01/13/2010 - Packet City of Tigard
City Center Advisory Commission — Agenda
MEETING DATE: Wednesday,January 13, 2010 —6:30-8:30 p.m.
MEETING LOCATION: Tigard City Hall- Red Rock Creek Conference Room
13125 SW Hall Blvd.,Tigard, OR 97223
1. Welcome and Introductions ....................................................................................................6:30 —6:35
2. Review / Approve December Minutes.................................................................................6:35 — 6:40
3. CCAC Officer Elections for 2010..........................................................................................6:40—6:50
4. 2010 CCAC Retreat Preparation............................................................................................6:50—7:00
Planning forjanuary 18, 2010 retreal
5. State of Downtown Urban Renewal......................................................................................7:00 —7:45
(Community Development Director Ron Bunch and Sean Farrelly)
Overview followed by question and answer session
CCAC Priorities for FY 2010-11 Budget..............................................................................7:45 — 8:25
CCAC to dismss and recommend budget priorities for City Center Development A envy budget and CIP
7. Other Business..........................................................................................................................8:25— 8:30
8. Adjourn.......................................................................................................................................8:30 p.m.
Upcoming meetings of note:
1/11: Council joint meeting with Lake Oswego Council to hear T.O.D.presentation(West End Building/Santiam Room—4101 Kruse
Way,Lake Oswego)
1/18: CCAC Retreat,at Max's Fanno Creek Brewpub
1/19: Council Workshop-Briefing on Downtown Circulation Plan Report,3111 workshop on Downtown Code amendments
1/26: Council public hearing on Downtown code(potential adoption)
2/10: CCAC February regular meeting
2/16: CCDA/CCAC annual joint meeting
4/12: CCDA Budget Committee meeting
CITY CENTER ADVISORY COMMISSION AGENDA—January 13, 2010
City of Tigard 1 13125 SW Hall Blvd.,Tigard,OR97223503-639-4171 1 www.tigard-or.gov I Page I oft
City Center Advisory Commission
Meeting Minutes
Date of Meeting: January 13, 2010
Location: Red Rock Creek Conference Room
Called to order by: Chair Thomas Murphy
Time Started: 6:30 p.m.
Time Ended: 9:06 p.m.
Commissioners Present: Carolyn Barkley;Vice Chair Alexander Craghead;Alice Ellis Gaut;
Ralph Hughes; Kevin Kutcher; Peter Louw; Chair Thomas Murphy; Elise Shearer; Martha Wong;
Linli Pao (alternate); Philip Thornburg (alternate)
Commissioners Absent:
Others Present:
Staff Present: Ron Bunch, Community Development Director; Sean Farrelly, Senior Planner;
Jerree Lewis, Executive Assistant
AGENDA ITEM #1: Welcome and Introductions
Important Discussion and/or Comments: Introductions were not necessary.
Action Items (Follow-Up or Votes):
AGENDA ITEM #2: Review / Approve Minutes
Important Discussion and/or Comments:
Action Items (Follow-Up or Votes): Motion by Commissioner Ellis Gaut, seconded by
Commissioner Shearer, to approve the December 2009 meeting minutes. The motion passed
unanimously.
AGENDA ITEM #3: CCAC Officer Elections for 2010
Important Discussion and/or Comments: Commissioner Pao withdrew her nomination as Vice
Chair.
CCAC Meeting Minutes for January 13,2010 Page 1 of 7
Action Items (Follow-Up or Votes): Commissioner Craghead was elected Chair; Commissioner
Murphy was elected Vice Chair.
AGENDA ITEM #4: 2010 CCAC Retreat Preparation
Important Discussion and/or Comment: The Commissioners were told to contact someone on
the subcommittee if they would like to add an item to the agenda for the retreat. They were also
reminded to familiarize themselves again with the Leland Report. Commissioner Kutcher was
asked to pull together and organize the goals that the Commissioners will be proposing at the
retreat.
Action Items (Follow-Up or Votes): None
AGENDA ITEM #5: State of Downtown Urban Renewal
Important Discussion and/or Comments: Community Development Director Ron Bunch
spoke to the Commissioners about what will be happening in the Downtown during the coming
year, what the state of the City is, and how it may affect the Downtown in the future. He reported
that the City is currently focusing on completing Burnham Street and the upcoming green street
project on the south side of Main Street. For the Main Street green street project, the City will try
to acquire grants to extend the project to the north side as well.
