Washington State’s cities, counties, and ports have long been burdened with a disadvantage when undertaking downtown revitalization or economic development projects: they cannot fund projects using tax increment financing (TIF).

But earlier this year, the state enabled Local Revitalization Financing (LRF), a TIF-type funding tool with the power to generate significant funds for local economic development projects. LRF allows local governments to create redevelopment areas where property taxes from a variety of taxing districts are matched with sales tax revenue that normally accrues to the state. The redevelopment areas can issue bonds based on anticipated revenues, which will give numerous cities the potential to raise millions in funds for up front capital improvements.

There are a number of challenges associated with LRF. Local governments must quickly prepare and submit applications to the state—ideally by September 1, 2009. State matching funds are limited and applicants must demonstrate that a variety of conditions have been met in order to receive funds. For example, communities must show that the implementing LRF will attract significant private sector investment that would not otherwise occur.

If you are interested in finding out more about how your community can secure LRF funds, call or email Brian Vanneman at Leland Consulting Group. We’re excited about putting LRF to use and advancing quality urban projects in the Evergreen State!

Leland Consulting Group is excited to congratulate associate Tina Mosca on recently earning LEED Accredited Professional status from the US Green Building Council. LEED AP is the industry standard certification for architects and urban planners able to apply green building expertise to both buildings and neighborhoods. Email Tina or principal Chris Zahas to discuss integrating sustainability into your next project.

Although the terminology has evolved, creating places that are both environmentally and economically sustainable has long been a part of Leland Consulting Group’s work, in our downtown revitalization, transit-oriented development, and other projects. As sustainability moves rapidly from the periphery to the main stream, our work in sustainable communities and projects has accelerated.

Current project work includes work on one of the country’s largest LEED Neighborhood Development (LEED ND) “pilot projects,” a variety of other districts and neighborhoods based on sustainable and smart growth principals, efforts to bring LEED-ND thinking to downtowns, and collaboration on a forthcoming book on sustainable community planning.

Leland Consulting Group is very happy to announce that on Friday, May 29, the Oregon Senate approved a new state Transportation Bill. Among the many projects to be funded by the $960 million bill is the Interstate 205 – Highway 213 “Jughandle” roadway improvement project in Oregon City.

As Leland Consulting Group has worked with Oregon City to demonstrate, this is exactly the type of project that state and federal stimulus dollars should be funding: it will create construction jobs in the short term, act as an entryway into one of the metropolitan area’s nine designated Regional Centers, and—most importantly—spur more than $300 million in private sector investment over the long term. Leland Consulting Group believes that in order to achieve lasting economic recovery, state and local governments will be best served by identifying and investing in transportation projects that spur new employment, retail, and residential development.

Click here for more about the State of Oregon Transportation Bill.

On September 4th 2008, Dave Leland delivered a presentation at Portland’s Central City Commercial Development Symposium titled “Downtown Portland Retail: the most visible part of the city’s heart” (available here). Portland is known for its active downtown and progressive urban planning—but Dave pointed out that while downtown’s retail remains healthy, it is also vulnerable. Rents remain strong, vacancies are relatively low, and new residential, office, and hotel development will support retail expansion. But like other American cities, downtown Portland must contend with stiff competition from suburban lifestyle centers and big boxes, perceptions that the core is unsafe, and the challenges of maintaining a cohesive marketing strategy.

On September 25, Dave Leland received a “Leadership of Distinction” award from the Urban Land Institute’s Oregon / SW Washington Chapter. The awards honor people, places and programs that epitomize the group's mission of “providing leadership in the responsible use of land an in creating and sustaining thriving communities.”

In presenting the award, committee leader John Hartsock stated that, “Dave Leland has proven to be a leader in the field and worthy of recognition. For many Dave is a role model who is living the ULI mission. He sends a consistent message and is an outside the box thinker with a unique set of skills – part real estate market whisperer, part designer, part story teller.”

Indeed, Dave has been involved in a number of developments throughout the Portland region that have set the standard for creative place making in a part of the country know for the quality of its built environment, including River Place, Tualatin Commons, Murrayhill, and Lake View Village. Through his career, Dave has also advised public and private development organizations throughout Oregon and the nation.