As Bend’s Core Area continues to evolve, Brooks Resources remains committed to supporting thoughtful urban renewal and long-term community growth. From identifying and reducing key barriers to unlocking private investment, Bend’s Core Area is facing a moment of opportunity. Dale Van Valkenburg, our Director of Planning and Vice Chair of Bend’s Core Area Advisory Board (CAAB), recently weighed in on this pivotal moment for the district.
The CAAB has approved a new five-year work plan aimed at accelerating redevelopment in the Bend Central District (BCD). This plan was spearheaded by Dale and Corie Harlan, chair of the Core Area Advisory Board and Cities and Towns Program Director with land use nonprofit Central Oregon LandWatch. While the plan still has to be approved by the Bend Urban Renewal Area (BURA), CAAB’s approval signals a strategic shift: moving away from public infrastructure spending and toward direct support for private developers. The goal? Assist stalled projects by using Urban Renewal dollars to close the financial gaps in project proformas and catalyze investment in one of Bend’s most promising urban zones.
Key Priorities for the Core Area:
- Relocate the Bottle Drop: Identified as a major barrier to investment, its relocation is a top priority.
- Target High-Return Properties: Focus on parcels with strong redevelopment potential and tax increment revenue generation.
- Close Financial Gaps: Use Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to help developers overcome cost hurdles.
- Master Plan City-Owned Land: Explore civic uses for city-owned properties within the BCD, such as a future city hall to provide clarity for developers.
- Extend Hawthorne Crossing: Improve connectivity to Juniper Park and surrounding areas to avoid a “bridge to nowhere.”
Brooks Resources is in favor of a proactive approach and sees potential for meaningful progress if the right tools and partnerships are activated. As Dale noted in a recent Bend Bulletin article, “Rather than setting up the roadside stand and hoping somebody stops in, let’s go knock on doors.”
While Brooks Resources currently has no active development plans in the BCD, we’re optimistic that resolving these foundational issues could pave the way for future projects. We’re proud to be part of the conversation and look forward to supporting Bend’s vision for a vibrant, inclusive urban core.
For a deeper dive into the recent CAAB meeting and the broader implications for Bend’s urban renewal efforts, check out this recent Source Weekly article.
