Growth is Inevitable. Gentrification is not.
As momentum builds around developing the Bend Central District we continue to support projects that will balance the inevitability of increasing prices throughout Bend as a whole. We must do the work to create viable housing, infrastructure and transportation options for those that keep this city running: workers, teachers, parents, young adults, retirees.
The Source Weekly recently published an article and created a video featuring an interview with our very own Moey Newbold on the the momentum that's building around the momentum building around the Bend Central District.
“We’ve seen this play out in cities across the United States, is that when change like this happens, things will improve for the people who already live here—streets will get safer for biking and walking and people have more access to amenities, but the challenge can be that people get displaced who might live nearby, or the rents go up or businesses who rent might have their building redeveloped.””
“So, what we’re really hoping is that together we can all re-envision a new type of community redevelopment that’s actually building on the community’s wealth.”
Equitable Development Strategies
As development projects are implemented in the Bend Central District, property values will increase. To mitigate displacement we developed six equity strategies based on policy research and learnings from other communities. We advocated for their inclusion in the Core Area Plan before it was finalized by the Urban Renewal Advisory Board (URAB). Central Oregon LandWatch, our sponsor organization, and members of the public submitted comments asking the URAB to consider the needs of vulnerable populations and existing businesses and residents.
At their final meeting on April 14, 2020, URAB approved modifications that responded to these comments! Read our post about the accepted modifications from last April.
