"Best European city in America"
Posted by: kmikeym | From: June 13, 2006
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."
Ive said this a thousand times... and its nice to know others see it this way as well. Still we are "somewhat European" and that's good, Portland has a certain intelligence and maturity to it. On another euro note I just bought a fine European automobile last week.
Posted by: jj at June 13, 2006 4:28 PM
yeah, this place definitely makes you feel like you're in another country. the houses on the hillside always remind me of Norway. it makes me sad to see people building bland looking houses and commercial buildings (24 Hour Fitness at the Hollywood Max stop), because we have to fight that junk as much as possible if we want to keep the awesome aesthetics this city has.
Posted by: dalas verdugo at June 14, 2006 11:38 AM
Have I mentioned lately that I love this blog? It makes me warm and fuzzy on a regular basis. Wooo positivity! (With substance!)
Posted by: Matt Wright at June 15, 2006 10:01 AM
FYI: That "California developer" has gone back to the city with plans to develop mixed-use towers on the five or six blocks it controls between the central district and the Spaghetti Factory.
Posted by: Steve K at June 29, 2006 3:55 PM
does this "California developer" have a name? is there a public process in place to address their proposals? i'd like more info. just because it's "mixed use" doesn't mean that a developer with an initial plan for a gated community on OUR riverfront has come around.
-t
Posted by: Tom the Intern at October 24, 2006 10:32 AM
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Hectares! Love it!
After I moved back from Germany, I wanted to move back, but then I kind of rediscovered Portland. I now feel like Portland is the only American city I could live in.
Portland's many virtues -- bike-friendly, sustainable lifestyles, compact city, good for walking, great transit system, good food, lots of local organic farms and restaurants that use their products, etc. etc. -- are what make me feel like I'm not completely frustrated and alienated by the values and lifestyles around me (like I feel in other cities in the US).
Posted by: freddy at June 13, 2006 3:53 PM