CLC & Why Community Leadership Will Shape Our Future
What if you had a say in how millions of dollars are spent to shape the future of Parkrose? Right now, you do.
With the creation of the Sumner-Parkrose-Argay-Columbia Corridor (SPACC) TIF District, a powerful new tool is in place to invest in our community over the next 30 years. But tools don’t work unless you pick them up. That’s where the Community Leadership Committee (CLC) comes in.
What is the CLC?
The Community Leadership Committee is a group of 13 everyday people – neighbors, business owners, parents, renters, and community champions – who will guide how TIF (Tax Increment Financing) dollars are spent in Parkrose. With up to $310 million on the table, these decisions will shape our neighborhood for decades.
The CLC will co-create a 5-year Action Plan with City agencies like Prosper Portland and the Portland Housing Bureau. This plan decides what gets funded: housing, small business support, safety improvements, parks, and more. But the CLC doesn’t just write a plan and walk away – they stick around to make sure it actually happens, with regular meetings and real oversight.
Why You Should Care
Because if the people of Parkrose don’t speak up, others will. And history tells us that when communities aren’t at the table, they end up on the menu.
We’ve seen what happens when development moves in without local leadership. In places like Albina and the Interstate Corridor, well-intentioned projects led to displacement, not prosperity. We’re not going to let that happen here.
Parkrose is one of the most diverse, dynamic, and underinvested areas in Portland. We finally have the chance to lead, not just react. The CLC is a direct line from our living rooms to City Hall.
How the Process Works
The TIF district officially launched on July 1, 2025. The first group of CLC members will soon begin meeting monthly to create a community-driven investment plan. Once the plan is approved by City Council, implementation begins – with oversight continuing through 2055.
Throughout the process, there will be many chances for YOU to:
Attend meetings and give public comment
Join subcommittees or working groups
Participate in surveys and open houses
Support community groups like Historic Parkrose
Spread the word and keep neighbors informed
You don’t need to be a policy expert. You just need to care.
Why This Moment Matters
Parkrose is at a crossroads. Growth is coming. The question is: who benefits? Will it be our local businesses, renters, families, and elders? Or will it be outside developers and disconnected decision-makers?
The answer depends on us.
At Historic Parkrose, we believe in planning with the community, not for it. We’re committed to helping elevate local voices, share updates, and hold institutions accountable. Together, we can make sure the Parkrose we build reflects the community we love.
What You Can Do Right Now:
✉️ Stay informed: Follow Historic Parkrose on social media and sign up for updates
📍 Attend public meetings: Even just showing up makes a difference
🧳️ Speak up: Your lived experience is expertise
✨ Support community partners: Donate, volunteer, or amplify their work
This is your neighborhood. This is your future.
Let’s show up, speak out, and build a Parkrose where everyone can thrive.
Because the story of our neighborhood is still being written.
And it needs your voice.
