Kudos to the Blazers and the city for pursuing this, but I'm not sure there is any hope or need for a successful redevelopment of the RQ. The current RQ is not causing any problems, it's just a case of unmet potential. Maybe it's best to just let it drop. The current situation is sustainable, if somewhat pathetic. Building a baseball stadium in place of the MC was the right idea, but that didn't work out for reasons I don't completely understand. The RQ isn't going to turn into Alberta St no matter what, and Portland isn't really interested in having a bunch of cheesy midwest Bubba Gump/Hooters chain crapola close-in either. What would really restore the RQ, but can't be done due to humongous costs, is to bury the RG and the parking garages underground (it's not like either of them need windows), and restore the street grid. That would be the recipe for a thriving stadium district. barfo
The primary driver behind redevelopment is demand due to economic growth. Portland has become economically sclerotic. Redevelopment should wait until there's actually some private sector demand. The silly decision to keep the MC really killed development opportunities here, IMO. It robbed the best views and a ton of usable square footage.
jesus, they've been talking about this shit for-fucking-ever. just build a fucking commons area and redevelop that shit. Would be dope to have some nice areas like that on the eastside instead of parking lots. what a bunch of bureaucratic bullshit.
If they factor in local Small Business's to the design the place will boom, it's all about giving Portlanders the space to get creative, If you look at every neighborhood that has done this in Portland it has transformed, ie: saturday market, the pearl to some extent, Mississippi, Alberta, SE, food carts everywhere etc, these unique areas drive tourism and spending in P-town. The possibilities are endless, I'm glad their taking time to get in right
