The Core Area is envisioned to be a place where you can live, work, and play.

The Core Area is an area in the center of Bend where both urban-scale buildings that include housing and businesses are encouraged. The Core Area includes four of the city’s “opportunity areas”, areas where growth is encouraged including:

• Bend Central District
• KorPine
• East Downtown
• Inner Highway 20/Greenwood

What is Tax Increment Financing (TIF)?

Tax Increment Financing is an economic development tool, also known as Urban Renewal, that allows cities to reinvest tax increment revenues over a period of time into a specific area that is economically stagnant, unsafe or where the older urban layout no longer works.  The goal of TIF is to make investments that spur private development that would not have otherwise occurred without TIF.  Learn more about the tool on the City’s Urban Renewal/TIF webpage. 

CORE AREA INTERACTIVE MAP

ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

CORE AREA ADVISORY BOARD

DOCUMENTS/ RESOURCES

TAX INCREMENT FINANCING

In 2020, the City adopted a tool to help realize the vision for the area- Tax Increment Financing, commonly known as Urban Renewal.

The Core Area Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Plan has a duration of 30 years and a maximum amount of indebtedness - amount of tax increment (funding) that can be issued to fund projects and programs for the Plan, of $195,000,000. These funds can be spent on the following project categories included in the Plan:

• Transportation, Streetscape, and Utility Infrastructure
• Affordable Housing Redevelopment and Development Assistance, Partnership, and Support
• Business Redevelopment and Development Assistance, Partnership, and Support
• Open Space, Facilities, Amenities, and Wayfinding
• Plan Administration, Implementation, Reporting, Planning Refinement, and Support

Core Area Advisory Board (CAAB)

In 2020, the Bend Urban Renewal Agency (BURA) formed CAAB to oversee implementation of the Core Area TIF Plan including budget oversight and overall performance.  CAAB is able to provide recommendations to both BURA and City Council on actions that support implementation of the Plan.

2023 Annual Performance Metrics Report

2022 Annual Performance Metrics Report

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Create a place where you can live, work, and play.

This is a walkable area with a balanced transportation system.

This area removes barriers and connects the East and West sides of Bend.

This plan leads to direct outcomes, it is implemented.

Affordability is preserved.

Public investments incentivize and catalyze private development.

The planning process is transparent and open to ensure that those affected by the decisions are involved in the process.

This area incorporates sustainable and low impact development principles and practice

ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

In 2023, the Bend Urban Renewal Agency (BURA) adopted two new incentive programs to help catalyze private development in the Core Area.

Core Area Business Assistance Program

This is an annual grant program to support both internal and external improvements that will improve the appearance and operations of businesses within the Core Area.

BACKGROUND

In 2019, the Bend Urban Renewal Agency (BURA) established the Urban Renewal Advisory Board (URAB) to serve as the advisory committee for the Core Area Project (CAP) planning/study process to create a common vision and implementation plan for Bend’s Core Area. The 18-member board, representing a broad cross-section of stakeholders and community members, met between February 2019 and April 2020. The proposed Core Area Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Plan is a result of the URAB’s work, and one of the recommended actions of the CAP Report.

The Core Area TIF Plan includes four of the nine citywide “opportunities areas” that were identified in the 2016 Comprehensive Plan update. These opportunity areas are locations within the City where growth is encouraged, and include the Bend Central District, KorPine, East Downtown, and Inner Highway 20/Greenwood.

The CAP community-driven process had active participation from URAB members, taxing districts, property and business owners, state agency partners, and City officials and staff. In addition to URAB meetings, the process included five “pop-up” outreach events at Bend Core Area businesses, two open houses, an online survey, and discussions with each of the taxing districts. Project staff also provided briefings and work sessions with the Planning Commission, BURA, and City Council.

The Core Area TIF Plan adoption process included formal comment from the taxing districts through individual meetings with each taxing district, and hearings before the Planning Commission, BURA, City Council, and a public briefing with the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners.

DOCUMENTS/RESOURCES

• Core Area Investment Map (last updated September 18,2024 vs. March 2023).
• Core Area Tax Increment Finance Plan
• Report Accompanying Core Area Tax Increment Finance Plan
• Map
• TIF Boundary Map
• Core Area Report - Executive Summary
• Council Presentation- Adoption of Core Area TIF Plan (August 5, 2020)