Mitchell on Burnside Bridgehead

There is an interesting architecture column in The Oregonian today. I'm referring of course to...Renee Mitchell?

The Metro columnist weighs in on Burnside Bridgehead and cautions Southeast Portlanders and Central Eastsiders to not be quite so fervent in their worship of Bradley Malsin of Beam Development, the lone Bridgehead development candidate whose plan did not originally include big-box retail.

Mitchell basically asserts that people are supporting Malsin, a former New York eye doctor, almost solely on the big-box issue and forgetting that he has far less experience and resources than the other two candidates, Opus and Gerding-Edlen. "Maslin's proposal," she writes, "costs more, offers residents fewer chances to own their real estate, needs more of an up-front public investment and depends on a hodge-podge of local partners and the good intentions of a foreign investor..."

One glaring omission from Mitchell's column, I think, is mention of the proven success that Malsin and Beam have shown with the East Bank Commerce Center. Sure, it's not as big as Gerding-Edlen's Brewery Blocks or some Opus projects, but it is a masterfully done project within just a few blocks of Burnside Bridgehead. Beam isn't just the anti-big-box candidate. They're the home team.

Mitchell concludes by saying that once the talking is done, "the PDC still needs to select a development team that can prove it can deliver this project on time and on budget, using the least amount of public dough." That summation is a little too conservative for my taste. Of course we want the project on time and on budget, but I don't see Beam being any more incapable than its competitors. And while public resources are tight, I'd rather have the best architecture win out than simply the developer or project that brings the fewest amount of budgetary or construction headaches along the way.

Too little of the Burnside Bridgehead debate has been about the architecture, big-box notwithstanding. Who has the best buildings? That's who I want to win.

Comments

[The One True b!X]

She's also got her facts wrong. According to the evaluation committee's findings, GED's proposal requires the greatest amount of public subsidy, with Opus the least and Beam in the middle.

[Jonathan]

She's also writing outside of her expertise -- shouldn't she at least consult with Randy Gragg before she publishes on this issue?

[Mike Thelin]

Why on earth would two heavy-hitting,reputable firms as Walsh Construction and Shiels, Obletz, Johnson put their reputation on the line if they didn't think this guy could deliver. They wouldn't dare. Malsin is a breath of fresh air. Another reason not to read the Oregonion.

[Big Boomer]

I was at the meeting tonight. I sensed that the PDC board was trying to find anything to hang their hats on to deny BEAM the job. The lady "banker" on the PDC board was so nervous that the gum and food she was chowing down on wasn't satisfying her. Very pointed questions to the evaluation team (volunteers all), who had to stay on when the PDC gave the two "big boys" more time to satisfy the public about the "big box concept" pushed by the PDC.

Then one of the board asked straight up, "Did the annoucement by BEAM that they had added a new development team member sway your vote back in March?" They all said no and that their minds had already been swayed by BEAM's commitment to the eastside, their numbers, and their vision. I also sensed that the evaluation team wasn't happy with the boards treatment of them. The evaluation team was very, very, happy with the PDC staff.

The evaluation team, I believe, will not be happy if this board votes against their recommendation of BEAM.

Maybe this board can't understand why someone would wish to live and work on the eastside, take pride in their own work, and maybe get a lower rate for their main office space by risking it all on this project.

BB

[danielle]

It's not all about architecture, although my understanding is that many people consider Beam's plan to be "too boxy". In any case, for me that is among the least important issues. The more important thing is integrity, and I found Ms. Mitchell's article to be right on target.

As a former tenant in one of Brad Malsin's apartment buildings, I can honestly say that if people really knew what kind of landlord he is they might be somewhat less in love with him. I moved out of Harrison Court halfway through a twelve month lease because I found it so unlivable, and my considerable efforts to get things righted were fruitless. In 20 years of being a lower income renter with pets, this was by far my worst rental experience. On top of many other issues, the property was contaminated with old lead based paint when the outside was renovated - the workers did not work lead safe and were not trained or certified to do so until the work was nearly completed and the DHS shut them down until they got their certificates. Is this a landlord who you would entrust with a development project the size of the Bridgehead? My feeling is that Harrison Court speaks for Beam, and if Dr. Malsin can't manage a 25 unit apartment building with what I would consider to be a reasonable measure of integrity and professionalism (let alone compassion), then he probably shouldn't be handed something the size of the Burnside Bridgehead.

I add this perspective to Ms. Mitchell's for you as food for thought. BTW, I'm not sure why someone thought she was writing "outside her expertise". She wasn't writing from Randy Gregg's viewpoint, but her own and that of others in the community who are concerned about more important things than feng shui. I am glad she is among the few speaking out.

[Eastside Bandit]

BB is off base. The lady banker on the PDC commission board deserves more credit than BB provides. She asked the tough questions that Beam needed to answer. Alas, the PDC staff report of 4/25 did not provide the answers because Malsin doesn't have them or won't provide them. Let Malsin & Co. learn on some one else's tax dollars how to develop large projects. I don't want his slick New York hands anywhere near my wallet. The team members on the Beam band wagon should not get subsidized office space.

Also, who isn't getting sick of the pathetic east versus westside argument. People are dying in Darfur by the millions and you liberals can't think of anything more interesting than your own navels. Pathetic.

[Eastside Bandit]

BB is off base. The lady banker on the PDC commission board deserves more credit than BB provides. She asked the tough questions that Beam needed to answer. Alas, the PDC staff report of 4/25 did not provide the answers because Malsin doesn't have them or won't provide them. Let Malsin & Co. learn on some one else's tax dollars how to develop large projects. I don't want his slick New York hands anywhere near my wallet. The team members on the Beam band wagon should not get subsidized office space.

Also, who isn't getting sick of the pathetic east versus westside argument. People are dying in Darfur by the millions and you liberals can't think of anything more interesting than your own navels. Pathetic.