Hillsboro voters will have a lot of choices to make on their ballots due Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Ten people have filed for Hillsboro City Council seats. Two are running in Ward 1, including incumbent Beach Pace, and two are running in Ward 3, including incumbent Olivia Alcaire. Six are running in Ward 2, for a seat being vacated by outgoing Councilor Kyle Allen.
Pamplin Media Group reached out to all candidates with a short questionnaire. Their responses below are published in full, with only minor editing where needed for spelling, grammar and clarity.
Candidates Nicole Mastropietro (Ward 2) and Ivette Pantoja Avalos (Ward 3) are the only candidates who did not respond to the News-Times’ questionnaire.
How do you feel the city addressed the rezoning of Jackson East, and what would you do to handle future zoning issues in Hillsboro?
Beach Pace, Ward 1: For clarity, the city designated the Jackson East area to be zoned Industrial. This was voted on in August 2022.
I first heard of this issue in 2018, when I was serving on the city Planning Commission, and I got to know the people living in the Jackson East area. Since then, I have walked the Jackson East area, biked it, and toured it with residents. I also received briefings from city staff. All of this was in an effort to fully understand the facts and nuances of the situation.
Jackson East community members disagreed with the city’s approach and, in some cases, lost some trust. Over time, and with open communication, there has been a collaborative approach to finding win-win solutions for Jackson East. Even after the vote, the city is still working with our Jackson East neighbors.
Looking ahead to future zoning issues, I believe the city is well positioned to be equitable and inclusive in handling tough situations. We always strive toward win-win outcomes by being intentionally inclusive and communicating clearly and often.
Pat Ribellia, Ward 1: The Jackson East Area sits outside Hillsboro’s city limits and thus, its zoning authority. It can’t be zoned for industries until annexed to the city. Area property owners decide, individually, if-and-when they will annex. Who knows how long that would take?
City staff has demonstrated much sensitivity to area owners’ rural “transition concerns” in its pursuit of eventual area industrial use, which will take a long time to materialize. I suggest changing course.
A huge city opportunity to immediately add more high-tech manufacturing sites at North Hillsboro is taking shape: It’s arising from probably site development funding from the $52 billion US CHIPS Manufacturing Act; the work of the Oregon Semiconductor Task Force inclusion of North Hillsboro in its “Hillsboro & North Plains Semiconductor Opportunity Site” Map; and the governor’s $1 million set-aside to spur finding and readying new large industrial sites for chipmakers.
The city should pounce on that opportunity by seeking 2023 legislation to add vacant rural reserves land across Highway 26 at the Brookwood interchange to the UGB and revert the Jackson East area and adjacent UGB farmland back to rural reserves in exchange. That would do the following:
• Present a direct pathway to attracting/accommodating new chipmakers in North Hillsboro.
• Result in a no-net-loss of “prime farmland critical mass” needed by the county’s agriculture industry.
• Provide long-term farmland protection of the rural Jackson East area.
Finally, a key candidate commitment for me is to “keep established single-family neighborhoods intact and safe.” This response heeds that commitment.
Chris Adzima, Ward 2: I think it is difficult for me to think the city moved too quickly when the UGB increased in 2014 specifically for industrial growth. That is 8 years of study and consideration.
I can appreciate the concerns of residents in the area and I am glad they brought their concerns to the council. I would look to continue the dialog on zoning issues with residents as well as businesses that will be impacted by any zoning changes.
I also plan to take the time to hear all the concerns and then weigh the decision on what is best for the city as a whole.
Ian Barrett, Ward 2: After catching up on the history on this subject, I see that there has been public engagement since 2016 and was paused in 2019 pending pandemic issues. The city has kept the residents informed and eight public meetings held encouraging stakeholder input.
Of course, the system is not perfect and improving communications would go a long way to alleviating concerns.
Kenneth Knowles, Ward 2: It is my understanding that this went through the usual public consultation process. I am unsure if there were issues communicating with the residents either due to COVID or lack of a local venue.
