Hillsdale Town Center

Background

The Hillsdale community is one of thirteen regionally defined town centers in the Portland Metropolitan region.  Hillsdale Town Center benefits include: close proximity to downtown Portland and the Oregon Health Sciences University, a stable housing stock, active stakeholders and community serving organizations, a thriving, if limited, commercial retail center located in the heart of the town center, a new public library, large and easily accessible open spaces, frequent transit service, high-performing local public schools with growing enrollment, a successful and growing farmers’ market, and an extensive pedestrian trails program.

Ten years following the adoption of the Hillsdale Town Center plan, the area remains healthy, yet unfulfilled.  In addition, the community has expressed a strong desire to further develop as a ‘model’ town center.  Although ‘model’ has not yet been clearly defined, some central themes have emerged including:  sustainability, stabilized public school enrollment, development of a significant public plaza, creation of a main street environment along a state highway corridor, better physical connections with the nearby single-family residential areas, expanded retail and housing choices, and expansion of the public school to serve as a community center.

Purpose

Working with community members, local businesses, Portland Public Schools and Metro, Bureau of Planning staff explore opportunities to further implement the adopted Hillsdale Town Center Plan through an urban design alternatives and phased development strategy (Development Strategy) process.

Accomplishments and Next Steps

Over the past year, City staff has conducted a town center assessment, a retail customer intercept survey, brokered an agreement to install a 100,000 kWh solar array on the Rieke Elementary school site, and initiated due-diligence research on the development potential of vacant City-owned property in the area.  A business owner survey was conducted to inform the urban design alternatives and address the economic vitality of the commercial area.

The Bureau of Planning is worked with SERA Architects to develop design alternatives through a series of public meetings.  Three public meetings were held during September through November 2008 at the Wilson High School cafeteria.

The Phased Development Strategy was completed in March 2009 with implementation planned to begin in mid-2009.

Public Involvement

Through partnership with and involvement of the Hillsdale Neighborhood Association and Business Association, the Hillsdale Alliance, the Hillsdale Working Group, Portland Public Schools, and numerous community stakeholders, the urban design alternatives and phased development strategy was developed and defined.  As a result, the community and City have created a strategy for implementing physical changes in the town center that will better serve existing residents and visitors while setting the stage for future growth and quality of life enhancements.

Contact

For more information, please contact Brian Sheehan, West District Planner, at 503-823-3111 or brian.sheehan@ci.portland.or.us.