Tuck Wilson, , a specialist in managing public projects including TriMet's $1-billion westside light-rail line, is taking over the redevelopment project, which will result in 850 units, 372 of them to be made available at below market rates.

Citing too much administrative work, the previous director, Ed McNamara, resigned the post in June to start his own development business. The housing authority's deputy executive director Margaret Van Vliet took over as interim director. Wilson takes over the Columbia Villa project next week. His annual salary will be $110,000.

Since leaving Tri-Met, Wilson has been a senior project manager with the Portland office of CH2M Hill, working on future development possibilities in the Rose Quarter and on the creation of policies guiding development along the Willamette River.