Which city gets the land?

Who gets land next to I-5 between Wilsonville and Tualatin?  If the area becomes industrial or employment use, then either city would be lucky to have it and the increased property taxes it would bring, though the suburban office market is mercurial and very sensitive to the ups and downs of the economy.  Anything residential will suck more general fund money from a city's coffers than will ever be regained in tax revenue.  Though, if every house was over a million dollars, and they were all placed close together to make utility expansion less costly....  The jury is out on the benefits of mixed use - so far station communities are not self-sustaining and have not produced the kind of gains planners had hoped for.

July 3, 2014

Wilsonville, Tualatin seek development ideas for 850 acres next to I-5

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Alyssa Walker

The cities of Tualatin and Wilsonville are gathering input on how to develop the 850-acre Basalt Creek area along Interstate 5

Wendy Culverwell

Staff Reporter-Portland Business Journal

Two Portland suburbs are asking for feedback as they contemplate the future development of 850 acres within their borders.

The cities of Tualatin and Wilsonville are soliciting public comment through July 14 on the Basalt Creek area, a high-profile parcel of land that abuts I-5 just south of its junction with I-205.

Metro brought the area into the urban growth boundary in 2004 to accommodate new development in the region.

The survey will remain up until July 14. It asks community members to comment on the types of land uses that should be allowed — employment, commercial, residential and recreational.

The Basalt Creek Concept Plan will influence the future boundary between Tualatin and Wilsonville as well as land use, parks, transportation and urban services such as water, sewer and stormwater.

Wendy Culverwell covers sustainable business, manufacturing and law.