The city would almost always follow the recommendations from the planning committee. It is an unfortunate consequence of a successful city that often rezoning is necessary. I would hope that the industries that move in provide long-term value to the city and provide jobs and benefits.
Jerry Shamoon, Ward 2: I can understand how the issue of future growth, land owner rights and the balance of expansion can be complicated. The city has to balance the concerns of all sides and come to a reasonable outcome for current and future interests in the city. Planning and long-term planning communication should take place.
These future rezoning areas need to take into consideration the current property owners rights and their concerns. I also believe the property owners should be well compensated for their land if rezoned for another use.
I do like that the city offered land owners another option of keeping their property and letting development happen around them.
For future zoning issues in Hillsboro, communication is huge, Property owners should be aware, well in advance of future growth.
Hopefully next time, all parties will find common ground and have positive outcomes.
Kipperlyn Sinclair, Ward 2: At the time, the Hillsboro Planning Commission voted 4 to 2 against the rezoning of the Jackson East area. I served as an active planning commissioner at the time of this vote and heard our residents’ concerns and voted in opposition of the Jackson East rezoning.
Local governance is about civic representation (people, place, policy, and priorities). City staff works with a multitude of complex issues and diligently strives to affectively collaborate with our residents, but ultimately in this instance, I believe the city moved too quickly in wanting to rezone Jackson East.
I would have liked to have seen a Housing Needs Analysis and an Environmental Action Plan, pertaining to the increase of industrial employment and population growth, related to the impact of the proposed rezoning.
During my duration in serving our community as a planning commissioner, the participation, knowledge, money, and time dedicated by the residents of Jackson East was the greatest display of public involvement that I had observed.
I’m in favor of smart growth practices that positively encourage development with techniques that reduce impervious surfaces, safeguard environmentally sensitive areas, mixing land use (homes, offices, shops), promoting public transit, improving pedestrian and bicycle amenities, and thoughtful design with agricultural land use for generations to come.
Olivia Alcaire, Ward 3: Yes, the Jackson East community has met with council and expressed their fears and concern.
I support the industrialization of Jackson East so that Hillsboro continues to be a strong statewide and regional centered by technology, business and corporate expansion that brings jobs, diverse housing needs, and great schools. The prior/current residents who made Jackson East their home have worked with the city and council very closely to examine all options.
Whether residential and industrial can co-exist is a great question, as the residents have the option to sell or stay despite what the city does. The cost of their properties has been impacted, and one of the concerns they raised was that their potential equity may slow because of zoning.
I would also say that home equity is not a guarantee, as we look at inflation and rising mortgage interest rates that can may force people to leave.
Homeowners rely on potential equity — I do. The increase of industrialized properties is not a surprise to the folks who live there. They have options to stay or sell. Hillsboro’s industrialization zoning gives the whole city more options for jobs, homes, and more.
Council and city staff progressively worked with residents through several steps to find common ground, compromise, affirm land base — residential and industrial — and support the expansion of technology in our city. Many residents shared their concerns in public meetings and emails, provided us with investigative findings, and described how their lives would be impacted. I recall residents talked about their history as residents, property values, and quality of life.
Our economic development staff did a great job in providing council with information necessary to vote to shift Jackson East to industrial. This status still allows residents to remain in the area or sell their property. Because residents have options, I felt that they too were making the decision to remain in the region as the growth of the technology and industry advanced.
Council listened to testimony from regional stakeholders like Portland General Electric who shared that the expansion of Jackson East for industrialization contributed greatly across our region. The increase of companies brings more jobs, fund projects, and supports steady economic growth.
I feel council listened to the residents, did everything they requested in researching options.
What role do you see for the City Council in addressing the homelessness crisis?
Pace: The role of city council is to set the vision for the city. We also set annual priorities. We have prioritized initiatives like diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), access to public services, and community engagement. These priorities are broad directives.
This relates to houselessness because we can provide detailed guidance in the execution of this work. Having done ride-alongs with public safety personnel and meeting some of our houseless neighbors, I have learned that there are many aspects to how a person ends up on the street and how to get them into housing.
