Testimony of Andrew Hoan regarding SB 5701 to the House Committee on Economic Development, Small Business and Trade in support of three regional capitol projects.
Broadway Corridor
I urge your support for the Broadway Corridor, which is a 34-acre site in downtown Portland.
The Broadway Corridor is a key priority on the Chamber’s legislative action plan this session because the project will spur economic growth that benefits all Oregonians.
The Broadway Corridor, which encompasses the downtown Portland U.S. Postal Service site, offers the potential to create nearly 4 million square feet of new opportunities for high-density employment, mixed-income housing, and signature city attractions and amenities. This project will connect the Old Town/Chinatown and Pearl District neighborhoods, with the goal to maximize community benefits, particularly to those groups that haven’t benefitted from other urban projects. The site is also at the heart of a transportation network, making the site accessible to all as the gateway to downtown Portland.
It is an urban development project which will permanently change Portland’s downtown landscape, knit the city together, attract regional, national and international media attention, and catalyze significant private investments. It’s envisioned as a unique, diverse, vibrant, sustainable, mixed-use, dense urban district seamlessly integrated with a regional multi-modal transportation hub.
Your investment in the Broadway Corridor will support an equitable economy by advancing prosperity, creating a vibrant neighborhood, and supporting living wage jobs.
Lan Su Chinese Garden Expansion
I urge your support for the expansion of the Lan Su Chinese Garden, which has been a cultural and economic institution in Old Town Portland for 25 years.
The Lan Su Chinese Garden expansion is a key priority on the Chamber’s legislative action plan this session because the project will spur economic growth that benefits all Oregonians.
The garden expansion will transform a vacant and fenced area nearby (Block 24) to build a banquet space, permanent greenhouse to grow Chinese medicinal and botanical plants, cafe, and performance hall that opens onto a plaza.
The garden sees around 100,000 annual visitors, including many student groups, and serves as a “cultural anchor” in Old Town and is working to revitalize the area. It is one of only a handful of Chinese gardens in the country.
This expansion will create an inviting space that will transform how this classic Portland landmark serves the community— expanding the organization’s opportunities for education and celebration.
Your investment in the Lan Su Chinese Garden expansion will support desperately needed economic and cultural revitalization of Portland’s Old Town China Town neighborhood.
Williams & Russell Business Hub
I urge your support for the Williams & Russell Business Hub on the historic Hill Block in Portland’s Albina neighborhood.
The Williams & Russell Business Hub is a key priority on the Chamber’s legislative action plan this session because the project will spur economic growth that benefits all Oregonians.
The cross-laminated timber Business Hub will have affordable office and retail space for small businesses, community event space, and business-support organizations providing technical assistance to entrepreneurs in Portland and across Oregon.
Importantly, during construction the Business Hub will create 205 jobs, $19 million dollars in labor income, and $46 million dollars in economic output. Annual operations will create 145 permanent jobs, $14 million dollars in labor income, and $27 million dollars in economic output.
Investment in the Business Hub will anchor an economic renaissance at the Hill Block in the Albina neighborhood, leading to new businesses, new jobs, and increased public revenue.