Three months after Molalla began waiving building fees, development is already picking up.
In an experiment that no Oregon city has tried in at least 15 years, Molalla began waiving building fees in December to spur economic development.
Three months later, the experiment — which is set to last throughout 2010 or until it collects $1 million in waivers — is already paying off, but not without criticism.
A 160-unit apartment complex and adjoining retail project, which the developer said wouldn’t have moved forward without the waivers, is now targeted for Molalla’s struggling downtown core. A formal application is expected as early as Thursday.
Yet far from generating unanimous local applause, the proposed project has become a focal point in the contentious debate over who should foot the bill for development.
Read the full story at OregonLive.com.
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