David Moore of Equity Advantage 1031 Exchange recently spoke with Jose Cienfuegos, president of the Revitalize Portland Coalition, about why Portland Oregon’s executive mayor could represent an important shift in Portland’s approach to growth, investment, and development.
According to Jose, during a meeting with the mayor, attendees were invited to identify the codes affecting transactions and building that they wanted to see changed. The mayor asked them to create a wish list of improvements that could make those processes smoother and more effective.
For property owners, investors, builders, and business owners, that invitation creates an opportunity to identify the rules and processes that could work better. Rather than simply identifying problems, the mayor is asking the community to help find practical solutions.
What the Request for Practical Ideas Really Means
Jose believes the mayor’s request is about more than identifying problems. It’s an invitation for the people who work with Portland’s codes and processes every day to help improve them.
That means the mayor isn’t just looking for broad opinions or general concerns. Instead, he wants specific ideas for improving the codes affecting transactions and building.
If a code creates unnecessary obstacles or a process could be made smoother, the mayor wants to hear about it. Jose believes that if city leaders are asking for that kind of input, the community should respond with practical suggestions rather than general complaints.
He also encourages people to share those ideas with organizations like the Revitalize Portland Coalition so they can advocate for changes on behalf of property owners, investors, builders, and business owners.
Why an Executive Mayor Makes a Difference
One reason Jose is encouraged is that Portland now has an executive mayor with the authority to make decisions in an executive role. He believes that gives city leadership the ability to start moving the ball in the right direction.
Because the mayor has invited the community to identify codes that should be changed or improved, Jose believes the right response is to provide clear, constructive information. For those involved in real estate, development, and local business, that means identifying the codes affecting transactions and building that could work better, explaining how they affect your work, and offering practical ideas for improvement.
What a Useful Code Wish List Can Address
Jose encourages people to identify the obstacles they encounter and bring those ideas forward. For property owners, investors, builders, and business owners, that could include questions such as:
- Which requirements make a real estate transaction more difficult than necessary?
- Which building-related rules create delays or uncertainty?
- Where do applicants encounter unclear or inconsistent processes?
- Which procedures could be simplified while still accomplishing their purpose?
- What changes would make it easier to invest, build, operate, and remain in Portland?
Jose’s point is not simply to criticize existing rules. It is to identify specific opportunities for improvement and give city leaders practical ideas they can evaluate.
An Invitation to Participate
Jose says he plans to respond by bringing forward ideas for improving the city’s codes and processes, and he encourages others to do the same.
He believes that if the city is asking what needs to change, the community should answer. By sharing specific obstacles with organizations like the Revitalize Portland Coalition, property owners, investors, builders, and business owners can help shape the recommendations presented to city leaders.
Portland’s executive mayor has indicated a willingness to listen, and Jose sees this as an opportunity for people who want to be in Portland to help shape the conversation by sharing the changes they believe would make the city better.
If you are investing in Portland or considering a 1031 Exchange, contact Equity Advantage to speak with an Exchange expert about your options and how thoughtful real estate investment can support both your long-term goals and Portland’s continued revitalization.
The Guys With All The Answers…
David and Thomas Moore, the co-founders of Equity Advantage & IRA Advantage
Whether working through a 1031 Exchange with Equity Advantage, acquiring real estate with an IRA through IRA Advantage or listing investment property through our Post 1031 property listing site, we are here to help Investors get where they want to be. Call them today! 503-635-1031.
FAQ’s About Portland’s Mayor and His Request for Ideas
How is Portland’s executive mayor different from previous mayors?
Portland’s executive mayor has the authority to make executive decisions under the city’s current form of government. Jose believes that gives city leadership the ability to begin moving ideas forward, including practical suggestions for improving the codes and processes affecting transactions and building.
What is the mayor asking the community to do?
The mayor has asked people to identify the codes affecting transactions and building that should be changed, simplified, or improved and to share those ideas with the city.
How can businesses and property owners share ideas?
Jose encourages property owners, investors, builders, business owners, and others to share their suggestions with organizations like the Revitalize Portland Coalition so they can advocate for those changes.
