Grocery store at Block 67 unlikely as officials plan mixed-use development

Posted on by Justin Pot

9,500 people work in downtown Hillsboro. Only 400 of those people live there.

That’s just one of many statistics about downtown Hillsboro shared with city councillors last week during a work session about Block 67—the site where Hank’s Thriftway once stood. Citizens attending open houses have expressed a desire to see another grocery store open in its place, but there are several reasons why that’s not likely. Market analyst Jerry Johnson outlined the numbers at the meeting alongside Mark Clemons, Economic Development Director and Dan Dias, Senior Development Manager.

The median household income of a downtown Hillsboro resident is $36,584, compared to $67,757 city wide—a wide disparity. And it’s not hard to work out why: most of the housing downtown was built before 1980, which isn’t going to attract higher income residents when areas like Orenco and Amberglen are offering newer construction.

So don’t expect to see a grocery store on the former Hank’s Thriftway lot anytime soon: the demographics need to change for that to happen according to city officials.

“We need to broaden the demographics, which will then help all of those who are currently living there,” said Mayor Steve Callaway.

The plan is to use Block 67 to kickstart exactly that sort of demographic transformation with an Orenco-style mixed use development.

Block 67 is near a MAX station as well as various employers. City officials are currently drafting a list of requirements and requests for the sites; developers will be given the chance to bid for the project later this year. Requirements include mixed-use development with market rate residential and an open space that servers the larger community. Requests include a hotel and some sort of mixed income housing.

Councillors are confident the plan will revitalize the downtown area.

“This will start a cascade of investment downtown,” said Councillor Kyle Allen.

Council Darell Lumaco said the development “makes a statement,” and shows the city is committed to “keeping downtown downtown.”

The plan is for City Council to be reviewing submissions from developers come October, and for a developer to by chosen by November.

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