Urban Renewal & Tax Increment Financing

ECONorthwest applies rigorous technical analysis and models to help governments leverage funds for urban renewal.

Urban renewal is one of the most powerful tools that local governments have to alleviate blight, and stimulate new development. ECONorthwest staff have extensive experience in all aspects of urban renewal, including:

• Initial feasibility studies
• Writing and adopting urban renewal plans and reports
• Tax increment finance projections to support bond sales and other loans
• Creating public-private partnerships to implement urban renewal projects
• Closing down successful urban renewal areas

Our technical analysis is unparalleled, and we have created cutting edge models to help jurisdictions accurately forecast tax increment finance (TIF) revenues. In recent years, these TIF forecasts have been included in feasibility studies supporting the sale of over $200 million in urban renewal bonds.

Beyond our technical expertise, we understand the political and market forces that determine the ultimate success of urban renewal areas. We have helped cities navigate the many political challenges that often stand in the way of plan adoption. We have a passion for implementation, and have worked for both public and private developers to forge partnerships, negotiating development deals that bring new life to blighted areas.

ECONorthwest is an associate member of the Association of Oregon Redevelopment Agencies (AORA), and is a coauthor of the 2012 update to the AORA Best Practices Manual. Since 2008, ECONorthwest has completed urban renewal projects for the following cities and counties in Oregon:

• Portland
• Gresham
• Beaverton
• Lake Oswego
• Hillsboro
• Canby
• Tualatin
• Tillamook
• Sherwood
• Phoenix
• Clackamas County
• Columbia County
• Washington County

Interested in learning more about how ECONorthwest can help you with your next project? Our toolbox is full and our staff enjoy meeting new challenges.