Let Us Come Together to Refresh our Town Center Plan

As we watch new homes being built, curse the increasing traffic, yet lament empty storefronts, it’s obvious Wilsonville is going through growing pains. It is clear we cannot stop growth. What we can do is plan and guide growth that is manageable and beneficial for our residents and businesses.

The City of Wilsonville has such a plan in place with the Town Center Plan (TCP), but like any good plan, it needs ongoing refinement and funding to make it work right through changing times. The TCP was formally adopted in 2019 and amended in 2021.

So, what is the Town Center Plan, how was it developed, what is needed to implement it, and what are misconceptions about it?

What is the Town Center Plan?  It’s a guide for Wilsonville’s Town Center that offers improved driving routes, convenient parking, shopper-friendly walking paths from business to business that encourages community engagement and social interaction. This results in a vibrant downtown and provides services our residents clearly need and want.  This plan is far better than the increasingly impractical Town Center configuration built decades ago.  We need a vibrant and convenient Town Center that all residents can use and enjoy.

How was the Town Center Plan developed? The TCP was community-driven, with active participation from hundreds of Wilsonville residents, business owners, employees, service providers, regional and state agency partners, city officials and staff.  It was the result of more than one hundred community meetings, open houses, workshops, surveys, and focus groups. This plan was designed by our community for our community. Throwing out the plan would disenfranchise the many segments of our community who thoughtfully contributed.

What is needed to implement the Town Center Plan?  Funding of essential public infrastructure is needed. Wilsonville has always done this through Urban Renewal Districts. Previous Wilsonville Urban Renewal Districts have generated hundreds of millions in funding for improvements including streets, traffic signals, sewer and utilities, athletic fields, and other amenities residents expect, including at Murase Plaza, Town Center Park, Creekside Woods Senior Housing, and the gymnasium at Wilsonville High School.  We can continue to make worthy improvements to Wilsonville — while increasing assessed real estate values — which in turn helps fund our schools, fire, police and city services.  Because of extremely low turnout (only 39% voted in comparison to 90% in the November 2020 election) May’s advisory vote fell short by a mere 54 votes, and the Council paused progress on this Urban Renewal District. I believe the measure was also impacted by misinformation on social media, including messages funded by out-of-town political groups.  Below are three misconceptions that were often repeated.

Misconception #1 was that an Urban Renewal District would directly increase your residential property tax. NOT true. When a city establishes an Urban Renewal District, it freezes the amount of tax revenue it receives from owners within that district. Tax increments that eventually come through new buildings, higher district property values and other improvements within the district, fund the public infrastructure projects of the district. Homeowners do not pay for the Urban Renewal District. Of course, with a thriving Town Center, home values in general can typically increase, but homeowners are not usually opposed to that.

Misconception #2 was that the advisory vote would prevent the Town Center Plan from proceeding.  NOT true.  The TCP is adopted and ready to move forward, with continued community engagement to refine the plan.  Ongoing community participation is essential to ensure all concerns are considered including parking, housing, traffic, and aesthetics. I strongly support ongoing community engagement.

Misconception #3 is that the Urban Renewal District locks in the current version of the Town Center Plan. That is not how this works. The plan is dynamic, changing with the community’s needs. It is a 20- to 30-year vision that must evolve over time. TCP is essential if we want to guide and plan our own neighborhoods and avoid being forced into state development mandates when lacking a plan such as TCP.

I also heard the voices that said renewed citizen input is needed. As Mayor, I will immediately propose a long-term advisory task force of residents, staff, and a city council representative to receive direct input from our community stakeholders on potential refinements to the Town Center Plan, including at town hall and community meetings. I will preside over the initial community meetings as my commitment to this process.

Together we can determine the smart way forward for the best future of our wonderful town. Let’s do this together.