Portland spent more than $12 million on Centennial Mills in six years as plans halted - KATU

A recent fire at Centennial Mills was a loss of a historical landmark and immediately raised concerns about hazardous materials like asbestos and lead exposure. This incident brought new scrutiny to the decades the property sat largely undeveloped, and how much public money actually went into the site.

Public investment in the property stretches back for many years. A September 2006 city report indicated that more than $12 million in tax increment and other funding had already been allocated for the acquisition by that time.

This substantial expenditure with no tangible progress leaves Portland taxpayers questioning the management of public funds and the lack of results. The persistent state of the undeveloped site, coupled with potential dangers from hazardous materials after the fire, directly affects public safety and urban planning discussions. The renewed questions highlight challenges when significant public resources are committed to a property without clear resolution.

The initial $12 million spent on acquisition alone by 2006 suggests the total public financial commitment to this undeveloped site could be significantly higher.