OLD TOWN, Oregon — Oregon, especially the Old Town neighborhood in Portland, has a rich history of sportswear and footwear culture. Now, owners in the neighborhood are looking to take things to the next level and create a place for apparel companies to create, design and manufacture together.
The Old Town neighborhood is already home to Hilos, a company that prints 3D footwear on demand. The site was so innovative that it inspired the Old Town Community Association to utilize vacant buildings and do the same thing.
"(This will) ensure that stakeholders in the Old Town neighborhood would permanently own a collection of buildings," said Jonathan Cohen, a board member of the Old Town Community Association. "This could be business owners, residents or other organizations that are headquartered here and want to see a common purpose for the development of the district."
The Old Town Community Association wants to take eight vacant buildings and turn them into a manufacturing facility. They want to help local apparel and footwear companies stay on trend with cutting-edge technology, while also producing clothing right at home.
"Acquire or build all of those buildings, and it be used for manufacturing, storage, distribution, live-work spaces, shared office spaces and dedicated retail," said Cohen, who also co-owns the Society Hotel in Old Town.
Oregon lawmakers have approved $2 million for the Made in Old Town Development Project, but this is just a small piece of what they need to get this hub going.
The Old Town Association estimates it will cost $120 million to complete the project in its entirety.
"It's not even close to what is needed, but it's giving us an opportunity to provide proof of concept," said Jessie Burke, who also co-owns the Society Hotel alongside her husband, Jonathan. She is also an Old Town Community Association board member.
"We'll work on one building and show that the model can work, and then the longer session, which is in an odd number of years, will give us an opportunity to ask for more funding," she explained.
Ian Williams, who owns Deadstock Coffee Roasters in Old Town, said he will believe in this project when he sees it.
"I am skeptical," admitted Williams. "Are we going to be able to keep it here? We need as many outside-facing things as possible; we don't need things to be indoors. The neighborhood does best when people are moving and doing things."
Backers for the Made in Old Town Project believe the hub could bring in $125 million in foreign investment in just seven years.