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Estacada to study new urban renewal district; council asks staff for wrap‑up and feasibility work
Summary
After a presentation on tax‑increment financing and urban renewal tools, council reached consensus to direct staff to compile a report on the expiring district and to start a feasibility study and technical advisory committee to examine a new urban renewal area.
The Estacada City Council agreed to move forward with staff and consultant work to assess whether to pursue a new urban renewal district and to document the results of the city’s existing urban renewal program.
John Licarza delivered a detailed presentation explaining how urban renewal (tax‑increment financing) works, the 25 percent assessed‑value/acreage limits in Oregon, common projects funded by districts and how incremental funds can be bonded to pay for upfront infrastructure. Licarza also reviewed statewide examples of urban renewal used for street, storefront and post‑disaster recovery projects.
Councilors and economic development commissioners present discussed next steps and recommended staff prepare a wrap‑up report on the current urban renewal district (projects completed and outcomes) and to budget for a feasibility study and community outreach. Council members asked staff to convene a technical advisory committee that could include representatives from the fire district, the school district, local businesses and other stakeholders to provide input on potential boundaries and project lists.
Staff said the feasibility work would include boundary modeling, revenue projections, a review of projects (infrastructure, wayfinding, waterfront improvements, land acquisition) and community engagement. The council also asked staff to consider a hotel market study as part of economic development analysis; the Economic Development Commission had recommended such a study.
Council consensus was reached to direct staff and the consultant to proceed with the report and feasibility work, with public outreach and technical advisory committee formation to follow. Councilors emphasized the need for clear public engagement and for an assessment of successes from the current district before moving forward with a new designation.
