Made In Oregon Sign Debate Finds Solution

Everybody calm down. Commissioner Randy Leonard is going to meet with the University of Oregon tomorrow morning and “redouble [his] efforts]” to “find the middle ground” on the sign issue. There will be no fisticuffs, it appears.

“There have been many poor communications strategies employed,” said U of O vice president for institutional affairs Jan Oliver, during council testimony this morning. “I’m not here to cast blame, but that has been plaguing this issue for quite some time.”

Oliver said she respects Leonard’s concerns and looks forward to sitting down with him tomorrow to find an amicable solution. Like, er, this one, perhaps:

HOW’S THIS FOR CIVIC BULLYING? Illustration by BT Livemore…

Nevertheless, Leonard took a beating for his political strategy of threatening to use $500,000 in city money to condemn and buy the sign, from council’s straight-shooter, Dan Saltzman.

“Condemnation is one of the strongest powers at governments’ disposal,” said Saltzman. “It should be used judiciously and in circumstances where it’s appropriate. Going nuclear in this instance is entirely inappropriate. As best I can tell, the only reason this issue is before us at this time is because Commissioner Leonard’s feelings are hurt.“

“Where do we draw the line?” asked Saltzman. “Next time one of us feels like we’re not getting what we want, all we have to do is find two colleagues to support as and we’ll get what we want.”

“It doesn’t send the right signal to ordinary citizens,” Saltzman continued. “Where do small businesses and citizens stand? If they do something that may cross the city commissioner’s path, then God help you.”

“I know that our city employees feel that this is very devaluing of their contributions,” he said. “This is not the Portland way to resolve a dispute.“

Leonard said he was “disappointed” in Saltzman’s attempts to “personalize this issue with his remarks over the last couple of days.”

“I haven’t attempted to bully the process or steal the sign but to sit down as civic partners and have a rational and reasonable discussion about the sign,” Leonard said.

Commissioner Nick Fish said he has a bet with one of Leonard’s staffers that the city won’t end up having to use condemnation to take control of the sign, and that he sincerely hopes that Leonard and the University of Oregon will be able to negotiate a solution.

Saltzman proposed an amendment to Leonard’s resolution: “no general fund dollars, no tax increment financing, no urban renewal or ratepayer dollars,” will be used to pay for the sign. Leonard said he might use “fees, income from rental property,” or other sources to pay for it, but that will be worked out later.

“Ultimately I think we’ll reach the right result, but not to the detriment of the owner,” said Fish—again suggesting that he may be co-sponsoring Leonard’s resolution, but that he really, you know, doesn’t want to take the heat for Leonard’s “civic bullying” from Saltzman or the Oregonian editorial board. “I appreciate that we have a commissioner who is willing to be a lightning rod,” said Fish. “I’m heartened that there will be some conversations tomorrow so that hopefully, by next week, this matter will be resolved.”

“This is not the way we should be conducting our business,” said Commissioner Amanda Fritz. “Why would we want to spend time and effort and public money that would otherwise be available for others basic needs on this? I question the timing.”

“Fundamentally, on the record, until the part about the civic hissy fit, I fundamentally agreed with what Victoria Taft said,” said Fritz. “And there’s not many times that that would happen.”

I’ve posted details of the public testimony—including Taft’s quote—for your interest, after the jump.

Public testimony leaned both ways. County Commissioner Deborah Kafoury said she appreciated the effort to take control of the sign, as a native Portlander. Mike Gregory, Associate Vice President of PSU said the sign is “a dramatic symbol of this city.” “I think it’s counter-productive for one university to try to overshadow another,” said Hannah Fisher of PSU.

“I think some people have framed this as a battle between Portland State and the University of Oregon,” said Fish—whose wife happens to teach history at PSU. “I think this city has recognized that having a healthy Portland State, and welcoming a new neighbor, the U Of O, is really about strengthening our city as a whole. This should never have been about pitting one institution against another.”

“The university of Oregon is part of our old town/Chinatown family,” said Stephen Ying, director of the Chinese Consolidated Business Association. “The university of Oregon has been a great partner and invested enormously. The proposed changes by the university were done with great sensitivity to the neighborhood.” Ying said council should continue following the landmarks commission process to change the sign, and not buy it through condemnation.

Even right wing radio host Victoria Taft weighed in. She was here to talk about Mayor Sam Adams, but found herself moved to talk. Fish said “she’s becoming a regular.” Then Taft:”This is about private property rights,” she said. “The last thing you’d want to do is send a message that you’re willing to take private property away from people. This seems to me a situation born of a civic hissy fit.”