If City Council approves the mandate, the clock will start on 1,640 buildings.

 

RETROFIT STEPS

  • Step 1- Engineer - ASCE 41 and Estimate.

  • Step 2 - Bracing parapets, cornices, chimney, roof sheathing (causing full roof replacement)

  • Step 3 - Floor to wall ties and bolts (displaces tenants)

  • Step 4 - Upgrades completed

IMPACTS

BUILDING OWNER CHALLENGES: (Varies by building)

  • Retrofit costs may be higher than the value of the building.

  • There are not enough engineers and contractors for 1,640 buildings on the same timeline.

  • Costs will increase due to time, plus supply and demand.

  • There is no oversight by the city or state of anyone claiming to be a seismic expert.

  • Building owner is not able to qualify for credit or afford the retrofits.

  • Building are decreasing in value lower due to the city's list.

  • A real estate down-turn will devastate values.

  • Buildings will have to be sold at a reduced value, demolished or pay fines.

COMMUNITY CHALLENGES: (Varies by building and location)

  • Buildings need to be empty for 9-12 months. (Estimate)

  • Residents will be displaced.

  • Relocation fees were exempted in the adopted policy for tenants.

  • Businesses will be displaced.

  • Main Streets will be decimated.

  • Exacerbates gentrification.

  • Higher rents.

  • Squeezes out Affordable Housing. (1,800 of 7,000 units - public-financed affordable housing)

  • Squeezes out small businesses.

  • Incentivize demolitions.

  • Demolishes historic character.

COSTS

With over 1,600 buildings, all shapes, conditions and sizes, it is almost impossible to determine “costs” for the purpose of informing a retrofit mandate. This and other factors, such as supply and demand, predatory contractors, loss of income, unforeseen costs, City of Portland “add-ons,” and more. There is no end in sight as to what it might cost.

Initial estimates from the city averaged $105.50 per foot.

This estimate does not include the following:

Engineers/Architects
Construction
Repairs
HVAC and Utilities
Lead and Asbestos Abatement
Architectural Details
Flooring, Paint and Finishes
Interior Fixtures such as external wall kitchens and baths.
City Add-ons
All Unforeseen Costs

On May 9th, 2018 at the first reading at city council, city staff stunned the full house of observers as they rolled out their new numbers and claimed that the retrofits would cost owners $11.00 per foot. No, you did not read that wrong.

The NW Examiner covered it here:

This mandate has more questions than answers. More problems than solutions. It's a policy without a plan. Portland must do better.

Even an average of $105. reflected INCONCLUSIVE retrofit costs. Not including tenant relocation, architectural finishes, fixtures, mechanical, electrical, lead and asbestos, loss of income or unforeseen costs. This is a policy without a plan.