'Free' Parks Plan Could Affect Downtown's Future

A private foundation is buying up prime downtown real estate Portland, OR, and will donate it to the city for use as parks. But preservationists worry the gift will destroy historic buildings.

1 minute read

May 1, 2002, 8:00 AM PDT

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech

"Retailers in the area worry about their future and preservationists fret about the potential loss of historic buildings.City government is caught in the middle. Political leaders aren't sure whether they want to accept a gift that could end up costing big money for park development and maintenance and that perhaps might harm rather than help downtown...The costly maneuvering in the midtown blocks could profoundly affect the future of the entire downtown, particularly its fragile retail sector."

Thanks to Nathan Banks

FULL STORY: 'Free' Parks Come with Price Tag of Uncertainty

Monday, April 29, 2002 in The Oregonian

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