We will be going to bid in February or March for the Hwy 99W/Hall/Greenburg intersection
improvements. With the Burnham, Hall, Greenburg, and the Main Street projects, many millions
are being invested in the transportation system around the Downtown.
For private development, Community Partners for Affordable Housing will be submitting building
plans this spring for their 50 unit senior housing project. In the next year, the City would like to
begin conversations with the development community about the Downtown. We would like to
expose the Downtown to the development community throughout the region. Rental housing and
retail will be key components.
This next year, we will be working on some economic opportunities analyses for private property
and possibly connecting those property owners with developers. Another objective for this year is
to begin to acquire key pieces of property if/when they come up for sale. A request for quotes
(RFQ) has been sent out for an on call real estate economic advisor. The TriMet property is still
being considered. Having the property for public uses would probably be the best use of that
property.
Hwy. 99W will be the next corridor for light rail or high capacity transit (HCT). We have received a
TGM grant to do a land use analysis along Hwy 99W for station planning and zoning. One of the
CCAC Meeting Minutes for January 13,2010 Page 2 of 7
key things for transit is that the land use needs to be able to support it. There's an interest to have
light rail and have it create real places. Hwy 99W provides that opportunity. The corridor is a mile
wide, '/2 mile on each side of 99W, but the locally preferred alignment has not been finalized yet.
For the land use planning study, we have been working with the University of Oregon to help
visualize what HCT in Tigard would look like. There is a lot of interest on the part of others to
hold a regional conference that's focused on Hwy 99W and the Downtown.
From a positive and proactive standpoint, Ron thinks it would be great if we could begin to have
leadership in the Downtown work with us on such things as the appearance of the Downtown,
holding events, define parking issues, and developer forums. He and Sean Farrelly have talked
about the importance of this community ultimately having a kind of economic development
function.
Ron reported that the City has a new events coordinator who organizes community events and
outreach activities. Commissioner Kutcher thinks it would be valuable for her to be a guest at some
point.
With regard to the City budget for next year, Ron said he is confident there won't be a need for
furloughs or layoffs next year. There will not be any new positions next year. We're in a position to
continue to fund redevelopment activities at the level we have been. We also have been able to get
money from Metro and the State to help pay for projects. With this extra money,we've been able
to stretch our budget.
The City recently reorganized our Engineering division into Public Works; this will not affect urban
renewal projects. With the reorganization, Engineering should be able to provide higher levels of
efficiency.
We're finishing up the Transportation System Plan update. We have a new Transportation
Advisory Committee to help with this project and to advise staff and address transportation/traffic
issues for all modes. They will also be working on some of the transportation issues Downtown.
The Planning Commission will continue to be involved in issues affecting urban renewal.
Ron thinks that such things as the Hwy 99W project, cleaning up property, events, leadership,
letting people know that we have 195 acres of property with large parcels, and developing
relationships can be the beginning of placemaking for Tigard. Placemaking is as much as about
activity and organization as it is about private investment.
There were questions about 2 projects on the CIP plan that are not current projects (the
Hall/Hunziker realignment and moving the Public Works facility to make it developable land). Ron
reported that the Hall/Hunziker realignment is expensive and dependent upon redevelopment of
the parcel to the northwest. Moving the Public Works facility is dependent upon finding a place for
them to go and then funding it. It is also an expensive project. The City has not had a sink fund in
the past (a fund in which you invest annually to pay for facility expansion). We're just beginning to
CCAC Meeting Minutes for January 13,2010 Page 3 of 7
do that, so this project will be a long term proposal. He also advised that the Fanno Creek house
will be remodeled and used as a community meeting hall.
It was asked how we would see to it that urban renewal projects being planned for don't obstruct or
interfere with the light rail project down Hwy 99W. Ron advised that there are some procedural
safeguards. Right now, our Mayor is on Metro's Joint Policy Advisory Committee on
Transportation QPACT). The design and alignment issues are being discussed at a highly
conceptual level. Acquisition of property and right-of-way is going to be a significant issue. An
important feature will be the possibility of having a station located in the Downtown and we need
to think about potentially where that could be. What could really affect the location of the station
would be a major investment by a firm building a big building. He does not think this will likely
happen.
