nike headquarters
Nike's World Headquarters campus from above.
(Doug Beghtel, The Oregonian)
Beaverton City Council has approved an agreement with Washington County to streamline the permitting process for Nike's proposed World Headquarters expansion.
Cheryl Twete, city community development director, presented the agreement at the Aug. 12 meeting. The approved agreement gives permitting and planning authority solely to the county,creating "a single point of contact" for the campus expansion, she said.
"This represents a pretty major step forward in our community and in our county," she said.
The $150 million minimum Nike World Headquarters expansion will add at least 500 jobs, according to a press release the city sent out following the vote. Back in December 2012, the Oregon Legislature met in special session and pledged to keep Nike's tax status for 30 years in exchange for the company choosing to expand headquarters in state.
The campus expansion is within the area surrounded by SW Walker Road, SW Murray Boulevard, SW Jenkins Road and SW 158th Avenue, according to city documents. Roughly 15 percent of that area is within Beaverton city limits, and the rest is Washington County's jurisdiction. Nike first started acquiring land in that area in 2012 and 2013, according to the city.
During visitor comment time, Pam Treece, executive director of the Westside Economic Alliance, encouraged the council to pass the agreement and show support for business.
Councilors also voiced their approval. Nike is the largest private sector employer in Beaverton, and employs about 8,000 people in Washington County, according to the city.
"The presence of Nike in this community is massively important," councilor Marc San Soucie said.
The Washington County Board of Commissioners will consider the agreement at the Aug. 19 meeting. Washington County Board Chair Andy Duyck said in the press release that he expects the board will " follow suit."
After the meeting, Beaverton Mayor Denny Doyle said the agreement simply makes the expansion planning process smoother.
"We demonstrated very clearly that we're there to help Nike succeed," he said.
The initial agreement term ends Dec. 31, 2020.
The council also voted to look at the withdrawal of an about five-acre parcel of land that is surrounded by the Nike campus but sits within city boundaries. The council's decision is not final, and the withdrawal will be subject to public hearings, Twete said.
In other news:
- City Council approved liquor licenses for El Ranchito Mini Market, located at 12588 SW Gem Lane, Super Play at 9300 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway and Karam Lebanese Deli & Catering at 2800 SW Cedar Hills Boulevard. Also, council approved licenses following change of ownership at Siam Lotus Restaurant at 12600 SW Crescent St. Suite 150 and Homewood Suites Hotel at 15525 NW Gateway Court and a change in licensing for Evergreen Curling Club, located at 10950 SW 5th Street, suit 155.
- The Beaverton Police Department promoted Matthew Kingsbury and Rex Bennett to sergeant positions. Both men were sworn in and presented with their badges during the meeting. The department also recognized chaplains Paul Olds, Jim McGuire and Paul Lautenbach.
- During public comment time, Sharon Stravs and Lilian Prince from
- The council heard updates on the South Cooper Mountain development plans.
- Council approved the recommendation of Anne Lee to the Bicycle Advisory Committee and William Encinas and Manijeh Mehrnoosh as alternates on the Human Rights Advisory Committee.
- Council approved an explanatory statement for the November ballot measure to
--Laura Frazier |
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