Elsewhere on the Web - Smart Summary of Local Pols, Gentro

This is Weblogging: today at More Hockey Less War a pleasantly intelligent summarization of some local political contests, in the context of a well-considered rundown of how various local political traditions all tend to favor gentrification.

The historic split in municipal politics has come between real estate developers, who want to maximize the value of their land by increasing density, and those who have stood in their way: neighborhood preservationists and environmentalists.

Siding with the developers, you often find labor, since commercial real estate development usually means union jobs.

But a funny thing happened on the way to global warming. The developers managed to co-opt environmentalists with the idea of “smart growth.” Without the environmental movement in their way, the developers now have virtual carte blanche to run things as they please.

One of the only constituencies left in opposition to this juggernaut are those who oppose gentrification and favor rent controls, that is, people who are virtually powerless by definition.
http://morehockeylesswar.org/blog/archive/2008/04/21/charting_portlands_political_landscape/

Steve's characterization of the mayor contest between Adams and Dozono leaves me barely capable of pulling the lever for Sam. I suppose I'd better look into the fringe candidates and find a freak I can use to lodge a protest vote. And unhappily, pro-rent-stabilization candidate for city council Ed Garren hasn't managed to get within anything like striking distance of frontrunners Fish and Middaugh. In any event I heartily recommend reading Steve's agreeable analysis.

Comments

[Steve R.]

If you find a fringe candidate worthy of your vote, let me know. I'm definitely on the market for an alternative to Sam "too much affordable housing" Adams and Sho "Wal-Mart" Dozono.

[petrichor]

"The historic split in municipal politics has come between real estate developers, who want to maximize the value of their land by increasing density, and those who have stood in their way: neighborhood preservationists and environmentalists".

historical preservation is one of the most effective tools of the gentrifier. it's so obvious its almost self-evident; what is the effect of preservation? to raise the cost of owning a home. to raise the value of the homes in the neighborhood. and don't forget how the historic preservation property tax abatements have been abused to build historic "lofts" in the pearl.

watch "flag wars" to see it laid out in gruesome detail:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0359281/

[Steve R.]

I should have been careful to distinguish between "neighborhood preservation" and "historic preservation."

What I'm talking about is preserving the character -- i.e. the socio-economic mix, and the mix of businesses and housing stock -- of a neighborhood, not the renovation of historic buildings.

The gentrification trend in Portland may have some element that abuses historic preservation to maximize value, but the biggest part of it is about building monoculture condo towers, which significantly outstrip historic renovation in terms of maximizing property value.

[native portlander]

There is NO WAY that I will or could vote for Sam-the-Tram. I can't think of a single idea that he has shoved down our throats that I've liked. While some say that Sho is a city hall crony, there is nothing worse (IMHO) than a career politician like Sam-the-Tram. I will HAPPILY vote for Sho. An additional plus if Sho wins is that Sam is gone as a politico in city hall. His commissioner job will be gone and he won't be the mayor. GO SHO!!!!

[John Peterson]

I'd have to include myself in the environmentalist and preservationist (as you define it above) camps---I guess for a while I was taken with the whole density or "smart growth" thing---"...if there is going to be development then let it be dense to prevent sprawl..." Except now it is evident to me that we are getting density and sprawl. The density is wrecking my neighborhood and sprawl is wrecking the burbs. Either way, developers are being coddled-- they are being allowed or encouraged to build crap and pass along most of the costs to the taxpayers.

So part of the problem is government encouraging growth, "smart" or otherwise. But another part of the problem is overpopulation. There are too many people competing for dwindling resources. We need to shrink not grow.

John

[PG]

Really. Whatever happened to concerns about overcrowding and population growth? Seems they, along with "Buy American," evaporated sometime during Ronnie's first term...

[Fred Stewart]

It is not just developers that want to get the most they can out of their property. The Banks are on the line too. Very few developers fund their own projects. Most use other peoples money....mostly banks to finance their developments. A bank usually expects if not demands the developer develop their investment to its highest use....profit. Find a bank that does not flaunt this expectation and you will be looking at a bank that will not be a bank for very long.

[PG]

Well said, Mr. Stewart. Thanks again for reading and furnishing your comments on these issues. Let's hope that whatever the outcome of this race, the issues raised by your candidacy - and that of Ed Garren - help move the debate in the right direction.

[petrichor]

steve r,

my bad, i might have been able to figure it out if i tried.

[Jack Bog]

Write in Sal Kadri for mayor.

http://bojack.org/2008/04/now_that_opies_gone.html