There are many factors playing into this predicament: housing inventory, housing prices, housing density, and the job market are just a few. And the individuals experiencing houselessness have personal obstacles, like needing to house their family, their pets, or their own health challenges.
It’s tough to get a job without having an address, and it’s tough to get an address without a job.
Right now, we are working to set up Safe Rest Pods near Dairy Creek that will have dwellings and services co-located to support houseless individuals. This is an interim solution until a more permanent year-round shelter goes in.
Additionally, we partner with nonprofit organizations to provide counseling, food, and access to technology (for job, school or service applications).
We also have an outdoor cleanup program to help with garbage disposal. We are specially hiring those who have the lived experience of houselessness to clean up debris thereby providing them with employment and keeping our city clean.
We also have the crisis intervention team at the Hillsboro Police Department which does outreach to the houseless.
In addition, we have done outreach to the community at large to understand community needs and concerns around this issue and have received over 800 responses.
Finally, we also have a monthly email “The Homelessness Initiatives” to apprise community members of our actions.
Ribellia: The council’s homeless budget support and related affordable housing policy initiatives are impressive and productive and will have my “proactive support”:
• Year-round homeless “Safe Sleep Pods.”
• Create 117 “deeply affordable units.”
• The city’s “Business Caring Tool Kit” to get business sector affordable housing help.
• The police department’s Homeless Liaison Officers Unit.
The “homeless profile” has three general categories: “genuine,” “transient” (i.e., move between/among cities) and chosen “lifestyle” homeless.
Limited homeless resources should identify the systemic economic, domestic or other roots that cause the genuinely homeless group to become homeless. That knowledge can help shape lasting jobs, housing, medical or other community or social remedies/solutions while members of this largest homeless group are provided interim homeless accommodations.
Such accommodations should be “homeless entitlements.” They can be lost if recipients neglect or intentionally fail to honor or use those remedies/solutions that would be tailored to address their specific homeless problems.
The transient and lifestyle homeless have no clear geographic boundaries. Thus, they present a geographically larger, countywide, regional or even state-level set of homeless challenges, the solutions to which must come from coordinated cities, counties, region and state homeless problem-solving.
Homelessness by choice versus by unavoidable circumstances present the need to tailor its homelessness help efforts/responses accordingly. We need to focus on helping those genuinely homeless families and individuals; participate in creating cross-jurisdictional homelessness solutions aimed at transient homelessness; and leave the lifestyle homeless to find their own way.
Adzima: I want to see the city council become the local leader in the fight against housing instability. We need assistance from many local governments and organizations to truly get this done, and I want to see the city council step up and be the group that marshals all these organizations to meet this problem head-on.
I would like to increase city recourses for people who are experiencing housing instability, either by working with developers to get more affordable housing built in the city, increasing mental health services provided to houseless individuals, or getting more addiction services available in the city.
Barrett: The plight of homeless persons is a concern for us all. The city is working in conjunction with Beaverton et. in setting up shelters. Funding can be made available to provide permanent residential addresses that will help enormously.
Knowles: This is a huge topic.
I spent several years personally involved with the homeless and am aware of the multiple demographics affected.
Often people that are experiencing houselessness require a permanent address and resources. These are often available on a temporary basis through shelters. Often people will require help finding work, permanent housing and emotional/mental health support. Many are in the situation through no fault of their own.
The city should help with proving the facilities for multi-agency cooperation. The city needs to make sure low-cost land is primarily focused for low-cost housing. There is also a big demand for SROs. An impact assessment and possibly a register should be made for STRs.
Shamoon: Homelessness is a huge issue right now. I have worked with this population directly for several years. It was my job for five years to conduct camp cleanups and help connect people to services. During that time, all illegal camps were removed in Washington County.
As of the last few years, Washington County leadership has purchased several large hotels and turned them into shelters. The City of Beaverton and Hillsboro are on the cusp of building large year-round city shelters just like in Vancouver.
I don’t believe building large low-barrier shelters in the suburbs is a good idea. Most of the homeless I have worked with don’t want a shelter bed and you can’t make them take one.
