June 2006 Archives

The Oregonian reports that the "most European" street in Portland, SW Ankeny between 2nd and 3rd, may get even more European. The businesses on the street would like to see it made into a pedestrian-only street, sure to allow the neighborhood to blossom.

As awesome as the idea is, it won't happen unless they find a way to pay to "make the request, change signs, possibly move underground utilities and take on other costs" associated with the change. The businesses don't want to pay. They hope to get it incorporated into Old Town revitalization projects that already have funding. I'm happy to have it come out of the city budget or the businesses' -- I just want to see it happen.

The International Herald Tribune has an article on the South Waterfront District entitled, "Best European city in America". The article gives an overview of the project and the people involved.

The South Waterfront District, which consists of 130 acres, or 53 hectares, on abandoned industrial land, is the biggest redevelopment project in Port- land history. Construction has begun in the first neighborhood, the $2 billion Central District, covering 31 acres. When the project is completed, South Waterfront will include 5,000 residents, along with restaurants and shops, and a new campus for the Oregon Health and Science University, which is about two miles, or 3.5 kilometers, above the site in Marquam Hill.

I didn't realize that the area being worked on now was just part of the whole plan, nor did I know that the City turned down a proposal from a California developer to build a gated community at the same location. Nice work Portland! And the article ends on a nice green note:

"This is a landmark urban develop- ment that's actually going to improve the quality of the natural environment," said Bob Sallinger, urban conservation director for the Audubon Society of Portland. "That's huge."

The BTA Blog points out that Portland is the U.S.'s leading city for sustainability, according to a new study by a San Francisco-based organization, SustainLane.Com.

Looking at 15 factors, from affordable housing to the ability to deal with dramatic changes such as surging energy prices or natural disasters, Portland outshined Seattle and San Francisco to top the group of 50 cities ranked.

The methodology for their rankings is interesting and there is a very positive article all about Portland's first place in sustainability. (Portland is listed as tied in the rankings for 1st, but Portland scored an 85.08 and Seattle only got an 81.82.)