It was noted that most stations have big parking areas which we're trying to avoid in the
Downtown. This might be a conflict. Perhaps we should reevaluate that as we address parking
issues with a long range plan for a station. That will make an impact on the map for Downtown.
Ron agreed that we'll need some parking, but hopefully by the time light rail gets here, we'll have
the kind of land use in the Downtown where people will be able to switch to alternate modes of
transportation and there will be less emphasis on the car.
ODOT's request to reduce the building heights from 6 stories to 3 stories because of the traffic
impact on Hwy 99W was brought up. How do we coordinate between ODOT's concern about
creating more traffic with 6 stories and Tigard building a demand for more forms of mass transit?
Sean advised that ODOT did specifically link leaving the existing height to the light rail high
capacity land use plan we're about to do. We'll get another chance to make the case that we need
higher scale development around the station. Their concern is that if we zone it for 6-8 stories and
there's no light rail for 15-20 years, then it will blow out their facility.
It was asked if there has been any kind of traffic impact study on I-205 since they've opened the
MAX green line. Staff will research that.
It was asked if there has been any discussion about alternative forms of transportation and how
TriMet will make changes to get people from neighborhoods to the transit centers without using
their cars. Ron said there has been a lot of conversation at the technical end and at JPACT. The
Regional Transportation Plan is full of those kinds of things. It's a challenge for suburban
neighborhoods that grew up without sidewalks. How we retrofit these communities to have
efficiency will be one of the challenges for urban planning and investment standpoints.
It was asked if JPACT has had a chance to look at the University of Oregon project. Ron said they
will. Council will be meeting with federal representatives and want to use some of the images to
encourage them to look at the corridor problem. In April, there will be a regional conference in
Portland. Metro has asked us to present the project to them prior to the conference. It will also be
a tool in our TGM grant project.
CCAC Meeting Minutes for January 13,2010 Page 4 of 7
Ron noted that Oregon is a large state with approximately 3 million people. There hasn't
necessarily been a culture of involvement in civic engagement in the urban areas because a lot of the
communities are relatively new. Other communities incorporated a century or so ago have an
entirely different sense and style. Another challenge that we have is to foster constructive
leadership. There needs to be a new generational change in terms of engagement. This happens
over time.
Action Items (Follow-Up or Votes): Staff will have a copy of the real estate economic advisor
RFQ at the retreat.
AGENDA ITEM #6: CCAC Priorities for FY 2010-11 Budget
Important Discussion and/or Comments: Sean advised that there are 2 parts of the budget—
the CCDA budget for urban renewal projects and the CIP budget (Exhibit A). The Commissioners
reviewed the current CCDA budget. The amount in the current Urban Renewal project budget is
closely linked to what the Urban Renewal increment was last year. The increment will have a
temporary increase this coming fiscal year due to a way the State assesses utilities. This increase will
be approximately $20,000. We shouldn't count on it being there for the following fiscal year. The
projects listed could be a starting point for next fiscal year. It was noted that any amount not spent
this fiscal year can be carried over to next year.
Commissioner Louw asked if it would be appropriate to study the needs of the Urban Renewal
District with the idea of establishing a sink fund. We could set money aside for a period of years to
accumulate enough so we're not always relying on grants and bonds for certain development within
the Urban Renewal District. Some of the projects will need a large amount of capital and if we
never start, we're never going to get there.
Commissioner Barkley noted that Urban Renewal money can only be used to repay debt incurred
through Urban Renewal. There was discussion about saving money unless there's a project that
warrants funding— not spending the money just because we have it and we can. Sean noted that
Council is very interested in what's happening Downtown. If something came up that needed
funding, the CCAC could advocate to Council to consider authorizing another kind of financing
rather than take it out of the sink fund.