Unfortunately, as with any crisis, we get special interest agendas and large taxpayer-funded bureaucracies that pop up.
“The homeless-industrial complex.” The current way the West Coast is handling this crisis isn’t working. We literally have other states releasing thousands of inmates early and sending them to the West Coast. This only adds to an already complicated situation.
What is needed are detox centers and drug treatment centers that are mandatory. Decriminalizing hard drugs was a mistake and the law was poorly written. It should have required some form of mandatory drug treatment or detox facility.
We are not setting people up for success when they’re running the streets high on hard drugs in a mental state of psychosis. We are setting ourselves up for failure and we are setting them up for failure.
Sinclair: The City of Hillsboro has a responsibility to provide Fair Housing and Affordable Housing Tools (Hillsboro Comprehensive Plan: Policy H 2.7 — Policy H 2.9).
Through thoughtful planning and good affordable housing partnerships, the city of Hillsboro, Washington County, and Open Door Housing Works are working together in developing our city’s first Safe Rest Pods as a temporary shelter site (funded through the American Rescue Plan). Ultimately, the shelter will expand into a permanent village with amenities such as heating and cooling for year-round use, and connect residents with hygiene needs, meals, and healthcare. Through partnering with Open Door Housing Works, the shelter will be staffed 24/7 to ensure the safety of residents on-site.
Nonprofits play a large role in providing unique programs that bridge solutions for youth opportunities and local shelter residents. Recently, Hillsboro’s Working Theory Farm and Centro Cultural secured a large USDA grant to increase food production, provide fresh food distribution, and expand programs that provide on-site training and a consistent space to give and receive positive feedback. This specific collaboration unites Washington County’s juvenile justice program and local shelters to gain on the job training with Working Theory Farm and Central Cultural.
Public engagement, diverse planning, and collaborative partnerships become long term solutions to lessen the hardship for our houseless community members when outreach workers, housing case managers, active day centers, winter shelter operations, safe rest pods, and nonprofits secure state and federal funding.
Alcaire: When I started on council, I quickly realized that homelessness was increasing around the city. I did a few ride-alongs with the police in the hopes of getting to see where homeless people live and what support they needed.
Small business owners have given testimony at council meetings about how they faced property damage, threats of violence, public indecency, alleged drug transactions and drug use, and loss of customers resulting in loss of business.
I recall one effort to provide business owners with recommendations of what they could do facing a challenge with someone who is homeless. Business owners struggled with knowing what to do and grew frustrated. Homelessness steadily grew, and residents complained that they faced a lot of hardship with little support from the city.
The city is trying to find solutions. When the pandemic hit, homeless people relied on access to our public libraries where they could spend long periods of time accessing library services. Through the pandemic, the city supported vaccination events inclusive of homeless people by working with community organizations.
As we rose from the pandemic, the supportive housing services bill was passed to ensure expanded services for homeless people, such as the Turnkey project where hotels are bought and developed to provide transitional housing in diverse neighborhoods to match the homeless population.
Businesses have shared ongoing problems and want to know how the city is developing property near WinCo to provide transitional housing and services that includes the housing pods reported in September 2022. I support this project because it will hopefully support homeless people with job preparedness and access to critical services. The city funds supportive services offered by nonprofit organizations to help homeless people gain skills and complete their GED.
These efforts respond to the homeless crisis. In conclusion, I am hopeful that the solutions we developed will culminate in more stable housing and meeting basic needs.
Do you agree with the new water rates proposed by the city? If so, why are they necessary? If not, what needs to change, and how can Hillsboro lower prices while still paying for the cost of service and future expansion?
Pace: Any rate increase is unwelcome and that is, frankly, understandable. The hikes put additional pressure on residents and business owners. As a resident of Hillsboro, I’ll be paying too.
However, I do agree with the rate hikes and the reasons for them are sound. The process of getting water to your tap can be separated into three categories: storage, conveyance, and treatment. Hillsboro is investing in each of these categories, which will provide protection of public health, additional water supply, and maintenance of water infrastructure. These are all key components to clean, safe, and sustainable water.
