The city of Portland has released a draft version of its Economic Opportunities Analysis, a strategic framework guiding how the city will support employment expansion over the next two decades. This document identifies anticipated job growth zones, highlights industries with strong development potential, and estimates land and infrastructure requirements to sustain economic activity. The Proposed Draft, now under review by the Portland Planning Commission, incorporates public feedback and introduces updated policies aimed at balancing industrial development with environmental conservation.
Public testimony is being collected ahead of a commission vote that will shape recommendations for the City Council, which holds final decision-making authority. Residents can submit written comments via an online Map App or by mail before January 13 at 4 p.m., or register in advance to deliver oral statements during the upcoming hearing.
The strategy recognizes Portland’s economic diversity across distinct geographic areas. The Central City, serving as the region’s primary employment center, faces challenges such as elevated office vacancy rates and evolving work behaviors following the pandemic. To revitalize this area, proposals include permitting mixed-use conversions in underutilized commercial spaces, encouraging adaptive reuse of existing buildings, and increasing residential development opportunities.
Neighborhood business districts, vital for local commerce and proximity-based employment, struggle with inconsistent occupancy and rising upgrade costs. Recommended actions involve simplifying permit procedures, lowering financial barriers, and supporting flexible or short-term business models. Institutions like universities and hospitals—anchor employers offering stable, well-paying jobs—face hurdles due to high construction expenses and regulatory complexity. Suggested improvements include easing zoning rules, promoting denser development, and enhancing transportation access.
Residential neighborhoods are increasingly hosting home-based enterprises, remote workers, and care providers. To support this trend, the draft proposes eliminating bureaucratic obstacles for home businesses and allowing small, detached workspaces on residential lots.
A significant focus is placed on preserving and expanding industrial land, which historically supports middle-income employment and underpins regional economic resilience. Constraints include contaminated sites, ecological protections, and inadequate infrastructure. Analysis of various policy scenarios suggests that moderate environmental updates—such as those aligned with the Columbia Corridor Industrial Lands Ezone initiative—would minimally affect overall development capacity without disrupting current operations. Remediation of brownfields and targeted public investment are seen as key drivers for unlocking new industrial space.
Following the January 13 public hearing, the Planning Commission will hold work sessions on January 27 and February 24, with a final recommendation expected by the latter date. City Council will then evaluate a refined draft based on this input, offering additional opportunities for public engagement.
— news from City of Portland, Oregon (.gov)
— News Original —
Provide testimony on strategies to promote job growth and economic prosperity in Portland
About the Economic Opportunities Analysis and the Proposed Draft n nThe Economic Opportunities Analysis provides the foundation for how Portland plans for job growth over the next 20 years. It outlines where Portland’s job growth is expected to occur, which industries are poised to grow, and how much land and infrastructure will be needed to support them. n nThe Proposed Draft is the latest version of the Economic Opportunities Analysis, which will be considered by the Portland Planning Commission. It proposes refined policies based on public feedback – including strategies to balance natural area protections and industrial job growth. n nThe Planning Commission will hear public testimony on the topic and will vote on a recommendation to City Council – the final decision-maker. n nRead the Proposed Draft and learn more n nDifferent strategies for different areas of Portland n nPortland’s economy depends on a diverse set of business districts and employment areas, each with a distinct role in supporting the city’s prosperity. The Proposed Draft sets high-level policy for each geography based on employment trends, development patterns and key opportunities. n nPortland’s Central City is the region’s largest and most diverse employment hub. It also faces post-pandemic trends of high office vacancy rates and shifts in work patterns. n nKey strategies to strengthen the Central City include allowing for a greater diversity of uses in historically office- and retail-dominated areas and vacant spaces, promoting adaptive reuse, and expanding housing opportunities. n nNeighborhood business districts support small businesses, provide everyday services, and create jobs close to where people live. These districts face challenges related to uneven commercial occupancy, shifting market demand, and costs barriers to upgrade spaces. n nKey strategies to promote neighborhood business districts include encouraging hybrid and temporary uses, reducing permitting complexity and cost, and exploring local investment tools. n nCampus institutions are anchored by hospitals, colleges, and universities, and tend to provide living wage jobs and essential services to the region. They face challenges related to high construction costs, infrastructure constraints, and complex permitting and zoning pathways. n nKey strategies for campus institutions include supporting densification, streamlining zoning, promoting better use of campus edges, and improving transportation investments. n nResidential areas increasingly support a mix of small-scale businesses, remote work, care services, and community institutions. n nKey strategies for residential areas include removing permitting hurdles for home-based businesses, and enabling small, detached business structures. n nA focus on industrial land n nMany of the proposed policies in the Proposed Draft focus on industrial land. These areas historically have provided middle-wage jobs that are accessible to workers without a four-year degree and serve as a foundation for the region’s economy. Yet, industrial land supply is constrained by brownfields, important natural area protections, and insufficient infrastructure. n nThe project team collected feedback on scenarios that tested how varying degrees of environmental protection, setback standards, and investment levels would affect the availability of industrial land. The analysis indicated that moderate environmental updates – such as those proposed by the concurrent Columbia Corridor Industrial Lands Ezone project – will only constrain a small percentage of overall development capacity and will not impact current operations. It also showed that brownfield remediation and public infrastructure investment can have substantial impacts on unlocking new land. n nThis proposed scenario is included in the Proposed Draft and reflects community interest in balancing job-ready land and environmental protection and focusing on brownfield remediation. n nHow to submit testimony n nThe Proposed Draft will be considered by the Portland Planning Commission during an upcoming hearing on Jan. 13. There are two ways to submit testimony to the Planning Commission: n nSubmit written testimony through the project’s Map App by Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 4 p.m. or by U.S. mail. n nMail testimony to: n nPortland Planning Commission n nCEI Hub Policy Project Testimony n n1810 SW 5th Ave, Suite 710 n nPortland, OR 97201 n nGive verbal testimony at the hearing. To submit verbal testimony, pre-register for the meeting by Monday, Jan. 12 at 5 p.m. n nNext steps n nAfter the public hearing on Jan. 13, the Planning Commission will discuss the proposal during work sessions on Jan. 27 and Feb. 24. The Planning Commission is anticipated to vote on its recommendation to the City Council on Feb. 24. n nProject staff will then develop a Recommendation Draft based on the Planning Commission’s recommendation, which will be considered by the City Council – the final decision-maker. There will be future opportunities to testify to City Council.