A Condominium Alternative
A condominium development has been studied and would be considered the second most viable option—particularly in light of Oregon Senate Bill 1537. Senate Bill 1537 and other state laws require a clear and objective pathway for residential projects to obtain building permits—meaning there will not be an evaluation of “compatibility” or other discretionary factors by the Hood River Planning Commission or City Council. Instead, City review would be limited to objective criteria in the code, such as setbacks.
In addition to the clear and objective pathway, state law requires the City to:
Allow increased development density
Allow an additional 10 feet of building height above the code limit
Reduce parking requirements
- Not require the project to meet compatibility and other discretionary criteria that apply to non-residential projects
- Approve a housing project without any public hearing, with appeal rights only available to the applicant
These provisions create a more streamlined permitting path for high-density residential construction with less public input.
Why a Hotel Is the Best Fit
After carefully evaluating a variety of redevelopment concepts for the 419 State Street site, the project team still believes a hotel is the strongest and most appropriate long-term use.
A thoughtfully designed hotel:
- Supports downtown vitality
- Creates year-round economic activity
- Provides a welcoming destination for visitors and residents alike
- Offers meaningful public benefits—local jobs, tax revenue, shared amenities, and increased foot traffic for local businesses—while preserving open space and respecting the surrounding character of downtown Hood River
Condominium Development Details
For a condominium project to be financially viable, 100% of the site would likely need to be developed. This would result in:
- Two adjoining six-story towers
- High-density, mixed-use development with over 100 condominium units along with commercial space, which may incorporate hotel components
- Units priced at the upper end of the market
Such a development would primarily appeal to second-home and investment buyers rather than full-time residents.
The image is a rendering of the proposed condominium development.
A Thoughtful Choice for the Community
While residential development remains an alternative, the proposed hotel represents a more balanced and community-oriented approach—one that supports the broader economic health of downtown while preserving open space and maintaining a welcoming, accessible environment for everyone.