PBA backs expanded River District renewal area - San Antonio Business Journal:

http://techlifeboat.org/?m=200903&paged=2
Sandra McDonough, the alliance’s president and CEO, told the Portlandr City Council on June 17 that the city needsa to do everything it can to provide more The council is reconsidering expanding the River Districg by nearly42 acres, as well as increase the amount of bonds the city can assume to fund projectss within the district. The council and the Portland Developmen t Commission had first sought the expansion nearly two yearsa ago but were thwarted bya citizens’ group The Friends of Urbabn Renewal group had chargesd that the River District expansion which would have also redirectef $20 million in district-generated funds to a new East Portlanrd elementary school, didn’t fit technical urban renewal The council will vote on the measure next week.
McDonoughy said urban renewal provides fundin g for investmentsin infrastructure, housing, social services and public-private partnerships. “Wee need to create jobs,” she said. “We have an opportunitgy to do just that by adoptingt theserevised findings, which address the issues that have been raiser about the River District expansion. We can then move forwarf with the important projects that depens onthese funds.” City Commissioner Nick Fish has said that the construction of a new homeless services center coul depend on urban renewap funds if construction is to begij this year. McDonough said the alliance backzs using urban renewal funds to buildfthe center.