Portland Amazon Proposal: New Development Plan Sought For HQ Site

PORTLAND, OR — Less than a month ago, the 32-acre area recently named the Broadway Corridor was included in Portland's long shot pitch for Amazon's second headquarters. But now the city's urban renewal agency seeks applications for a master plan to redevelop the area, which includes city-owned blocks on and around the former Pearl District Post Office and encompassing Union Station.

Prosper Portland put out a call for submissions on Wednesday, saying it wants a developer with experience in public-private partnerships and a familiarity with mixed-use and mixed-income projects, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported.

But the agency said the action isn't a signal that the city gave up on the Amazon proposal, which didn't include any special incentives for the online retail giant. Officials have called it a long shot due to the city's proximity to the company's Seattle headquarters.

"We need to move forward with a master plan process regardless of who the tenants may be," Uhlman said.

If Amazon chooses Portland out of the 238 proposals it received last month, Uhlman said the company would be worked into the planning process.

Gustavo Cruz, chairman of the Portland agency, said in the request that the development area presents an opportunity to deliver affordable housing, environmentally friendly structures and public spaces.

"The Broadway Corridor will be a laboratory of inclusion and opportunity, changing Portland's downtown landscape in a way that touches residents from every neighborhood, income level and cultural community," he wrote.

Officials said they expect the development to bring in more than $1 billion in investments. The agency plans to select a developer in April and have a master plan ready in 2019.

Photo credit: Alan Diaz/Associated Press