South Park Blocks
Created in 1985, the South Park Blocks TIF District bolstered the city’s goals for the area as a thriving downtown retail core, a healthy mixed-income residential neighborhood and, through Portland State University, as an economic generator. (Closed)
Created
June 1985
District Status
Closed
By the Numbers
Background
The South Park Blocks Urban Renewal Area, created in 1985, includes significant historic buildings, cultural attractions and green spaces.
The University District is home to Portland State University (PSU), the state’s largest university. The Portland Art Museum, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Performing Arts Center and Oregon Historical Society are just a few of the Cultural District attractions. The Park Avenue District runs through the center of the URA, providing a unique urban design, open space, and historic quality to the heart of downtown Portland. The West End is home to many downtown churches and mixed-income, mixed-use housing developments. Prosper Portland has played an important role in a number of developments, rehabilitations and public improvements in the URA.
Objectives
Current Prosper Portland efforts in the South Park Blocks URA focus on:
- Expanding and supporting the downtown retail core.
- Preserving Section 8 affordable housing and providing middle income housing in support of a healthy mixed-income downtown residential neighborhood.
- Assisting Portland State University (PSU) as an economic generator for the city, including bolstering partnerships on clean tech job creation and next-generation green building.
Significant projects completed in the South Park Blocks URA include:
- Museum Place
- Eliot Tower
- Museum Place Apartments and Safeway Madison Place
- YWCA Downtown Center
- St. Francis Apartments
- New Avenues for Youth / Outside In
- 12th and Washington
- Director Park
