COMMUNITY Archives - Page 12 of 21

Portland Design Commission Honors the Elks Children’s Eye Clinic with Award of Excellence

elks children's eye clinic Last week the Portland Design Commission presented their third annual Design Excellence Award to the Elks Children’s Eye Clinic on Oregon Health & Science University’s Marquam Hill campus.
“The building and landscape work together to create a place of healing. They are elegant in their simplicity,” noted Julie Livingston, Portland Design Commission Chair. “The site plan organizes and makes sense of competing uses in a manner that improves the pedestrian environment and benefits both the new building and also the existing Casey Eye Institute.”

The building received Design Commission approval last fall and is under construction. The design commission lauded NBBJ’s architecture, Mayer/Reed’s site design and OHSU’s commitment to design on their urban campuses. Carol Mayer-Reed accepted the award on behalf of the team at a Portland City Council meeting, May 1.

Spin Some Light with Us at the Portland Winter Light Festival Feb 7-9

Mayer/Reed is excited to announce our first light installation at the Portland Winter Light Festival!

Kinetic De Light is a dynamic 40-foot display of hundreds of skateboard wheels that playfully respond to visitors. A touch of the hand spins light from one wheel to the next, creating streaks of light that fade like comets. Randomness and patterns emerge from the ebb and flow of users’ interactions. Come spin some light with us! Bundle up and find us on the esplanade just south of Tilikum Crossing Bridge by the Portland Opera. #31 on the map.

Mayer/Reed is an active supporter of the festival which is set to brighten our city and our spirits February 7-9, 2019. The free outdoor festival enlivens the dark winter nights with illuminated, interactive art installations, vibrant performances and spectacular fire sculptures.

Eastbank Esplanade Gets Some Love

Starting in the month of hearts and flowers, Portland’s cherished Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade is getting another kind of love: maintenance and repairs.

On February 1, the busy river walk will close for two months for much-needed TLC after 18 years of constant use.

Since it opened in 2001, the Eastbank has remained a popular destination for waterfront strolls, rolls or jogs, affording excellent views of downtown, the Willamette River and its many bridges.

Opening day parade on the Eastbank Esplanade 2001

The 1.5 mile linear park, a long-desired amenity along the central city’s waterfront, was challenged by limited space between the river and freeway. When it was completed, it became an immediate hit, connecting with the west side downtown Tom McCall Waterfront Park to create a well-traveled loop. The city’s latest counts show that the esplanade withstands about 2,400 bicycle trips and 1,200 walking trips per day in summer.

Eastbank Esplanade before repairs — The Eastbank Esplanade is due for major maintenance.

Thanks to the efforts of advocates and a city council that understands its significance to the community, the Eastbank will be spiffed up in time for the springtime masses seeking outdoor activity. And for the hardy souls who depend on the esplanade for year-round bike commuting, the city has your back with a detour onto the west side’s Better Naito.

As designers of the award-winning esplanade, we at Mayer/Reed are heartened by the city’s investment in the Eastbank’s future and thrilled that it will continue to serve and delight for many more years. We think Vera would be pleased!

What’s the Story of Errol Heights Park?

What are your fondest childhood memories of explorations in nature? How did these experiences influence your values? How do we engage today’s families in natural settings, so they pass along the importance of environmental stewardship? How do we best create a balance of park amenities with preservation of the wild?These are salient topics of conversation in the planning of Errol Heights Park in SE Portland. If you haven’t discovered it first-hand, this choice locale is known for its spring-fed ponds, beavers, and steep, wooded terrain. Formerly private home sites, it’s now a 16-acre public space with minimal improvements. It reminds us of the rich, feral landscapes we experienced as kids.At a public open house earlier this month, Portland Parks and Recreation and the design team shared a proposed park plan that takes a light touch. It preserves the habitat of the lower natural wetland and riparian areas, improves the trail system and provides a low-impact, upland area for overlooks, nature play, picnics and community gardens. We had one-on-one conversations with neighbors and families, as well as educators who regularly use the space for environmental education. They shared their insights regarding park amenities, character and themes. Even the youngest attendees got involved, creating imaginative playgrounds with tactile materials. The community’s feedback will be reflected in our refinement of the park design.