Bend Core Area Implementation Plan

BEND, OR | 2019

Following a successful adoption of Bend’s UGB Plan, Cascadia Partners (CP) worked within a multidisciplinary team of designers and planners to develop a strategic plan to transform the Core Area around downtown into a vibrant mixed-use district.

CP led a comprehensive zoning code audit and the evaluation of several new development incentive programs with the intent of jumpstarting investment in the area. The code audit included a pro forma-based assessment of the current code standards and a highly-visual comparative assessment of existing code to national best practice for a mixed-use district. Using our pro forma + Sketchup tool, we were able to quickly communicate key barriers but also quantify the impact to return rates, rents, and levels of affordability. The project involved participation in a public open house, facilitating eight stakeholder meetings, five presentations to a City-appointed advisory board, and one presentation to City Council. The zoning code changes were supported by City Council in early 2020 and adopted in 2021.

In 2023, Cascadia was invited back to assist the newly formed Bend Urban Renewal District (BURA) in creating TIF investment programs aimed at assisting mixed-use housing development and small business investments in the district.