What UNR does, and why

Portland grassroots group United Neighborhoods for Reform seeks to stem the demolition of viable, affordable housing. Our demolition/development resolution, developed through significant neighbor outreach, gathered endorsements from 43 neighborhood associations citywide. We also regularly take our message to City Hall, starting in December 2014, continuing in 2015 on Feb. 12, June 3 (UNR presenters start at 51:20), Oct. 14 (UNR at 1:07:35), and Nov. 25 (UNR at 1:05); in 2016 on Feb. 17, Nov. 9 and 16, and Dec. 7; in 2017 on May 17; in 2018 on Feb. 1; and many dates since.

"The time is always right to do what is right."
—Martin Luther King Jr.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

The resolution rolls toward City Hall

Going greener all the while: The resolution incentivizes retention of affordable
small homes instead of wasting them for living larger and less efficiently.
Neighborhoods highlighted in green back the resolution.
Maplewood, South Portland, and Richmond have endorsed the demolition/development resolution. This last vote of support brings to mind last summer's community walks conducted by the Bureau of Planning. (I'll add back the "and Sustainability" when Portland stops wasting old-growth homes.)

City planner Barry Manning (middle) waits for the neighbors
turning up to take a walk in Richmond last summer.


Neighbors at the Richmond event almost wanted to mutiny. "We don't need to go on any walk," one neighbor shouted. "We can settle this right here." City planner Barry Manning managed to keep things on track. Hopefully, some of those same neighbors turned out last night at Richmond's meeting to show their support for more thoughtful planning and development that benefits all.

There's a lengthy writeup on the resolution at BikePortland.org, just wishing "density" never made it in the headline. United Neighborhoods for Reform takes no position on density. It only aims to maintain our stock of affordable housing, and to encourage more positive development in the neighborhoods.

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