There was support for continuing the Storefront Improvement Program and possibly increasing it
somewhat so it wouldn't have to be limited to 4 projects. Vice Chair Murphy brought up the
CCAC suggestions for Council goals next year: continue to pursue Downtown park and plaza
property acquisition; adopt the Downtown Circulation Plan as endorsed by the CCAC; continue
pursuit of the Ash Street at-grade crossing; include a gateway feature in the redevelopment of the
Hall/99W intersection; and promote development in Downtown Tigard. Of those, Council chose
to initiate developer outreach/recruitment, adopt a Downtown Circulation Plan, and the Ash Street
railroad crossing (5 year goal). He thinks we should keep these in mind as we recommend items for
the budget.
CCAC Meeting Minutes for January 13,2010 Page 5 of 7
It was noted that it's premature to put a gateway structure at the Hall/99W intersection given the
development that's there now. For now, property is being acquired and utilities are being stubbed
out. The gateway structure will be built sometime in the future, in connection with redevelopment
of surrounding properties.
Commissioner Louw suggested that the City post vacant Downtown properties on their website.
He thinks it could help the City with revenues. Commissioner Shearer said she has seen websites
from other cities with a link to available properties in their urban renewal districts.
Commissioner Ellis Gaut thinks the CCAC might consider the possibility of an option agreement
for purchasing park/plaza property. She noted that there had been discussion about a year ago, but
nothing was decided. Sean said it could be difficult to get an option without having the funding
source in place. It was suggested that the City look for alternative sites for the park and plaza site,
e.g., the old Public Works site. Sean noted that the plaza doesn't have to be a span of one project; it
could be tied in conjunction with private development as a private/public partnership. The real
estate advisor could help identify additional sites. Commissioner Barkley advised that Miller
Automotive has closed. That site is next to the old Public Works annex.
The Commissioners looked at the CIP/Downtown projects (also Exhibit A). The fully funded
projects are underway. Of the unfunded projects, the Hall/99W gateway will be put on the back
burner and the Fanno Creek Plaza will be held as a placeholder, along with an additional request for
land acquisition funds for open space in case the bond passes.
For the Sco ffins/Hall/Hunziker realignment, Commissioner Louw suggested budgeting money to
acquire property at that intersection, at least to acquire an option-to-buy that could be exercised in
the next 10 years. Sean believes the $75,000 shown in the unfunded column might be able to be
used for that. He recommended doing a development opportunity study on that site through the
CCDA Urban Renewal budget.
Action Items (Follow-Up or Votes): '1Thc Commissioners proposed the following priorities for
the 2010-11 budget:
• Fanno Creek Plaza— unfunded
• Land acquisition for public space — unfunded (funded if possible)
• Push out the Hall/99W gateway project for a year
• Continue to pursue the Hunziker/Scoffins realignment
• Continue to pursue the Ash Street railroad crossing
• Continue the CCDA program
AGENDA ITEM #7: Other Business
CCAC Meeting Minutes for January 13,2010 Page 6 of 7
Important Discussion and/or Comments: The Commission would like to know when and
where the Tigard Transportation Advisory Committee meets. The secretary will send that
information to the CCAC and see if their minutes are posted on the City's website.
With the recent earthquake and volcanic activity, Commissioner Hughes urged everyone to be
prepared. He advised that Tigard CERT has classes twice a year where people can take an 8-week
program and become a CERT member.
Vice Chair Murphy asked about the Downtown questionnaire responses. Chair Craghead said that
we can discuss it at length in February, but he wanted to get them out before the retreat so they
could provide background information.
Action Items (Follow-Up or Votes): As noted.
AGENDA ITEM #8: Adjournment
Important Discussion and/or Comments:
Action Items (Follow-Up or Votes): The meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m.
J1 ee Lewis, CCAC Secretary
ATTEST: J.
air A xander Craghead
CCAC Meeting Minutes for)anuary 13,2010 Page 7 of 7
City of Tigard Budget Calendar for Departments
January, 2010
22-Department budgets/CIP due to Finance
25-29-Dept & Finance meet to discuss department
budgets and new project list in CIP
1 Review CIP draft
8-12-Department meetings with City Manager
March, 2010
April, 2010
6-Exec Staff budget hearing preparation
12-Budget Committee meeting (operating units)
12-CCDA Budget Committee meeting
19-Budget Committee meeting (Issues)
26-Budget Committee meeting (Decisions)
3-Budget Committee meeting (if needed)
25-City Council budget hearing to approve
budget and CCDA budget
1
FY 2009-10 URBAN RENEWAL PROJECTS
Storefront Improvement Program- $40,000
To enhance the commercial atmosphere on Main Street, a storefront improvement program will be
developed. The budget includes funding for a pilot program that could be expanded in future fiscal
years. The budget will pay for technical assistance from professional architects as well as cash grants
to property or business owners who wish to improve their commercial building's facades. Program
standards (to be developed)will establish the criteria for projects,the number of projects to be
funded, and the required match from the participant.
