I caught this news story on KATU and was glad to see so many of our local people speaking up about the growth that is occurring. We all see it, we all know it, and no matter where you land on growth, you must recognize it is happening. Those of us who have been here longer feel it more. We dream of the small quaint town that we had. Those more recently joining the party see it as normal and part of their time here.
The facts will prove if all of this growth led by the Hillsboro City Council and staff is done responsibly and livable. Crime rates in Hillsboro rose at a record rate last year. Homelessness continues to dog our community. Housing prices, especially rents, are also a leading cause of household concern. Downtown, the merchants are seeing rent increases which are directly related to the growth that is occurring. The new buildings attract upscale businesses that pay more, and the gentrifying effect will displace longtime businesses. Parking is a huge issue now too.
This week, the City is asking itself for the right to allow the Hillsboro Hops to build a new 7,000-seat stadium that is unfunded so far and will displace our youth and rec fields.
Growth is a part of our lives, but when it accelerates, it can be disruptive and have harmful consequences. We debate it but unless someone stands up, it is inevitable.
“Attract upscale businesses that pay more.”
This is my question for the landlords downtown: Who do you think is coming? Starbucks left. Both Bank of America and US Bank left. Subway left. The national chains that are most commonly associated with higher rent have moved out.
Who do you think that leaves? Is Kurt Huffman going to throw an Oven & Shaker into any of the storefronts you’re squeezing people out of? Do you think Micah Camden’s walking through that door after downsizing Little Big Burger?
I know the landlords are getting all green eyed watching See See, Rudy’s, Magna, Pip’s, Loyal Legion, Don’s Favorite, Binary Brewing, Ex Novo, Breakside and Super Champ all move into Old Town Beaverton. But they aren’t looking at the giant and near-complete fiasco that was just getting Grand Central and Sizzle Pie into that new space. The Sudra just folded its Beaverton spot and the landlord handing Ex Novo’s spot to Backwoods (and leaving out a potentially lucrative partner in the process) provides some idea of how tenuous all this is.
The Main Street (and nearby, from the sounds of it) landlords are trying to cash in before projects break ground at the bowling alley and the old Hank’s site. If those lane restrictions go through on Oak and Baseline, all of the above gets a lot more valuable.
The landlords continue to hope that Portland brands will chase money west, but ask a certain venue on Main how the quest for high-end dining here is going. I don’t know how many more Top Burmeses Main Street has in it, but Blue Ox and the carts are about to give us a strong sense of what day-to-day foot traffic looks like down there.
Is there a model of “smart” growth out there that addresses the concerns discussed in the article and KATU story?
we complain about the burden on our schools, our roads. our resources. Yet the building department continues to give out building permits. Why? is enough, enough, at lease slow the growth down. I understand the need for the tax revenues, but at what cost?
Hillsboro had a great “small town” feel, where one felt safe when walking around to shop or explore. Now it is starting to feel like “Portland Jr” and it’s antics of using the same tactics as Portland for caring for the constituents is mind bending. Don’t associate yourself with Portland. Be your own town!!! Be your own leadership. Stop listening to those who are screwing up Portland. Invent new things or recycle the old ideas. Otherwise, you drive families and the economy away. How is that going to be sustainable? Start investing in the future with investing in children and creating a solidly safe place to live.
This is a real Clackamas take, bro.
In the last 15 years I have lived in and visited many towns and cities all over the country. Although playing the ” I remember when…” game is fun, it’s not productive. I have seen hundreds of towns where it’s just like the good ol’ days, and they are failing miserably. The children see no future for employment , medical care, etc. and move away. The town slowly dies. Hillsboro is the opposite. The growth is controlled, well designed, and invigorating. When selecting our next home, we chose Hillsboro because it is growing and successful. Yes, the multistory retirement facility is dramatic, but how many cars to you think people in assisted living apartments actually have?? To me the future of Hillsboro looks bright and I’m glad to be a part of its growth.
Well said. I grew up in a dying town and laugh when people complain about growth and “too many” good paying jobs. My wife and I also chose to buy a home in Hillsboro because it was a vibrant and growing city.
An alternate take might be that Hillsboro has a natural asset in its historical garden city design which created a beautiful downtown area. The changes that are happening now, although they feel abrupt and scary, should have been occurring over time. Local political forces have held back natural, incremental development that would have brought local smaller businesses along while taking advantage of the city’s ample developable land to create homes to welcome more neighbors to Hillsboro and encourage new and interesting businesses that increase foot traffic, while bringing more “rising tide lifts all boats” economic development.
I wish it had happened over a longer time frame, but I’m glad it is happening now, as we seek to face the problems that homelessness and climate change present to our community.