Plan to be amended

Portland Redevelopment Commission this morning took steps to begin amending its economic development plan.
It also discussed what should be done with the Bailey Building.
The commission previously created a plan for how it will spend its funds, and city council approved it. It now needs to amend the economic development plan it created in 2006 to include the plan for its funds.
City attorney Bill Hinkle said it will take about 90 days before the commission can adopt the amendment.
The commission approved moving forward with the changes, which must now go to Portland Plan Commission and Portland City Council for approval.
Then the commission must set a public hearing to discuss the changes, and the amendment will enter a remonstrance period before a final vote by the commission. After that, council must approve the changes a second time.
Hinkle said state law requires the commission to follow the same process it did when it first adopted the plan.
“This is a very detailed process,” Hinkle said. “That’s why it’s critical to make sure the projects and estimated costs of the projects fall within your guidelines.”
The plans for the commission’s funds include giving money to education, parks and recreation projects, infrastructure, airport runway expansion, downtown revitalization, Brownfield cleanup and a TIF district expansion study.
None of those funds can be officially designated to any projects until the process is complete.
Commission members Tom Young, Mike Simons, Mark Clemens and Joe Johnston also discussed the commission’s role in dealing with the Bailey building, which is located on Main Street next to Schmit Chiropratic.
Clemens met with one of the building’s owners and Mike Schwartz, who inspected the building, and gave Clemens an estimated cost of dealing with the buildings structure.
Schwartz recommended the buildings adjacent to the Bailey building be inspected before any work is done.
Both of those buildings are privately owned, which takes the issue out of the commission’s hands, Clemens said.
“That’s kind of where it sits,” Clemens said. “The numbers … they are extensive.”
Young said he felt good that two of the three most dilapidated downtown buildings — the McClurg building and Tom and Rod’s building — have new owners.
“Those are hopefully off our table at the moment, and that’s a relief. This other building is a substantial concern and we just need to keep on with the process,” Young said. “I don’t know if there’s anything else we can do at this point … I think we just have to wait and see.”
Mayor Randy Geesaman said board of works will be discussing what should be done with the Bailey building regarding public safety at its November meeting.
In other business today, the commission, absent Brooke Aker:
•Approved paying Hinkle, Racster and Schemenaur P.C. $3,100 for legal services.
•Learned additional costs for the Lafayette Street extension are pending.
Geesaman said rain washed away seed at the site, and the seed needs to be replaced.
The city will be responsible for 20 percent of the cost.