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Wednesday, January 28, 2009

City Hall / News / Portland Homeless Access Center May Now Open 2011

Posted by Matt Davis on Wed, Jan 28, 2009 at 12:00 PM

Back in 2007, I wrote a feature about the city's planned Resource Access Center for the homeless, when it was expected that the center would be opened in "fingers-crossed, 2009." Here's the latest design:
e5ef/1233171126-resourceaccesscenter.jpg
RESOURCE ACCESS CENTER: Housing Authority of Portland Projects Manager Mike Andrews Presents To Council This Morning...

Well, it's 2009. And now, those behind the center say it's likely to open in 2011. But thanks to the economic downturn, the center will now be on half a block, not a full block, and there are concerns about its ability to even be funded, thanks to a Land-Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) process challenging the Portland Development Commission's funding structure.

"I think the current incarnation of this plan is beautiful, I was somewhat skeptical, for some reason a decision was made to review this while I was in Peru for a month and move from a full block to a half," said Doreen Binder, executive director of Transition Projects, Inc. which will run the center. "But it is a critically important building and I urge you to support Commissioner Fish on this project."

"This process has been unfolding over many years," said Fish, this morning, before voting to support an intergovernmental agreement between the city, Housing Authority of Portland, and the Portland Development Commission to build the building. "We will not stop until everybody in our community is housed."

The problem? It's going to cost $45.9m, but $29.5m of that is yet to be signed off by LUBA. Until that happens, says Fish, "it places a cloud over the city's ability to move forward on a number of projects."

"This building can be a catalyst for the continuing revival of this stretch of Broadway," Fish added. "It's a beautiful design."

The building, which has been designed by Holst architects, has also been earmarked for Federal stimulus dollars, should they ever show up. Until then, it's a nice idea. And something for council to talk about. Hey, if it helps, it's "shovel ready." Just not quite wallet-ready, just yet...

City Commissioner Randy Leonard, meanwhile, noted that Commissioner Nick Fish used to speak from notes when he addressed council, but that now, he's talking without notes.

"I don't know if you intend to keep a video archive of your history in public service, but if you do I would recommend that you quickly capture the video of your remarks here today, they were inspirational," said Leonard. "I've never heard a better speech."

If you'll forgive a little analysis, Leonard's "never heard a better speech?" This is a man who idolizes Churchill. "Fight them on the beaches!" Etcetera. Remember: Leonard broke ranks with Adams over the scandal this weekend, and Fish has been equivocal about Adams' ability to lead. One senses new alliances being formed here in council chambers. Both Amanda Fritz and Dan Saltzman looked a little surprised to hear Leonard praising Fish so highly. Actually, Fish, I thought, may have been wondering whether Leonard was taking the piss, early on in his remarks. But the real one to watch was Adams: He looked completely and totally flummoxed. It was really odd.

 

Comments (11) RSS

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1
$45 million dollars for a homeless shelter.
Thank god Sam hasnt resigned.
Whatever would we have done!?
Posted by D on January 28, 2009 at 12:08 PM · Report
2
"It's going to cost $45.9m"

I'd bet a private building could be built for half that.
Posted by Blabby on January 28, 2009 at 12:26 PM · Report
3
"I'd bet a private building could be built for half that."

Got any recent comparable private projects (including the requisite features such as fire safety, food prepration and storage, common areas, sanitation, etc.) of a similar scale that we can compare? There are a number of private charitable organizations -- have any built a structure in a highly urban setting like this recently for half the price (similar features)?
Posted by Bob R. on January 28, 2009 at 12:35 PM · Report
4
With 10% of that money, cash in hand, I could have that place open in 45 days.
Posted by J_Renaud on January 28, 2009 at 12:41 PM · Report
5
I'd have to know the square footage of the building, but it looks like:

footprint: 20,000 (half a block)
height: 7 stories
estimated square footage: 140,000

construction costs: $175 to $200 per square foot

estimated cost: $28 million at the high end
Posted by Blabby on January 28, 2009 at 12:53 PM · Report
6
So Blabby has no comps, no discussion of features, and the rough estimate provided is still 5X what pdx97217 thinks it can be built for, in just 45 days.

I'll stick with the figures from the current project's bean counters unless someone has real data.
Posted by Bob R. on January 28, 2009 at 1:12 PM · Report
7
Oh, I don't doubt their figures. I'm sure it will cost them $50 million to build it. Probably more.
Posted by Blabby on January 28, 2009 at 1:21 PM · Report
8
Leonard couldn't get Adams to resign, so now he's trying to CONFUSE him out of office.
Posted by Will Radik on January 28, 2009 at 5:24 PM · Report
9
"This building can be a catalyst for the continuing revival of this stretch of Broadway," Fish added. "It's a beautiful design."
My god complete morons are running this city...do they really think having a homeless shelter is actually going to attract businesses and residents to an area? Really.
Posted by monpetitloup on January 29, 2009 at 9:44 AM · Report
10
Why in the HELL are we willing to even TOLERATE this ridiculous proposal??
With so many empty buildings sitting unused within the city limits, this could be done at a fraction of the cost..
But of course that would mean no cushy salary for the admins, and actually CARING about the homeless and their housing.
Soon with the economic crisis, this could end up being needed by most of the city..
Perhaps THEN it would get done quickly and cheaply.
One can only HOPE...
I think Obama's pastor was prophesizing when he said "God Damn America". Or maybe just cursing it.
Posted by LiesAreLies on January 29, 2009 at 11:08 AM · Report
11
Who cares about the homeless, can we get back to the issue of Sam Adam's and Beau Breedlove's sexual liason!
Posted by jsten on January 29, 2009 at 4:20 PM · Report

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