Randy Rappaport, the Portland developer who purchased the Beets Automotive property last year, has plans to put a 4-story building on the lot. Rappaport hopes to create a public / private partnership with the City of Portland to develop a mixed use building with a 4,500 square foot grocery store on the ground level and 60 apartment units above. The plan includes 25 parking spaces – 10 for shoppers and 15 spaces for residents.
Rappaport describes the apartment project as “workforce housing” – housing that’s affordable for someone working the average sort of job. Aimed at increasing the supply of housing in Montavilla, the units will be small, but functional. For example, the one bedrooms will be 400 square feet in size.
In order for the project to move forward with the city’s approval, Rappaport will need the support of the business community and resident groups. He has outreach plans to visit a neighborhood association meeting in the future and will also be on the agenda for the next METBA luncheon meeting on July 11th from 12-1:30pm at the Flying Pie Pizzeria.
