[MissoulaGov] MissoulaGov Digest, Vol 30, Issue 3

[Bob Oaks]

Re: Urban Renewal

Seattle was a city buffeted by condo conversions and heavy downtown 
gentrification from the late 1980's through the present.  In partial 
response to the human costs of displacement, the City created an ordinance 
(Seattle Municipal Code 22.210.130) whereby, "Low-income tenants who are 
displaced by demolition, change of use, substantial rehabilitation, or 
removal of use restrictions, ....be paid by the City...relocation assistance 
[that] shall be adjusted annually by the percentage amount of change in the 
housing component of the Consumer Price Index..."

I don't know hou the funding mechanism is sourced.

The MRA has an obligation to assure relocation assistance to tenants who are 
displaced because of projects directly receiving MRA funds.  Unfortunately, 
I'm afraid that at times, regulatory loopholes related to project timing 
(when MRA actually becomes officially involved), could allow devlopers the 
opportunity to evade that intent.  I know that Ellen Buchanan and the MRA 
board are looking at housing policies that will go beyond that requirement 
and that will make proactive strategies to guarantee that some component of 
affordable housing be created in MRA's renewal districts.  I'm very much 
looking forward to see what comes from these current discussions.

Whatever we can come up with as a community, it will be none too soon.  It 
sounds like the Penwell might go the way of the Wilma and, now, the Babs. 
It's great seeing the rewards of this type of reinvestment but the social 
costs in displacing residents (and sometimes businesses) is not discussed 
nearly enough.  Thanks to everyone who has responded, so far, to add to that 
conversation.

Bob Oaks