Environmental Assessment- $15,000
Funds will be available for initial environmental assessments of potential Brownfield properties that
are candidates for redevelopment.
Redevelopment/Marketing/Real Estate Studies and Assistance- $95,000
This project consists of funding professional services (in real estate development and economics, ar-
chitecture, and other needed specialists) to foster the opportunities for the redevelopment and/or
renovation of properties. The goal is to increase the tax increment revenues in the urban renewal dis-
trict. A major program will be development opportunity studies to provide business and property
owners the technical assistance and resources to assess the feasibility of redeveloping properties in
the urban renewal district. Eligible pre-development activities include architectural, planning, and en-
gineering studies, and real estate market and financial analysis. This fund will also pay for the printing
oi.planning and promotional materials for the Downtown
Carryover Projects- $27,967
Two projects started in Fiscal Year 2008-9, the Downtown Circulation Plan and the Tigard Transit
Center Redevelopment Feasibility Study,will be completed in the new fiscal year.
Total: $177,967
s
CCDA ADOPTED BUDGET - PAGE 9
FiSC21 ie^r: 2909-2014 tcaritod ,.In
DOWNTOWN *F`RkJJECTtZ3i
FUMY FUNDED
Project Project •I 18_09
1 , 2009-10 2010.11 2011-1212013-14 L
8 00000 Ash Avenue Extension—Burnham to Railroad $500,000 $390,749 $890,749
9 97002 Burnham Street Reconstruction $1,640,000 $5,106,463 $3,000,000 $9,746,463
10 97003 Main Street/Green Street Retrofit $60,000 $60,000 $580,000 $700,000
TOTAL FUNDED $2,200,000 $5,557,212 $3,580,000 $11,337,212
UNFUNDED
PROJECTEDPa
ge Project Project Name 11' I 2009-10 11 1 I2013-14
11 00000 Hall Boulevard at Highway 99W Gateway $260,000 $75,000 $100,000 $435,000
12 97005 Fanno Creek Plaza $2,420,000 $2,457,000 $4,877,000
13 97006 Scoffins/Hall/Hunziker Realignment $75,000 $75,000
TOTAL UNFUNDED $2,680,000 $2,532,000 $100,000 $75,000 $5,387,000
City of Tigard
City Center Advisory Commission
Organizational Leadership and Capacity in Downtown Tigard
2009 Downtown Questionnaire Results Summary
January 13, 2010
Prepared by:
City Center Advisory Commission
Stakeholder Outreach Committee:
Carolyn Barky
Alexander Craghead
Pete Louw
Martha Wong
2009 Downtown Questionnaire Results Summary
2
Content& Background
In January,2009, the City Center Advisory Commission (CCAC)presented its Preliminary
Recommendation on Organizational Leadership& Capacity in Downtown Tigard to the City Center
Development Agency(CCDA).That recommendation laid out five specific actions for the City to
undertake:
1.)Setting of a downtown business strategy/policy.
2.) Improve public outreach efforts.
3.)Improve the local business climate.
4.)Consideration of a project-based grant program.
5.)Fast-tracking URD catalyst projects.
Following the presentation of the Preliminary Recommendation, the CCAC formed a committee,the
Stakeholder Outreach Committee, to help to shape a fmal recommendation. In order to achieve this final
recommendation,a questionnaire was created by the committee and circulated among downtown
stakeholders in November,2009.This report discusses the results of that survey.
Review of Preliminary Recommendation:
The following is the Preliminary Recommendation sent to the CCDA in January 2009.
Take a different approach. This option contemplates that the best way of achieving the goals set
out for the Commission is to utilize a variety of approaches[as outlined below]rather than
funding a specific association.
After careful consideration,the CCAC believes that there are other approaches to better achieve
organizational and leadership capacity in Downtown Tigard.
