West Portland Town Center Plan Community Workshop – Markham Elementary - November 9, 2019

Agenda

1:00 - Open house and lunch **Interpretation and childcare available from 1 to 5 p.m.

2:00 - Event starts – Welcome!

2:05 - Overview presentation

2:20 - Small group exercises Exercise #1 – Concepts to build from: explore what we’ve heard & new ideas

2:50 - Break and raffle

3:00 - Exercise #2 – The best future town center: what is in it and how is it all connected

4:30 - Report back

4:55 - Wrap up: next steps and final raffle

Land acknowledgement

Portland rests on traditional village sites of the Multnomah, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Chinook, Tualatin Kalapuya, Molalla and many other Tribes who made their homes along the Columbia River.

The City is working on what it means to lift up indigenous voices and to determine ways in which we can decolonize our spaces and approach. Genocide is a complicated historical event that cannot be summed up in a minute-long intro at an event. While there are many deep and long-term actions that need to take place to fully restore the rights of indigenous peoples, we know that one way we can lean into this racial equity work is by acknowledging the land we are currently standing upon.

It is also our hope to draw attention to the opportunities that exist when it comes to naming the complex and robust history and supporting the future of indigenous Oregonians. Please join us in an acknowledgement of the land we are standing on.

  

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

     

     

 

         

   

 

     

   

   

 

 

   

   

 

   

West Portland Town Center Plan COMMON THEMES ARISE FROM ENGAGING A DIVERSE COMMUNITY 

Residents in the West Portland Town Center share hopes, aspirations and 

pride for their diverse and strong community  

Nearly 200 residents came together at two events in the spring and summer of 2019 to hear each other’s stories, build community, and create a vision for the 

area. Participants were asked: “What is your greatest hope for the town 

center? What are you most proud of now?”  

“West Portland is a beautiful place that I spend most of my time because of my 

community. I would like to see more affordable housing, a food market, and a 

community center.”

“I want it (West Portland Town Center) to be a real place that naturally draws many people rather than cars to the area, a SW PDX living room like Pioneer Courthouse Square.”

“I’m proud of the growing cultural diversity in our neighborhoods so my son can grow up with greater understanding and appreciation for other cultures and languages. I’m worried about non‐English language speakers not getting their voices heard — they’re so often not at the table but are affected most by 

displacement.” 

“It needs to become highly walkable. It needs to become a true urban village. 

And the land use needs to be efficient, as opposed to empty parking lots and non‐place, people of all incomes should be walking, biking and taking transit.”

“My hope is that everyone has decent housing, adequate access to healthy 

food, and efficient transit to school, work, etc.”

“My hope is for West Portland Town Center to become a community with easy access to all livability requirements with a diverse population of people across income, ethnicity, age, LGBTQ, and any other under‐represented folks. And a complete infrastructure to support all.”

  

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  

    

   

 

 

     

   

   

 

 

 

   

     

 

Small group discussions about health, housing, economic prosperity and cultural and community assets 

In groups, neighbors discussed their needs and challenges. People talked about the pride in their multi‐cultural 

community and the desire to become more diverse. Some priorities we heard are summarized below:

Prevent residential and cultural/social displacement. Housing displacement is a major concern. It affects households and the broader community.  

Invest in a walkable and safe pedestrian environment to improve health outcomes and reconnect a divided area and offer choices beyond the private automobile.  

Connect people and places. Community is about relationships, which need cultural gathering spaces and physical improvements across the area. 

Support a more resilient and emergency‐ready community  

Support living wage jobs and affordable housing for young adults. 

Plan for healthy food options that bring people together and provide business opportunities. 

Plan for a multicultural commercial hub with affordable retail and culturally relevant goods and services. 

Jobs and training for low‐income residents should come with the new development.  

A walking tour highlighted the physical challenges of a town center divided by roads Some themes and highlights we heard are summarized below:

The town center area is divided in two. I‐5 and Barbur split the area into north and south, creating a potential for two “hearts”: 

1. The civic and multi‐family/residential area near Markham Elementary south of I‐5. 

2. The area around Taylor’s Ferry, anchored by Barbur World Foods, is a commercial center north of I‐5.

Roadway conditions are a barrier and need improvements to de‐emphasize the role of cars in local circulation. 

