OPINION: Homebuilders support Wilsonville’s Measure 3-605

The Home Building Association of Greater Portland represents thousands of businesses and individuals who address our biggest issues by building the housing, infrastructure and jobs that make our region livable and economically vibrant. We are dedicated to maximizing affordability for all who reside in our region by shaping an environment in which industry professionals can meet the diverse housing needs of all communities. Together, our 1,200 members work across the Portland region in six counties, 40 cities and across many service and utility districts.

Public-private partnerships make for great communities.

Homebuilders work in close partnership with local governments because before we can build the vibrant new neighborhoods communities want, years of thoughtful planning and targeted public-private financing must happen first.

Before residents actually see the brand-new homes, beautiful public parks and open spaces, newly opened schools, tree-lined streets and treasured community centers, cities and developers must first find unique (and frankly boring) financing tools to install the behind-the-scenes and below-the-surface infrastructure to make it happen.

As a result of this close partnership and long-term planning, Wilsonville boasts the Villebois Neighborhood, one of Oregon’s most recognized mixed-use communities. Funded through builder-paid development fees and city-backed infrastructure financing, this community’s innovative planning helped generate over 2,400 homes, an interconnected series of roads and trails, and significant natural spaces. It’s a great example of a public-private partnership done right.

The Wilsonville Town Center Plan will create jobs, housing, parks and more.

Created in 2019 after years of thoughtful community engagement, the Wilsonville Town Center Plan offers a vision and roadmap to transform a 170-acre area just north of Wilsonville Road into the city’s next shining mixed-use neighborhood. The plan aims to convert a poorly designed and underutilized area burdened by disconnected streets and empty parking lots into an active community accessible to all. The new neighborhood will include space for jobs, shopping, dining, community events, parking and, of course, new housing.

And speaking of housing, this plan calls for the creation of a variety of at least 1,600 new homes in an area that will include plentiful transit, biking and pedestrian options. Given the severe housing crisis impacting our region, this increase in supply could be a huge opportunity to both lower rents around the region and build wealth for Wilsonville residents.

This is where Measure 3-605 comes in.

On May 21, voters will be asked to approve an “Advisory vote on forming a Town Center urban renewal district.” But before we jump into what the measure will do, it’s important to remind folks what the measure won’t do. Measure 3-605 is NOT a tax increase. I’ll say that again to underline its importance — this measure will NOT raise taxes.

Rather, it will establish an urban renewal district, a commonly used financing tool that allows cities to make targeted investments in community projects through the use of future revenues generated by new development in a specific area. Doing so helps drive private investments and spur even more economic growth.

A great example of this tool being used is in Villebois itself — where $49 million in initial renewal investments catalyzed what is now over $1 billion in economic and community value.

In the measure’s case, targeted investments would be driven towards projects that will allow the Town Center to grow — including construction of a new Main Street, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, a bridge over I-5 and other infrastructure necessary to promote development. The result will be better public facilities and improved city services. It’s what you might call, a win-win.

Approval of this measure will support new, more affordable housing options.

As noted above, homebuilders and cities know what it takes to get new things built. But the reality is, a new town center and the housing that it would produce likely won’t happen unless the city creates an urban renewal district. That’s why HBA supports this measure — because it provides Wilsonville with the means to finance a once-in-a-generation community hub with walkable and engaging public spaces, great parks, new restaurants and, yes, new housing.

We urge you to vote YES on Measure 3-605 to fuel exactly the kind of public-private partnerships our communities need.