In 1979 the City Council formed the Lake Oswego Redevelopment Agency (LORA) to conduct urban renewal activities for the City. At the recommendation of a citizen committee, the initial focus of the Agency would be on revitalization of Lake Oswego's East End, in a designated district that generally extends from the Willamette River to Sixth Street, and from Lakewood Bay to C Avenue. It also includes the downtown commercial areas along State Street from Terwilliger Boulevard to Ladd Street.
In 1986 LORA adopted the East End Redevelopment Plan, thus creating the East End Redevelopment District and authorizing tax increment financing as the principle method of implementing plan projects. The tax base of the tax year 1987-88 was established as the starting point to determine available tax increment into the future. In 2004, the City Council adopted a significant amendment to the Plan to address changes in conditions and statutory requirements, amend the project list, and increase the District's maximum indebtedness to $93.8 million.
Urban renewal is authorized by ORS Chapter 457.
