October 4, 2000
Page 0 7
NfltioMfli Minority Business Week
ÿtartlanh ©bseruer
Preserving Historic
Commençai Sites
B> S eas O ’S k i a eur T he P orilasu
O bserver
M any ethnic neighborhoods con
tain a w ealth o f historic structures. In
tow ns across the nation, m inority
neighborhoods are am ong the oldest
)n the com m unity. A s w ealthy citizens
abandoned older neighborhoods for
newer and more fashionable addresses,
lower income families moved in. These
families and businesses w ere often
unable to afford the popular rem odel
ing “upgrades” that so harm ed the
historic character o f other neighbor
hoods. Their build
ings were, in a way,
preserved over the
years. Today, these
neighborhoods of
fer w onderful op
portunity to restore
the historic charac
ter ofthe homes and
com mercial build
ings found there.
Hr» c*;*» /
Care m ust be taken,
however, to avoid
• -iJ
'
the g en trification
■r
that has frequently
o c c u rre d
w hen
older, ethnic areas
becom e popular re-
h a b ilita tio n d i s
tricts. D evelopers
often snatch up dilapidated buildings
and pour thousands o f dollars into
their rehabilitation. That is great forthe
historic buildings, but the increased
rent or sale price o f the rehabilitated
buildings is frequently beyond the
means o f the neighborhood’s inhabit
ants. The families that previously lived
in the neighborhood are scattered, de
stroying the sense o f com m unity that
urban planners are so often trying to
create in renew al projects. O ne excel
lent way for preservation to occur with
out gentrification, is for developers to
take advantage ofFederal low income
tax credits, which allow portions o f the
cost o f project to be refunded in the
form o f tax credits. Historic buildings
are at their most vulnerable when they
are vacant. Neighborhoods that have
few services and businesses will likely
lose population, creating a downward
spiral o f population loss and going-
out-of-business sales. Furthermore, a
beautifully restored building with a
“for rent” sign in the window does little
to help the local economy. So the best
thing for both historic buildings and
inner city neighborhoods is to have
i ’LfSil
'
■ 1 i « H fT T ÿ
Bp \
j 7 :
Ja
’ Ä
IM jm J irr ■■
* ai
rehabilitated buildings filled with thriv
ing businesses. Unfortunately, many
inner city business are having trouble
staying afloat. Small-business loans
and building rehabilitation grants
w ould go a long w ay in improving and
stabilizing inner-city historic neigh
borhoods. T he am ount o f m oney
needed to turn entire neighborhoods
around w ould be a fraction o f that
spent by municipalities in meeting the
dem ands o f corporate retailers. Bil
lions are spent annually by cities across
the country to pave the w ay (literally)
for corporate commercial development
at the edge o f town. In some cases local
governments will pick up as m uch as
50% o fth e cost o f massive projects by
powerful developers and banks. W hen
was the last time a city picked up h alf
the cost o f establishing a small busi
ness in an older neighborhood? Healthy
businesses in m ixed-use neighbor
hoods are essential for the stability o f
older areas. N ot only do the busi
nesses add to the tax base o f an area,
and protect the historic buildings they
occupy from dem olition, but they also
create a sense o f com m unity as local
residents live, work,
and shop in their neigh
borhoods. This helps
keep cars o ff the road
as residents can easily
w alk to local establish
ments, rather than be
forced to use their cars
for even the simplest
errands, as is the case
in the suburbs. It also
prevents less-m obile
residents from being
cut o ff from goods and
services. It generates
activity in the neigh
borhood, w hich deters
crim e and encourages
growth. Furthermore,
local, small businesses
offer em ploym ent opportunities and
independence from suburban retail
ers. Preservation o f individual build
ings can often occur because o f phi
lanthropy, far-sighted developers, or
grass roots efforts. But the preserva
tion o f historic neighborhoods can
only occur w hen the businesses in
those districts are thriving. Therefore
it is essential that public money be
made available to small-business own
ers in historic areas. This will not only
improve the quality o f life for the
neighborhood’s residents but also
save a great m any historic structures.
león D.
M c K enzie
INSURANCE AGENCY
LIFE INSURANCE & FINANCIAL PLANNING
232 S.E. OAK
SUITE #107
PORTLAND, OREGON 97214
503/233-9588
f
opportunity
inclusive iimctices OPOWth
econom ic vitality
Healthy
communities
Minority business is the economic reality of the new millenium. Th'e City of Portland, Multnomah County, Port
of Portland and Portland Development Commission are committed to building the economic vitality of the
Portland region’s diverse businesses by utilizing fair contracting and employment practices to ensure equal
opportunity for all citizens.
We appreciate this special opportunity to recognize and celebrate the many valuable contributions made by
minority businesses in the metropolitan area.
Multnomah County Opportunity Hotline
(503)797-1933
Sheila McDaniel, Contract Aministrator: (503)988-4049
www.co.multnomah.or.us/contracts
Port of Portland
FaxBack Line: (503)944-7592
Jerry Walker, DBE Program Manager: (503)944-7587
www.portofportlandor.com
roc
PORTLAND
Portland Development Commission
Tyrone Henry, Contract Compliance Coordinator: (503)823-3315
www.portlanddev.org/about/contract.html
City of Portland Bureau of Purchases BuyLine
(503)823-5513
Loretta Young, M/W/ESB Liaison: (503)823-6850
www.ci.portland.or.us/purchase/purchase.htm
1
p
f x a r v of
P ortland
T ransportation
T
office of
City of Portland
Office of Transportation
Contracting information and contacts at
www.trans.ci.portland.or.us
I