Talent council votes to enter negotiations with Edlund & Co. for Gateway site

The City of Talent’s Urban Renewal Agency and City Council voted to enter negotiations with Edlund & Co. for disposition and development of the Gateway site during a joint special meeting that began at 05:36 and adjourned at 06:39.

Staff introduced two competing development responses and public materials from an adjacent open house; the council heard presentations from Edlund & Co. and Hacienda CDC and took public comment before deliberating. Councilor Panamoref moved to enter negotiations with the Edlund company; the motion was seconded and passed on a roll‑call vote with five yes votes and one no (Councilor Medina).

Chris Brown, representing the Edlund team, framed the design around small commercial incubator spaces and live‑work lofts aimed to “encourage talent,” saying the proposal emphasizes a porous streetscape and modular construction for residential units. Brown noted precedent projects and described the multifamily cores as able to “function as its own independent microgrid, essentially,” as part of a resilience and renewables approach.

Brian Shelton Kelly, director of real estate development for Hacienda CDC, presented an alternative mixed‑income approach and said Hacienda would pursue flexibility in the commercial program and financing tools to support middle‑income ownership and rental units; he described Hacienda as “a Latino led, community development corporation based in Portland” and said the team strives for all‑electric buildings and high energy efficiency where financing permits.

Council discussion emphasized two recurring priorities: providing middle‑income (missing‑middle) housing and ensuring flexible commercial space that local businesses can use. Staff recommended focusing on those priorities and noted differences in financing approaches: Hacienda’s team has deeper public‑affordable residential experience while Edlund’s proposal includes a financing tool oriented to middle‑income housing and more commercial development expertise. Staff also observed that developers would provide the vast majority of capital and therefore likely retain significant income rights under many ownership structures.

Public testimony included local resident Todd Hohner, who urged a massing strategy that transitions from lower buildings at the perimeter to taller buildings toward the center to preserve views and solar access for adjacent homeowners. Councilors asked follow‑up questions on parking, ownership models, and the relevant area‑median‑income (AMI) metric; staff clarified the AMI in question is Jackson County’s.

The council’s formal motion to enter negotiations with the Edlund company was made by Councilor Panamoref, seconded, and passed by roll call. The record shows five yes votes and one no; Councilor Medina voted no. The council adjourned at 06:39 and staff will proceed with negotiations and next steps outlined in the meeting packet.

The meeting packet and the open‑house materials cited by staff are available on the City of Talent website.