Portland Business Journal I September 23, 2014
Portland developer Patrick Kessi pitched a big redesign of downtown Lake Oswego with his proposed multi-use project on Block 137, the Wizer Block. Some residents love it, some say no way. The city’s Development Review Commission shot down the project in July, saying it didn’t meet size and scale requirements. Kessi disagrees and has appealed the DRC’s decision to the city council, which will begin hearing public testimony on the issue tonight. In advance of the public testimony, the Business Journal talked to Kessi about where his project’s been – and where it may be going next.
How are you feeling about the City Council meeting(s) scheduled for this week and all the public testimony that’s bound to be coming? Are you optimistic?Yes, I’m optimistic and excited about these meetings. There has been an outpouring of public support for the development via letters, petition signers and in public testimony. Our development complies with the code, is compatible with our neighbors and completes the vision for that area of town.
What have you been doing to prepare for the council meetings? We have been meeting with the community and businesses and we have spent time at the farmers’ market and in many other ways to inform people about the development. We have received very good feedback and are excited to present this gorgeous development to the city council now.
Do you expect the opposition to continue if the council ends up approving the project? From the very beginning we have met with the neighbors, listened to their concerns and incorporated the best suggestions into the development. We have had strong support from neighbors but we will continue to listen to the neighbors and strive to make the is the best development for the community.
You probably expected some opposition on this project, but is this more than you bargained for? Nothing worth doing is always easy. This has been a long but worthwhile process of working with the city staff, community leaders and business leaders on a shared vision for the property. We are committed to seeing it through.
What’s been your biggest takeaway from this whole process so far? Thankfully we live in a democracy with free speech. But this is a process where City Council has to judge this project under the code.
What will you do if the council rejects the proposal? Will that be the end of it for you or might you go back to the drawing board? We will consider any and all options.