Last year, the PDC paid $380,000 to survey residents withinurban renewal districts about urban renewal issues, but the reportapparently didn't address specific causes. A new study wouldspecifically address what has caused gentrification to date.

The poster neighborhoods for the issue are in NortheastPortland, where much redevelopment and renovation of commercialbuildings and roads has occurred. The revitalization has broughtnew restaurants and art galleries willing to pay higher rents, andin turn has attracted investors and first-time home buyers who paytop dollar for the property, which more often than not waspreviously being used as a rental.

Mazziotti has said the purpose of the new study is not anattempt to absolve the agency of any responsibility. Rather, hesaid the plan is to find out just how significant an affect, ifany, the PDC's activities have on gentrification.