We are also partnering on this project with the City of Beaverton and the Tualatin Valley Water District. We have also sought out federal resources saving us $175 million in long-term costs. Even with this rate increase, Hillsboro remains among the most competitive in terms the cost of providing water to our community members.
We do not take rate increases lightly. Our climate is changing rapidly and water is an increasingly treasured resource. The investments we are making will help Hillsboro now and in the future.
Ribellia: I agree with the proposed city rates except as they apply to heavy water use industries. For equitable cost-sharing reasons among all water users, I suggest reasonably increasing water rates for the “C-9 Industrial users” (products manufacturing and their suppliers and data centers). Equitably, they should carry more of the water supply/delivery costs than they do now.
Most of these businesses chose North Hillsboro largely because of access to adequate, reliable city water. The water-supported manufacturing benefits that current — and future — industry water users in Hillsboro (will) enjoy would not exist today — and would not exist in the future — but for the city’s taxpayers’ water supply/delivery system funding. The city will assure that dependable water supply over the next 50 years via new water from a Willamette River Water Supply Project.
The city must fund 35% of the total $1.3 billion project in small part by adjusted water rates revenues drawn from all city water users, not just the industrial users. However, from 2020 to 2023, the rate adjustment for industrial users stays at 10.5% while for single-family water rates rise from 4.9% (2020) to 8.9% (2023).
The dependable manufacturing productivity of existing and, importantly, new industrial heavy water users will benefit most from that new reliable water supply. However, that industry sector will pay for such water at the same rates they now pay- without that new water source.
While I’m always a strong advocate of quality industrial growth, that growth needs to cover its reasonable and equitable share of the costs to serve it with city water. A fiscal study should nail down what that higher cost burden should be to inform adjusting all city water rates.
Adzima: We have seen one of the biggest periods of inflation in our nation’s history over the last year. Everything is more expensive, and that includes the resources needed to provide the current level of utilities to everyone in the city.
As this inflation has hit, we are also expanding the city and expanding the infrastructure needed to service the increased residences and businesses in that expansion.
Because no one can plan for the type of inflation we have seen, we could not plan for increases over time to meet the new costs.
Barrett: I agree that city utility rates are excessive, especially in sewer and stormwater disposal. But they are necessary for the health of the community. Water-saving devices are available, I think free of charge.
Knowles: Nobody likes rate increases, but Hillsboro still has some of the lowest water bills in the areas.
I am grateful to live in a city that cares about the health of its residents. I do not want Hillsboro to turn into a Mississippi or Flint.
Shamoon: Having this water system is huge for our Westside cities’ future growth. Cost was about $1.6 billion between community partners and other funds. These projects are expensive. Hopefully in 25 to 50 years from now, the citizens will be better off, because the cities made this investment.
Water systems are vital and a wise future investment. Do I like the projected increases in rates? Not really, who likes bigger bills. I appreciate that the leaders went big with this investment and made the bold move to set up the next generation.
On the other side of good future investments, we have Metro and TriMet trying to put in more MAX lines. I don’t think those are wise future investments. Unfortunately for them, technology has changed. People can work from home, they can drive fuel efficient gas and electric vehicles.
I think it is shortsighted to keep throwing money at expanding MAX lines, as the future has changed already. In the future, we need more balanced investments in roads and freeways.
Sinclair: Water is a livability essential for all Hillsboro residents (DEI).
Currently, I’m not in agreement with the water rate increases proposed, due to cases of household water shut offs and the continued burden of inflation costs passed onto small independent businesses. The water rate increases will affect struggling essential workers on the home front and in the workplace.
The Partnership Project with Tualatin Valley Water District, City of Beaverton, and City of Hillsboro to develop the Willamette River as an additional supply source for the Hillsboro community is the main driver of rates and water system development charges. Has the combined efforts of this collaborative project exhausted a greater range of revenue options for funding their budget?
Hillsboro’s proposed biennial 2023 and 2024 drinking water rate increase is driven by protecting public health, additional water supply, and maintaining essential infrastructure. These are all good things.
