Oregon Public Broadcasting

Portland's  low-income advocates voiced objections today Thursday to a proposal that would reduce how much affordable housing will be built in a neighborhood designated for a new baseball park. Rob Manning reports.

Portland requires that  30% of the money raised in urban renewal districts be spent on affordable housing in those neighborhoods. 

City commissioner Randy Leonard told Lents residents earlier this week if that district spends 40 million dollars on a new Triple-A ball park, the city could reduce the district’s affordable housing obligation. Leonard says other renewal areas would make up for what Lents couldn’t do.

But Michael Anderson with the affordable housing advocacy group, Oregon Opportunity Network, says low income housing shouldn't just be shifted from one neighborhood onto others.

Michael Anderson: “In every single district, there is the impact on lower-income and middle-income residents that currently live in the neighborhood, when urban renewal raises the property values.”

City leaders are still negotiating with sports owner, Merritt Paulson, over a financing deal to build a baseball park and renovate PGE Park for Major League Soccer.