Mayer/Reed, Author at Mayer Reed

Shannon Simms Presents at the American Public Works Association Conference

Associate Principal Shannon Simms (Mayer/Reed), along with Steffi McDonald (David Evans and Associates) and Dana Beckwith (Global Transportation Engineering) will present “Lifecycle of Portland’s Premier Cycle Track” at the American Public Works Association (APWA) Oregon Chapter Fall Conference on October 19^th. The session will explore how a grassroots temporary cycle track on Portland’s Naito Parkway became a state-of-the-art active transportation facility with the quirky name, “Better Naito Forever.”

Today, Naito provides better accessibility, safety and circulation for all users with its new bike signals, protected pedestrian refuges and a continuous sidewalk along the entirety of Waterfront Park. The project’s goals were realized through extensive engagement with the community and stakeholders, including Portland Parks & Recreation and festival organizers. The presentation will cover the changes made at each stage and the final design solutions, including the redesign of the world’s smallest park, Mill Ends Park.

Growing Leadership: Shannon Simms Named Associate Principal

We’re delighted to announce the promotion of Shannon Simms, ASLA to associate principal and shareholder. With her expertise as a landscape architect and urban designer, Shannon leads planning and design of complex, urban environments for recreation and active transportation. Her recent projects include the Green Loop Concepts (Portland, OR), Southwest Corridor Light Rail Urban Design (Portland to Tualatin, OR), Ebey Waterfront Trail, Master Plan & Phase 1 (Marysville, WA) and St. Helens Riverfront Park (St. Helens, OR).

Shannon holds a Master of Landscape Architecture from Harvard University Graduate School of Design and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Boston University. She is a past vice president of member services for Oregon ASLA and has mentored design students as an adjunct instructor for urban design and landscape programs at the University of Oregon.

Mayer/Reed Leadership Looks to the Future

Mayer/Reed is marking the next chapter of our interdisciplinary design leadership—honoring a legacy of design excellence and promoting from within.

Kathy Fry, SEGD and Jeramie Shane, ASLA lead the visual communications and landscape architecture groups respectively and continue to work side-by-side to evolve Mayer/Reed’s collaborative approach to forward-thinking design. Together with Shannon Simms, ASLA, who was recently promoted to associate principal and shareholder, they see a future filled with possibilities where the studio’s integrated disciplines thrive through curiosity and cross-pollination.

“We’re designing for an ever-changing world,” says Jeramie, “and we’re cultivating a studio that encourages pressing beyond what we know to what might be revealed through a creative process. Listening, collaboration and making space for tinkering and iteration is a mindset.”

“As we navigate evolving technologies, new social patterns and climate change with our clients, we’re guided by our long-standing core values,” adds Kathy. “We’re talking about enduring, resilient and adaptive design—key for the health and well-being of our communities and environment.”

Founding partner Carol Mayer-Reed, FASLA remains focused on client relations, projects and design mentorship. “I’m reflecting on the people who inspired me and encouraged me to find my voice in design. In turn, I’m continuing to express my passion for the profession as a mentor and encouraging women to lead with their strong design sensibilities.”

“Carol has been an inspiration to so many people including me,” notes Shannon. “Her influence is far reaching. I’m honored to be a part of the firm’s ongoing success as a women-owned business.”

There’s a New Bus in Town

Have you seen the new “bendy” green buses? It’s FX2-Division, TriMet’s new high-capacity bus route along Division Street connecting Southeast Portland and Gresham. With 60% more seats than a typical bus, boarding through 3 doors and dedicated lanes in some areas, it’s sure to keep passengers moving.

Over the weekend a fun-filled grand opening event kicked off the new line at three festival sites along the route: Gresham Farmer’s Market, PCC Festival Marketplace and OMSI Station. The community came together to celebrate the completion which is a milestone for TriMet in their commitment to reducing carbon emissions, providing more equitable transportation and reducing traffic congestion.

Mayer/Reed’s visual communications team is thrilled to have worked with TriMet and the project team to distinguish FX from other TriMet services with a custom-designed station pylon and a branded shelter and windscreen pattern. Take a ride to discover the new stations, including four stops with unique shelter graphics celebrating key neighborhoods. The stations are striking with their signature green, but safety and accessibility are top priorities. We designed the windscreen graphics to maintain clear views and worked with the project team and community stakeholders on platform markings and tactile elements to help cyclists and pedestrians of all abilities to safely navigate the new station layouts.

Congrats to TriMet and project team collaborators – WSP, PIVOT, DKS Associates, MZLA, Raimore Construction, and Landscape Forms. To plan your first ride, visit trimet.org.