 100 signatures & contributions

"The reasons why I would NOT/would support extending Downtown Waterfront, South Park Blocks and the Oregon Convention Center is because I generally believe that these core areas of Portland are specific places where we should continue to increase our stock of affordable housing for inner-city residents and those wishing to simply live closer to our city's cultural, educational and/both employment resources and opportunities. With the rising costs of oil and the fact that the days of cheap gasoline are no longer, there is a need now to decide which direction and to what degree citizens are taking to ensure our Cascadian way of life continues. Also, Portland is aging. By the year 2050, those over 60 years of age, generally will outnumber 14 year olds and we need to ensure that healthcare services are within ALL of our residents' reach. I also am concerned that our rural neighbors must often drive in private automobiles, in order to receive health services. I like how the City of San Francisco has created a plan where every resident may be able to receive health insurance and figured out a way to pay for it, at the same time. I am interested in working with others on these important matters".

"Secondly, the reasons why I would NOT/would support extending Airport Way and Lents Town Center, is because I do believe that we need to control the context in which our population is growing. We've learned from the "Yes on Measure 49" campaign, that water and other natural resources, must be protected, in order for a sustainable community to thrive. I'm concerned about large, outside businesses moving to our inner-suburbs and creating a situation where they benefit from the use of our natural resources, but fail to share in the costs associated with. Where is the public benefit to this scenario, in other words? I am not against business whatsoever, but I believe there needs to be a balance. I would like existing industries to continue to implement those work methodologies which minimize the amount of waste that gets created, too. For example, Davis, California, is a town that I think mostly got it right. Hence, Oregon is known for its scenic beauty and although Portland expects a rapid growth in population, I would like to demonstrate that this growth doesn't have to be chaotic; it can be somewhat graceful, organized and possible, if we can work as part of a collaborative effort".

"Thirdly, I do understand the desire to create jobs; however, with climate change having an immense impact on our food supply, locally and globally, I am concerned about the impact our human actions have, and continue to have, on our environment, plants and wildlife. I support the idea of building streetcars locally and creating jobs in the process. Historically, did you know that Portland once had a thriving streetcar transportation system, but due in part to the auto industry influencing many Americans to drive cars, the streetcar faded out of popularity? Now, with global weather changes affecting us more and more, it is time to re-vive an old concept: the streetcar is new again. My administration, in conjunction with concerned constituents, will show that it is possible to create green, environmentally-friendly industries and commerce, that benefit the local economy directly".

"Lastly, while I cannot guarantee that all of these ideas can come to fruition, I know that there are many wonderful and excellent organizations that are already working on solutions to many of our scenarios and I passionately encourage all citizens to find out how they may be involved, depending on their interests. Service learning is one way to get connected to all of the existing resources that we're fortunate to have, or visit any number of non-profit organizational websites to be involved. If there is a place, issue or idea that you have an itching desire to learn more about, simply ask and find out. Portland is recognized as being especially engaged about grassroots movements, so I'd like to encourage and support the great works that are taking place right now. Nevertheless, I still believe that government needs to be the leader, in terms of doing everything it can to address the various herculean issues that affect all of us".

"Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to listen to how I can make a huge difference on behalf of the citizens of Portland, Oregon. Take care".

Emily S. Ryan
Position sought: Commissioner #4
Website: emilysryan.com
Public financing status: Less than 100 signatures & contributions

I support Urban Renewal. I also support renewing all urban areas and not just the more promenant ones. In my answer, I do not adress all of the Urban Renewal Districts listed.

I would extend Downtown Waterfront. I think that some great work is happening and there is more work that can be done. In light of the event that have happened with renaming 4th Avenue and Block 25 (the Dirty Duck Block), I thnk that each plan needs to have more of an effort for community input and each plan should strive to have majority community support.

I would end Airport Way when it expires. Airport Way is "untapped" land but it is very close to the airport, plane emissions, and large amounts of noise polution. I think that building in the area should be limited. While we are "renewing" the area, we are also filling a lot of natural spots that contribut to our climate and our Portland ecosystem. The swamps, and otherwise"wetlands" located around Airport Way are being filled and driving organism away. Too much of this and our Portland hub could be thrown more of a "eco-hamrmonious" track.

As for the other Urban Renewal Districts in question, I support building advancement and making sure that our building are ready for natural disasters, and sustaining life. I also support filling in parking lots with affordable housing, shelters, and social services to help the poor and middle class. I can personally support inner city renwing that city limits renewing. I would like us to keep the natural green spaces and even embrace permaculture as a City.

Ed Kill
Position sought: Commissioner #4
Website: none
Public financing status: Not participating in program

I believe that the PDC has done a fairly good at their work. They have made some controversial decisions and some wrong decisions but on the whole it’s done a good job. The positive effects of their work can be seen just by biking around the city. As for the individual Urban Renewal Areas they all seem to make since to me except maybe the westside waterfront area. The downtown area is doing well and it seems logical that the PDC could take those resources and put them to better use in a part of the city that has more need. However as long as a need can be shown, I would not object to extending any of the URAs.

I understand that the PDC is the ‘third rail’ of Portland politics. Personally I don’t care about who’s in charge or what they call themselves as long as civil rights are protected, tax dollars aren’t wasted and the problems get fixed.