The CCAC believes that a conventional approach would invest far too much time,money,and effort in
organizational development,rather than making direct and meaningful improvements in the concerns
outlined in the goals section of this recommendation. However,the CCAC also believes that the City does
have a role in supporting the development of downtown that goes beyond providing major infrastructure
improvements. These actions may include activities ranging from marketing and branding to maintenance,
event hosting, and the fostering of better communication.
The CCAC believes that the best way to achieve these goals is on a case-by-case basis with solutions
tailored to specific problems. While identifying a customized,unified strategy towards engaging the
downtown will take more time than an"off-the-shelf'approaches such as an association,a decentralized
approach has the benefit of being able to be implemented far quicker.Targeted efforts at outreach,business
support,and communication can be implemented and adjusted based on how staff resources are allocated as
well as on the project priorities of the City/CCDA.
There are specific actions that the CCAC recommends the City take to help foster an environment in which
all stakeholders may thrive.These include:
• Setting of a downtown business strategy/policy. Although the CCAC has made many
recommendations for downtown projects as part of the urban renewal district,so far the commission has
not developed an area business policy for the City.Yet urban renewal projects will greatly shape land
use,rent rates,and the character of the business environment within downtown. The CCAC feels that it
should take the time as soon as practical to examine what its economic development goals are within
downtown, including what kind of businesses it is hoping to retain and/or attract, and then use this
policy as as approach to shape urban renewal activities.
• Improve public outreach efforts.The City can work towards fostering better relationships between
itself and stakeholders by utilizing creative approaches to public input that would maximize
communications. This might include greater one-on-one communication with key stakeholders,as well
as using less traditional input approaches such as charrettes and public workshops.
• Improve the local business climate. The City should examine the local business climate with an eye
2009 Downtown Questionnaire Results Summary
3
towards making improvements that would lead to greater success in downtown. Actions might include
the revision of"red tape" in downtown to make doing business easier,as well as engaging directly in
marketing&economic development activities
• Consideration of a project-based grant program.The CCAC recognizes that third parties such as
associations frequently are able to field interesting project ideas that are beneficial to downtown.The
CCAC therefore recommends that if the City wishes to fund such activities within downtown,that it
establish a clear and fair grant-based approach to the process.This would allow any organization
meeting qualifying criteria to apply for and potentially receiving funding for activities on a project
basis.This approach would largely eliminate many of the political pitfalls of direct funding and further
would clearly measure the disbursement of funds against clear goals for downtown.
• Fast-tracking URD catalyst projects. The City should make catalyst projects such as the public plaza
and various street improvements their number one priority and do everything within reason to achieve
them in the near term. This may include being willing to undertake an unusually high degree of
stakeholder communication as well as using a greater variety of approaches to complete these projects.
This recommendation meets the four goals identified earlier in this document:
1. Better champion and implement projects.By concentrating on making improvements directly"in the
ground"rather than on organization building,the City will be able to make a direct and beneficial
impact on Downtown Tigard more efficiently.
2. Manage the downtown at both the private and public levels.This recommendation recognizes the
inherently individualistic nature of Downtown Tigard's private sector. Rather than attempt to change
that,this option honors that uniqueness and instead works to find nontraditional solutions that will
encourage individual private sector stakeholders to manage their portions of downtown better.
3. Bring stakeholders together for Place Making. Rather than expending funds and time on the creation
of a new organization,the City has shown it is more than capable of bringing stakeholders together to
undertake Place Making,most notably through the award-winning TDIP process.The City would best
achieve Place Making by building on this experience and taking a central role in such efforts.
4. Strengthen relationships and improve communication between City and stakeholders. Currently
there are numerous URD projects and efforts that will require public input.The City should utilize these
requirements to take creative approaches that will build synergies between public input and community
building.
Questionnaire overview.
A questionnaire was prepared in October 2009 by the Stakeholder Outreach Committee. It consisted of
twelve questions,generally skewed towards being open ended so as to allow for the widest variety of
answers.
The questions asked were grouped around the recommendations made in the Preliminary Recommendation
as follows:
CCAC Recommendation: develop a business strategy.
1.)If we were to have a business strategy,what kind of business environment would you want to
see encouraged?
