The Portland Development Commission owns the land but has a $3.6-million disposition and development agreement that involves developers Homer Williams, John Carroll and Gordon Sondland. The PDC is seeking an increase in the maximum building height to 200 feet from between 125 feet and 150 feet.
The PDC and the developers argue that the increase in maximum height would result in taller, thinner buildings that wouldn't block views and would allow for more open space and, therefore, better public access to the waterfront. As well, the urban renewal project would generate tax increment revenue that could be used to pay for infrastructure improvements and encourage more redevelopment of the heretofore industrial riverfront.
The planning commission, however, prefers its existing step-down-to-the-river zoning, and is recommending the city council reject the proposal. Other concerns expressed by commission members and citizen opponents of the idea--many of whom live in condos that would be able to see the buildings instead of the river--are that it would set a precedent for other tall buildings that could block existing views and create a canyon-like experience from the river.
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