Developer’s request would lay groundwork for Portland’s tallest building

By Randy Billings, Portland Press Herald

"A longtime Portland developer and Old Port landowner is requesting a zoning measure that could pave the way for construction of the city’s tallest building.

Tim Soley of East Brown Cow Management Inc. is asking city planners to award height bonuses to developers in the Old Port area who create publicly accessible open space on their sites and protect that open space with public easements.

If his request is approved, Soley would be able – and appears ready – to submit plans for a building of more than 20 stories on what’s now a parking lot in the middle of the block bounded by Middle, Exchange, Fore and Union streets.

“Portland is experiencing unprecedented growth, and the number of undeveloped downtown lots will continue to shrink,” Soley said in a written statement. “We’re excited about our vision, as well as the potential for the creation of other invaluable public space downtown.”"

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