Oct. 24, 2013

NEWS & NOTES

Forum panelists agree - Westside is where it's at

The Westside's commercial real estate market is evolving, according to the panelists at today's Breakfast Forum.
Moderator Tim Parker from Melvin Mark Companies said, "Yes, the Westside is where it's at."

Clayton Hering from Norris Beggs & Simpson dazzled the audience with data about the Portland Metropolitan Statistical Area. Hering said the majority of manufacturing jobs in the MSA are found in Washington and Clackamas counties. He stressed the importance of jobs in the pursuit of economic vitality.

Scott Weigel from CBRE said timing was key when Salesforce.com began looking at the Synopsis campus in Hillsboro. Weigel said Synopsis had built an extra high rise office building that sat empty for 10 years. He also described the high vacancy commercial real estate scene from three years ago and compared it to the tightening market brokers are seeing today.

Brad Fletcher went into even more detail in explaining the landscape of today's market.

Audience members were interested in the future investments for infrastructure to accommodate the growing region.

To see photos from today's event, please see and "like" our Facebook page.

Trio joins WEA Board of Directors

Blake Hering

Thomas Randall

The Alliance is proud to welcome three new directors to its Board.

Blake Hering is representing Norris Beggs & Simpson on the WEA Board. He has been with Norris Beggs & Simpson since 1999 and is currently the Director of Portland Production. He was recognized as the firm's Finance Officer of the Year in 2010.

Thomas Randall recently became the property manager of Washington Square, which is owned by Macerich. Previously, Randall managed Macerich properties in Phoenix, Arizona for 11 years.

Nancy Roberts

Nancy Roberts is the new Chief Operating Officer at Providence's St. Vincent Medical Center.

Roberts has been with Providence for several years and even worked with WEA's Executive Director Pam Treece back in 1984.

Welcome to the Alliance

WEA's Board of Directors also approved the membership of two new members yesterday at its monthly meeting. Welcome to:

Banner Bank - connecting with businesses and communities to meet all of their customers' banking and financial needs.
Standring Groveland Investment Company - with investment property near Helvetia and Highway 26, which could be considered for future industrial development if it's brought inside the U-G-B.

We look forward to building relationships with these new members and inviting them to engage with our committees.

Development, building industry invited to County forum

The Department of Land Use and Transportation is hosting a forum for those in the development and/or building industries to learn more about Washington County services.
Customers are invited on Tuesday, October 29 from 8:30 - 10:00 a.m. to meet County staff at the Public Services Building in Hillsboro and learn more about initiatives, processing timelines and to give their feedback.
To learn more, visit the County's website.

Events coming up

Development Forum - Washington County is inviting builders and developers to learn more about the services available on Tuesday, October 29 at 8:30 a.m. in the Public Services Building in Hillsboro.
Transportation Committee - Members are welcomg to join us on Wednesday, November 13 from 7:30 a.m. at WHPacific (9755 SW Barnes Road, Portland, Oregon 97225) where we will be getting an update on the Southwest Corridor Plan and discussing other important transportation issues.
The first annual WEA celebration - This event is for members only. We will gather and celebrate the accomplishments of 2013, while engaging with our members. Save the date for Thursday, November 14. The time will be in the late afternoon, early evening and will be at the Scholls Businesss Park. Thanks to KG Investment Management for hosting us.
Next Breakfast Forum - We will let you enjoy the 4th Thursday in November with your family and friends, since this is Thanksgiving. In December the 4th Thursday runs into the busy holiday season as well, so we will combine the two months and host the last Breakfast Forum of the year on Thursday, December 12.

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