PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Portland’s appetite for more housing is eating up some local restaurants and other popular businesses.
The Portland Development Commission is in on plans for a new affordable housing complex in Southeast Portland. The 2 buildings will add 126 affordable apartment units and 19 market-rate units to the area.
But on Northwest Glisan and 14th, several other restaurants are hoping that newly-announced plans for development don’t become reality.
The owner of Touche’, who has leased the historic Firehouse building for 25 years told KOIN 6 News he was caught off guard when he heard a developer wnats to build a 12-story building on the site, with 150 market-rate apartments.
The project would also bump Hawaiian Time restaurant out of its building on the same block. They lease from the same property owners.
“These buildings have character. They’re what makes the Pearl the Pearl,” said Janice Beatty, who works at the Hawaiian Time. “Having lived here the last 3 years I just really see it changing and it doesn’t feel like my same neighborhood anymore. It makes me sad.”
KOIN 6 News checked and the developer has not yet applied for demolition permits, but they did fiel an early assistance applicaiton with the city for the mixed-use building that would include ground floor retail space.
The first pre-application conference to discuss the development will happen April 20.
KOIN 6 News will continue to follow this story.
Filed under: Civic Affairs, Multnomah County, Portland, Top Video
