North Macadam

The North Macadam (NMAC) Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District encompasses approximately 447 acres, primarily within the South Waterfront neighborhood. This district has been instrumental in transforming a former industrial area into a vibrant, mixed-use urban environment.

When the district was founded in 1999, NMAC was a largely vacant, under-performing industrial area hampered by a lack of infrastructure and a need for environmental clean-up. It was physically close to downtown but disconnected and overlooked.

Since 1999, NMAC has achieved significant transformation from an industrial area with environmental brownfields to a thriving commercial and housing district along the Willamette River and connected to downtown Portland. South Waterfront includes large employers like OHSU and educational institutions such as Portland State University (PSU). Its South Portland location makes it a transportation nexus with the convergence of I5, state routes 26 and 43, and local surface streets. The Portland Streetcar provides light rail public transportation options and connections to downtown Portland. NMAC is also the west side landing for the Tilikum Crossing Bridge, built by TriMet and the City for the MAX Orange Line light rail passenger trains. The bridge also serves city buses and the Portland Streetcar, as well as bicycles, pedestrians, and emergency vehicles. In addition, NMAC has one of the only aerial commuter trams in the country: Portland Aerial Tram connects South Waterfront to OHSU on Marquam Hill.

NMAC is well positioned to meet the demand for high-density, mixed-use housing and environmentally friendly development and urban living here in Portland. Completed projects in the area include new affordable and market-rate housing, employment, walking paths, parks, greenway trails, streetcar and the aerial tram.

• Pursue significant development of commercial space and affordable and market-rate housing in a former industrial area by redeveloping the district into a mixed-use Central City neighborhood, with a spectacular greenway and parks system.
• Improve transportation infrastructure and accessibility.
• Enhance public amenities and uses, including greenway, riverfront improvements, and access.
• Equitable economic development and quality job creation, including the new research cluster integrated with OHSU.

The NAMC TIF District focuses planning and redevelopment into functional, accessible communities. Previous work and significant projects within the district include:

• Construction of the Portland Streetcar and the Portland Aerial Tram, enhancing connectivity
• Development of the South Waterfront Greenway, providing public recreational spaces, along with a grant to Alamo Manhattan for a water feature in the greenway
• Establishment of OHSU facilities, contributing to job creation and economic growth
• Completion of more than 2000 housing units, including more than 600 affordable housing units at Gray’s Landing, the Waterleaf Apartments, and conversion of the Acqua Apartments

NMAC priorities and potential future projects include:

• Transportation infrastructure
  • SW Bond Ave extension
  • SW Bond/SW Moody St couplet
  • South Portal
• Greenways and parks enhancements
• Support for major projects, including:
  • The development of a new Performing Arts and Cultural Center (PACC) for Portland State University at the University Place property
  • The Portland Diamond Project bid to attract a Major League Baseball team to the Zidell Yards property, which could further stimulate economic growth
• Affordable housing utilizing TIF set-aside for Portland Housing Bureau (PHB)
• Middle-income, workforce, or student housing due to large institutional presence
• OHSU Schnitzer Campus and the North District
• RiverPlace
• Zidell Yards property
• Small Business and Non-Profit Grants
  • Community Livability Grant
  • Prosperity Investment Program Grants