My concern is that the current programs provided in aiding assistance aren’t adequate to cover the increased burden passed onto our low-income households, amongst additional inflation costs. I’d like to see additional program options beyond the current water cost saving resources.
Alcaire: The water rate increases are being discussed, and a vote by the Water Commission on Oct. 11 will determine the outcome.
The increases are necessary to maintain access to pristine water reserves and maintenance costs have risen. The proposed water rates in Hillsboro are the third-lowest in Washington County, with North Plains as the highest. You can review water rate increases by city by going to https://www.hillsboro-oregon.gov/our-city/departments/water/water-rate-information.
Water rates are inclusive of drinking water, below surface water and systems maintenance, and much more. Our new rates align with our biennial budget schedule that was also passed by council.
I agree water rates are high, but I believe they are necessary to support our city’s infrastructure and water supplies. To meet disparities among low-income, vulnerable communities, I support fairness in our rates, but advocating for a pay structure like our HiLight service where eligible residents may qualify to pay lower rates. However, water rates are set by the Water Commission.
I see my bill is a lot more expensive, but I also know that maintaining our water system is becoming more expensive, while water resources are impacted by climate change that needs to be addressed too. This is complex.
My vote took into consideration what community members had to say, along with other stakeholders dependent on our water system.
While we have an assistance program that people need to qualify for, I support a more equitable water rate that is inclusive of low income, non-employment or other challenges that impact whether they can pay their water bill, monthly. The city is responding to roughly 100 community member emails and will assess the impact of the new water rate on vulnerable communities.
What would you personally like to see in the 10th Avenue corridor and how should the City Council go about accomplishing this goal?
Pace: I would love to see a beautiful, welcoming, and safe business corridor. It should be well-lit, safe to walk, drive, or bike, and inviting to community members. Such a design can help drive business to the area and support those business owners who are still working to recover from impacts of the pandemic.
But it’s not really about what I want. It’s about what the local community wants and, in that vein, we are engaging and listening.
This type of work takes investment. We have already provided support for façade improvements, sidewalk repairs, seasonal lighting, colorful murals, and we added bike patrols, preserved trees, and increased landscaping.
And, we’d like to do more. In that effort, we have had three workshops engaging the community to understand what they want. Furthermore, we’ve held meetings with community leaders to hear from them regarding additional improvements.
This work is ongoing and I am personally excited about the engagement and investment that is happening.
Ribellia: The city’s 10th Avenue/Calle Diez project’s completed visioning stage engaged area stakeholders in area revitalizing goal setting.
Stage 2 of a five-stage revitalizing assessment is underway. It seeks to develop revitalization ideas for area building design/land improvements, actionable projects and (re)development policy ideas.
The 10th Avenue retail environment reflects the character of a growing, adjoining Hispanic community and a broader community demand for such goods and services. I hope, and would strongly support, area revitalization that captures, embellishes, and expands that unique cultural flavor in future city land use plans and development codes for the area.
A special people-generated multicultural yet distinct Latino-based energy visually emanates from the area. It should not be lost by mundane area redevelopment. It needs to be captured, nurtured and set the tone for area revitalization.
Like the Orenco Station (millennials concentration), Downtown Hillsboro (city and county civic/historic core), and Tanasbourne (regional retail hub), the 10th Avenue/Calle Diez Corridor can/should become its own unique Hillsboro urban hub.
Tenth (10th) Avenue traffic congestion in the Area is both an asset and a challenge to Area revitalization: It is a state (Highway 8) and a county through-traffic roadway connecting east and west Washington County that has vehicle traffic-flow and access performance standards. It will be a challenge to find ways to reasonably accommodate those standards in ways that also support area revitalization goals. I believe the city’s creative planning staff and resources are capable of doing that and should be challenged by the council to do so.
Adzima: What I want to see on 10th Avenue personally is of no consequence. The real question is what does the community want in that area?
I will make it my goal to meet with and discuss this with every resident in the area, and every business currently there.
