Council approves first reading of Emblem tax-increment finance plan to support 264-unit development in Southeast Bend

Bend City Council on Oct. 1 held a quasi‑judicial public hearing and approved the first reading of an ordinance establishing the Emblem tax‑increment finance area, a site‑specific urban renewal plan intended to support development on an 8.38‑acre vacant parcel in Southeast Bend.

The plan identifies a maximum indebtedness of $22,100,000, of which staff said about $21,400,000 (97%) would be available for development assistance and $663,000 for plan administration. City staff told council the site is currently assessed at about $101,000 and the proposed project would support construction of 264 residential units with an expected average market rent of $2,333; the developer has projected 53 rent‑restricted units (20% of total) split into 13 units at 70% area median income (AMI), 13 at 80% AMI and 27 at 90% AMI.

Jonathan Taylor, Bend’s urban renewal manager, told council the plan is intended to address blighted conditions as defined by Oregon Revised Statute 457 — staff described the primary blight factors as inadequate infrastructure and a parcel that has…