Bend analyzes new urban renewal district

Urban renewal is an authority that is given to cities in the state of Oregon. Bend officials are analyzing the central district and discussed a potential urban renewal district at Wednesday evening’s city council meeting.

The city can draw a boundary around a certain part of town and save the growth in property tax dollars to help future projects inside the boundary line.

The central area of Bend extends from about Revere Avenue to Wilson Street. It includes many parts of Third Street.

The city is starting the process of a feasibility study to analyze if the urban renewal taxing tool would be a helpful way to start projects and redevelop areas inside the central boundary.

With the funds from the taxes, Bend could build taller buildings, make transit routes and create wider sidewalks.

If this plan were to happen, no businesses within the boundary would pay extra taxes. The city would keep a percentage of the taxes they’re already paying to save up for projects.

“The central area of Bend, think of Third Street, and if you’ve lived in Bend long enough you know that Third Street is a barrier, city Economic Development Director Carolyn Eagan said. “You either live on the east side of Third Street or you live on the west side of Third Street.

“So the Third Street corridor has long been identified as needing a way to bring both parts of Bend, from east and west and from north and south together in a sort of community gathering place, an extension of downtown.”

Staff will begin working with an advisory board to analyze the areas of greatest need in that central district. The long term-goal is to start the urban renewal plan by the end of 2019.