We have a chance to create a real destination in that area, and the only way to make sure it is a destination that people want to go to is to listen to the community and hear what it wants there, and then work with all the tools I have to make that vision true.
Barrett: 10th Street is problematic with it being at a confluence of major arteries. It is difficult to envisage a scheme that does away with the junction.
Streamline traffic movement while restricting access to retail units to 12th Street.
Knowles: The people in the community needed a local grocery store, but this may have not been accepted by the local community.
There has been much change in downtown, there is balance to be made to make Hillsboro more attractive and also provide facilities for local residents.
I personally would have considered this site for the expanded police department instead of the airport location. I think the option for multi-use was a good choice but will put more demands on the local services.
Shamoon: It would be nice to improve traffic flow in this area while also improving livability. This area is home to a park, senior center, aquatic center and library.
It will be important to bring in local business owners and stakeholders to get their ideas this time around. They need to have input and buy-in to improve this area.
Recently, the local residents and businesses were caught off guard. The local leaders decided for them to use an old hotel in the middle of the 10th street area as a homeless shelter.
I don’t think it’s a good idea to put a low-barrier shelter across the street from an aquatic center that has thousands of visitors a year. I would have recommended the shelter have a high barrier of who qualifies to receive this support from the local community.
I think veterans, people with disabilities, and small families would have had a positive outcome in this area.
Sinclair: The key priority to the success of this revitalization is public engagement and representation of our city’s established Latin community.
I’m thrilled that the newly named Calle Diez neighborhood will be branded in support of our Latin community who provide essential services and cultural vitality to our city’s everyday lives. I personally would like to see more small business opportunities outlined in the planning of 10th Avenue’s revitalization.
The 10th Avenue Corridor offers an opening for our city to invest in equitable and generational economic opportunities through dense mixed-use development, rezoning in support of expanding work-live opportunity, enhanced sidewalks for safe walkability, and cultural representation displayed throughout outdoor community gathering spaces.
The Shute Park area has always displayed rich culture through our Latin community’s efforts to provide independent shops and eateries; the city’s economic investment in Calle Diez will now allow this neighborhood to further shine.
Alcaire: The 10th Avenue revitalization project will highlight the cultural diversity, history, and the economic strength of the Latino community that has been thriving for the past 60 years.
I have been envisioning this kind of project since I first set foot on 10th Avenue because it reminds me of where I grew up in San Francisco and the Latino community I come from. A plaza, a central point for the Latino community marking their identity and positionality as the fastest growing community in Hillsboro.
Once completed, I envision, people will continue walking up and down 10th Avenue, shopping, eating in restaurants, and visiting other small businesses. Along with cleaning up sidewalks and making them wider to invite more pedestrian traffic with more safety measures that includes a public safety presence that is informed of what it means to protect people in a sanctuary city.
I would like to see slower traffic, and possibly divert congestion away from 10th Avenue. I would hope years from now that 10th Avenue is a place where people, families and elderly can take walks, enjoy green space, and attend events celebrating the Latino community.
The city has grants available to help small businesses update their store fronts, and it is important to consider adjusting the grant processes so that more small businesses can afford to take advantage of the program. Revitalizing 10th Avenue should not result in any gentrification and force small businesses out.
There are several small businesses that contribute to the livelihood of 10th Avenue. One way to preserve small businesses and encourage the development of small business by hosting a pop-up market space.
The city is sponsoring new murals that inspire others to enjoy, appreciate Latino culture and presence in Hillsboro. I have advocated for murals since the start of the pandemic, as a way of uplifting people across Hillsboro.
Aside from businesses, residents live adjacent to 10th Avenue who have thrived and enjoy amenities like Shute Park, the Library, and the Shute Park Aquatic & Recreation Center. These are spaces enjoyed by Latino community members, and I’m hopeful that 10th Avenue will enhance the neighborhood for and today future generations.
I would love to see more music, art, and performance areas. It would be great to see outdoor restaurants — weather permitting that invites people from all over Hillsboro to enjoy 10th Avenue.
These are a few of my visions for 10th Avenue.
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