A4
THE ASTORIAN • SATuRdAy, ApRIl 16, 2022
OPINION
editor@dailyastorian.com
KARI BORGEN
publisher
Founded in 1873
DERRICK DePLEDGE
Editor
SHANNON ARLINT
Circulation Manager
JOHN D. BRUIJN
production Manager
OUR VIEW
A reasonable calculation at Heritage Square
he Astoria City Council
made a reasonable calcu-
lation this month in back-
ing away from a workforce hous-
ing project at Heritage Square.
The city and Edlen & Co., a
Portland-based developer, did
not have enough public support
to withstand the inevitable com-
plications of launching a project
of this size downtown.
Even if the City Council rec-
onciled the estimated $37.8 mil-
lion cost and the developer
obtained low-income hous-
ing tax credits and other gov-
ernment assistance, the project
would have gone before the His-
toric Landmarks Commission
in the shadow of the November
election.
With vocal objections from a
divided community and a new
mayor and two new city council-
ors on the way, the project would
likely have been one loose thread
away from unraveling at any
moment.
In our view, though, this was a
loss for Astoria.
Edlen & Co.’s concept of
workforce housing for low-
er-wage workers and support-
ive housing for people struggling
with mental illness and drug and
alcohol abuse would have helped
the city respond to critical needs.
The project was the first tan-
gible opportunity to redevelop
Heritage Square since 2016,
when the City Council voted 3
to 2 against a new library with
the potential for housing that
would have likely required bond
financing.
While the estimated cost of the
project was substantial, it was
not exorbitant, especially given
T
Lydia Ely/The Astorian
The empty pit at Heritage Square has languished for 12 years.
WE HAVE dESCRIBEd THE EMpTy pIT AT
HERITAGE SQuARE AS A SyMBOl OF THE lACK OF
uRGENCy IN ASTORIA REdEVElOpMENT. MAyBE
IT’S FITTING THAT IT STAyS EMpTy A lITTlE WHIlE
lONGER — AN EMBlEM OF OuR uGly SIdE.
the frustrating history of the
block.
In a public-private partner-
ship, Edlen & Co. wanted the
city to transfer the land for free,
contribute $2.2 million in gap
funding through urban renewal
money and offer property tax
abatement for 60 years.
Last fall, the city had iden-
tified these possible funding
tools — although not the spe-
cific amounts — as part of a
potential deal structure when
it asked developers for propos-
als at Heritage Square. From the
start, the city was aware it was
likely going to have to partici-
pate directly in financing to help
defray an expensive and compli-
cated redevelopment.
We hope the end of the work-
force housing project will lead
to an honest reassessment about
what is possible at Heritage
Square.
The city acquired the former
Safeway property two decades
ago. The foundation of the mar-
ket collapsed after heavy rains
in 2010. The Garden of Surging
Waves was completed in 2014.
The library project was rejected
in 2016. The City Council made
housing a goal in 2017.
At no point in all these years
has a private developer stepped
forward with a credible free-mar-
ket solution. No philanthropist
has offered to help underwrite a
plaza or amphitheater.
Before embarking on another
idea, the City Council should
make clear how much pub-
lic money the city is willing
to invest to avoid the wishful
thinking and sticker shock that
clouded discussions over the
library and workforce housing
projects.
We also hope people reflect
on the kind of policy debates the
city should have going forward.
Heritage Square involves city
property, so everyone should
have a say.
We do not believe people need
to be well-versed in commu-
nity development, housing or
social services to have opinions.
We respect people who simply
did not like Edlen & Co.’s con-
cept or did not want the project
downtown.
But we do not respect peo-
ple who spread misinformation
and engage in fear-mongering.
This was not punching up at City
Hall or an out-of-town devel-
oper. This was punching down at
the expense of some of the most
financially vulnerable people in
our community.
We have described the empty
pit at Heritage Square as a sym-
bol of the lack of urgency in
Astoria redevelopment.
Maybe it’s fitting that it stays
empty a little while longer — an
emblem of our ugly side.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Experience and skill
e look to people who have experi-
ence and skill when we want a job
done well. Whether we are looking for a
car mechanic, a hairdresser or a surgeon,
we want someone in whom we have the
confidence that they will properly take
care of our needs.
The same is true for people we elect
to hold public office. Our current Clatsop
County Commissioner Pam Wev is some-
one who has earned that confidence.
Pam has a long and exemplary career
as a public servant. She has served in
many levels of government, and has spe-
cific expertise in planning and economic
development. Pam also has particular
knowledge in the area of housing, which
is especially important today in Clat-
sop County. Pam currently serves on the
board of the Northwest Oregon Housing
Authority.
Pam is a valuable contributor on our
current county Board of Commissioners.
Hers is a steady voice of reason, delibera-
tion and action. Pam’s years of experience
have given her a wealth of understand-
ing of how government works, and how
different elements of our community are
interconnected.
Keep Pam in the job she has shown
herself to be so good at, working to build
a better county for today and for future
generations. Please vote, and reelect Com-
missioner Wev.
ERIC HALPERIN
Gearhart
W
Recommend
am Wev has served Clatsop County
well in her recent term as our county
commissioner. She has worked to improve
housing and to provide a diverse econ-
omy. She is an experienced planner and
economic developer. I recommend Wev
for Clatsop County commissioner.
VICKI BAKER
Astoria
P
Highly qualified
lease vote for Steve Dillard for Clat-
sop County Commission, District 5.
P
LETTERS WELCOME
Letters should be exclusive to The
Astorian. Letters should be fewer
than 250 words and must include the
writer’s name, address and phone
number. You will be contacted to
confirm authorship. All letters are
subject to editing for space, gram-
mar and factual accuracy. Only two
letters per writer are allowed each
month. Letters written in response
Steve is highly qualified to serve on
the Clatsop County commission with a
background in business and community
service. He has operated an IT services
business for 30 years and currently man-
ages local short-term rentals and a motel.
to other letter writers should address
the issue at hand and should refer to
the headline and date the letter was
published. Discourse should be civil.
Send via email to editor@dailyasto-
rian.com, online at bit.ly/astorianlet-
ters, in person at 949 Exchange St.
in Astoria or mail to Letters to the
Editor, P.O. Box 210, Astoria, OR.,
97103.
Steve is a results-oriented person, and
has worked on many business and com-
munity projects with successful out-
comes. He will use his experience and
skills to address the local issues of work-
force housing, transitional housing and
homelessness.
He has also been active in programs
for our youth, such as introducing them
to aviation through the Experimental
Aircraft Association.
Vote for Dillard.
CHRISTINE BRIDGENS
Warrenton
Grandma’s wisdom
s a young lad at Easter, I asked my
grandmother which she liked best,
Christmas or Easter. Her quick response
was, “Easter!”
I asked, “Why Easter?”
Her response was, “Christmas
made the promise. Easter fulfilled the
promise.”
JIM BERNARD
Warrenton
A