2.)In your view,what are the greatest challenges to doing business in downtown Tigard?
3.)When did you open a business in downtown Tigard and why do you continue to do business
here?
CCAC Recommendation: improve public outreach.
4.)Do you feel the city includes and informs you?
5.)How can the city better include and inform you?
6.)Are there specific ways you prefer to be communicated with?Examples: email,phone calls,
letters, fliers, web site, etcetera....
2009 Downtown Questionnaire Results Summary
4
CCAC Recommendation: improve the local business climate.
7.)How can we help and encourage businesses to locate in downtown?
8.)Are city policies and regulations supportive of business downtown, and if not where do we
need to make improvements?
9.)What other things could we do to improve business in downtown?
CCAC Recommendation: establish grant programs.
10.)The city currently is establishing a storefront improvement program. Should the city also
consider grants for other small projects--events, small public improvements,public art,etc... --
in downtown?
11.)Do you have some project ideas?
CCAC Recommendation: focus on completing urban renewal projects that generate economic activity.
12.)Of the downtown projects listed in the city's 2009-2014 Capital Improvement Plan (see list
below)which one or two are most important to downtown, and why?
- Hall Blvd. at Highway 99W Gateway.Creates an aesthetic gateway treatment at Hall&
99W.
- Scoffins/Hall/Hunziker Realignment. Relocates the south end of Scoffins at Hall Blvd. to
meet Hunziker Street.
-New Public Works Facility.Constructs a new Public Works facility outside of downtown
freeing up 7 acres of public land in downtown for redevelopment.
-Fanno Creek Plaza.Creates a public plaza and event space near Main&Burnham adjacent
to the existing Fanno Creek Park.
- Fanno Creek Park. Restores habitat in the existing park,relocates and rebuilds trails,creates
a new"upland"park adjacent to proposed plaza.
- Trails Projects(Various). Completion or extension of multi-use trails connecting downtown
to other nearby neighborhoods and areas.
- Sidewalk Projects(Various).Completion or construction of sidewalks on streets within or
leading into the downtown.
Over 400 questionnaires were mailed out with return addressed envelopes postage paid during early
November,with a two week deadline for returns.Thirty-four responses were returned,representing an
approximately 8.5%return rate.
Questionnaires have some inherent limitations. Respondents are self-selecting,which tends to bias
responses towards critical and praising extremes.Further,questionnaires are prone to receive responses that
do not address the questions provided.
Questions 1-3 Results
Questions 1 through 3 were meant to address the recommendation of creating a business strategy for
downtown Tigard.
l.) If we were to have a business strategy,what kind of business environment would you want to
see encouraged?
—44%Described a picture of what they would like the final outcome of downtown to be.General trends
included pedestrian activity, entertainment,small retail,and activities that would keep people in the area
for a given length of time.—18 percent pointed to problems needing solutions,such as a perception of high
taxes and fees and a city not friendly towards business. About 15%supplied no answer to the question.
--9%advocated no changes.One respondent openly opposed city involvement in economic development.
r
2009 Downtown Questionnaire Results Summary
5
2.)In your view,what are the greatest challenges to doing business in downtown Tigard?
—44%mentioned traffic or accessibility as a challenge to doing business in downtown.—41%mentioned
parking access.Note that in some cases it was not the existence but the quality of parking that was
mentioned.—12%faulted the City via taxes,regulations, and—12%pointed to the businesses themselves,
either from lack of cooperation or from the lack of the right mixture.—9%mentioned poor aesthetics.
Lesser factors mentioned were environmental concerns,and lack of residents.Two did not answer,and two
saw no problems with the current conditions.
3.)When did you open a business in downtown Tigard and why do you continue to do business
here?
—26%during the 2000s,—26%in the 1990s,—9%in the 1980s,—9%in the 1970s,—12%in the 1960s, one
in the 1950s and one in the 1930s, and 18%not answering.
For reasons to stay in Tigard,—18%cited closeness to their customers,—12%felt that moving would cost
too much,—12%liked the atmosphere of the community,—12%felt the location was convenient.Other
factors mentioned included visibility, interest in the future of the area. —18%provided no response.
Questions 4-6 Results
4.)Do you feel the city includes and informs you?