Many people are scared to walk and bike, especially on Barbur and SW Capitol.

People want places to gather — commercial AND community‐oriented spaces. 

Barbur Transit Center has potential for redevelopment to serve community needs, but getting there safely is as important as what is built there. 

The I‐5 pedestrian bridge is a critical link, but some people do not know it exists! 

Next Steps Project staff and community partners are using this feedback to inform and guide the development of West Portland 

Town Center future land use scenarios and a community development framework. In February 2020, a draft of these will 

be released for review and discussion at an open house. Keep in touch and learn more at: www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/westportland. 

Questions?  Contact Joan Frederiksen at joan.frederiksen@portlandoregon.gov or call 503‐823‐3111  

Portland Southwest Corridor Area and Site Planning Project | October 2019 | Urbsworks, Inc

BUILDINGS - FUTURE POSSIBILITIES

SMALL APARTMENT » Height: 25 - 40 feet

» 2 – 4 stories

» Uses: Residential

TOWNHOME » Height: 35 – 45 feet

» 2 – 4 stories

» Uses: Residential, live/work possible on ground floor

MED. APARTMENT » Height: 45 – 55 feet

» 4 – 6 stories

» Uses: Residential

MEDIUM MIXED USE » Height: maximum 45 - 55 feet

» 4 – 5 stories

» Uses: Ground floor retail or office space, upper floors residential

4-6 STORY OFFICE » Height: 45 – 65 feet

» 4 – 6 stories

» Uses: Primarily office uses, ground floor can include accessory retail uses

LARGE MIXED USE » Height: 75 – 105 feet

» 7 – 10 stories

» Uses: Ground floor retail or office space, upper floors include a combination of office and residential uses

Indicates a building type that may trigger Inclusionary Housing requirements. Inclusionary Housing requires all residential buildings with 20 or more units to provide 15% of units affordable at 80% median family income, or 10% of units affordable at 60% median family income.

Indicates a building type that is required to meet accessibility requirements.

Portland Southwest Corridor Area and Site Planning Project | October 2019 | Urbsworks, Inc

STREET AND PATH - FUTURE POSSIBILITIES

» Number of lanes: One in each direction with possible center turning lane

» Travel speeds are lower

» Modes: Separated spaces for pedestrians; cyclists share the road

» Parking: Diagonal or parallel on-street parking

» Character of surrounding development: Pedestrian friendly with ground-floor retail, street trees, and wide sidewalks

MAIN STREET » Number of lanes: One or two

through lanes; may not be striped.

» Travel speeds are higher

» Modes: Separated spaces for pedestrians and cyclists

» Parking: No on-street parking

» Character of surrounding development: Either pedestrian friendly with ground-floor retail, street trees, and wide sidewalks , or auto-oriented.

MAJOR STREET » Number of lanes: One - two

though lanes may not be striped

» Travel speeds are low

» Modes: All modes share the same space

» Parking: May or may not have on-street parking.

» Character of surrounding development: Residential

LOCAL STREET

OPEN SPACE - FUTURE POSSIBILITIES

PAVED PLAZA » Minimum dimensions: 20,000

square feet (140 x 140 feet)

» Maximum dimensions: 90,000 sf (300 x 300 feet)

» Maximum length: 300 feet

» Physical characteristics: Paved ground surface, trees and other landscaping in structured areas or containers

POCKET PARK » Dimensions: Variable, often

the size of a typical lot

» Can include paved areas as well as landscaped areas

» Possible elements: Community garden, benches and tables, paved walkways, skate park, play structures, open field/lawn, water feature, picnic pavilion, pedestrian-scaled lighting

COMMON GREEN » A common green is typically

between 10 and 30 feet wide. The length of a common green varies.

» Possible elements: Landscaping such as planters, bioswales and trees, open field/lawn, benches and tables, pedestrian-scaled lighting.