—35%said yes the city includes and informs them,—26%said"okay",—15%indicated that they did not
feel included or informed,—9%felt that the City does not listen to them, and—15%did not answer.
5.)How can the city better include and inform you?
-35%indicated a functional suggestion,ranging from a preference of format of communication to the
establishment of newsletters,email lists,a nd other forms,—15%were satisfied with current methods,
—12%provided off topic answers,—9%replied indicating the need for the City to listen to them more or
stating that the City did not conduct business at convenient times.
6.)Are there specific ways you prefer to be communicated with?Examples: email,phone calls,
letters, fliers, web site,etcetera....
—53%preferred email,—35%preferred letters,—18%fliers,—15%personal visits such as coffee or a drop-in,
two mentioned web sites, and—15%did not answer.
Question 7-9 Results
7.)How can we help and encourage businesses to locate in downtown?
Traffic and access,streetscape improvements,and general cleanliness and state of repair issues each tied
with—12%,parking,tax reduction,and business mixture all tied at—9%, two proposed regulatory reforms.
Less support was received for direct funding(grants or loans),regulatory reform,looser signage rules,
marketing projects or themes.Two were opposed to any programs at all,—12%answered off topic,and
—18%provided no answer.
8.)Are city policies and regulations supportive of business downtown, and if not where do we
need to make improvements?
—26%said no,—18%said yes,—12%provided off topic answers,—41%did not answer. Few provided
illustrations of what to change, but those who did,—24%suggested reductions in regulations.
'arr
r
2009 Downtown Questionnaire Results Summary
6
9.)What other things could we do to improve business in downtown?
---15%said improve parking experiences,—12%improve traffic/access,—12%improve streetscape. Other
ideas suggested included direct redevelopment activities,marketing, and safety improvements,as well as
reduction in taxes and fees and events sponsorships.—12%provided off topic responses,and---24%did not
respond at all.
Questions 10-11 Results
10.)The city currently is establishing a storefront improvement program. Should the city also
consider grants for other small projects--events, small public improvements,public art, etc...
in downtown?
—26%were generally favorable of the proposed projects,—18%opposed,—12%conditionally favorable.
—38%did not answer,and 2 provided off topic replies.
11.)Do you have some project ideas?
—18%said no they did not have a suggestion,and—53%did not answer at all. No particular suggestion or
suggestion trend emerged. Ides mentioned included historic themes,direct redevelopment activities,events,
parking development,reimbursement of existing businesses for improvements already made,sidewalk
improvements,and landscaping.
Question 12 Results.
12.) Of the downtown projects listed in the city's 2009-2014 Capital Improvement Plan (see list
below)which one or two are most important to downtown,and why?
• Hall Blvd. at Highway 99W Gateway.Creates an aesthetic gateway treatment at Hall&
99W.
• Scoffins/HaIVHunziker Realignment. Relocates the south end of Scoffins at Hall Blvd. to
meet Hunziker Street.
•New Public Works Facility.Constructs a new Public Works facility outside of downtown
freeing up 7 acres of public land in downtown for redevelopment.
•Fanno Creek Plaza.Creates a public plaza and event space near Main&Burnham adjacent
to the existing Fanno Creek Park.
• Fanno Creek Park. Restores habitat in the existing park,relocates and rebuilds trails,creates
a new "upland"park adjacent to proposed plaza.
• Trails Projects(Various).Completion or extension of multi-use trails connecting downtown
to other nearby neighborhoods and areas.
• Sidewalk Projects(Various).Completion or construction of sidewalks on streets within or
leading into the downtown.
—29%selected the Fanno Creek Plaza,--21%Sidewalk Projects,--15%Hall/99W,—12%
Scoffms/Hall/Hunziker,—9%Fanno Creek Park. Trails projects and the moving of the Public Works
building out of downtown were only considered important projects by one respondent each.
V Completeness Review
for Boards, Commissions
and Committee Records
CITY OF TIGARD
City Center Advisory Commission
Name of Board, Commission or Committee
January. 13, 2010
Date of Fleeting
I have verified that to the best of my knowledge, these documents are a complete copy of
the official record. I was not the original administrator for this meeting.
sy�-L1Lw
Name
k
Signature
Date