PROJECTS Archives - Page 6 of 28

South Park Blocks Master Plan Receives Award from Oregon Recreation & Parks Association

The master plan for Portland’s historic South Park Blocks received an ORPA Planning Award in recognition of outstanding planning practices and processes. We are proud to have been a part of the complex planning process for this beloved downtown green space.

The South Park Blocks Master Plan develops a long-term concept for the park’s physical rehabilitation as well as a tree succession strategy to improve the resilience of the park’s iconic trees. The recommended design respects the park’s historic character while addressing accessibility and equity considerations throughout. On the MIG-led project, Mayer/Reed provided plaza planning and alignment for the Green Loop that weaves additional pedestrian and bicycle capacity along the park.

Portland Parks & Recreation accepted the award at the Oregon Recreation & Parks Association (ORPA) conference on November 8 in Sunriver, Oregon.

City of St. Helens Breaks Ground on Long-Awaited Waterfront Revitalization

City leaders, design team members and the public celebrated the groundbreaking of the first in a series of construction projects to revitalize St. Helens’ waterfront. The November 2nd event marked the start of construction for what’s known as the Streets and Utilities Extension project which will pave the way for future phases of public and private redevelopment of former industrial sites along the Columbia riverfront. Mayer/Reed worked with Otak on this initial phase which extends First and Strand streets. The street extensions feature welcoming, pedestrian-friendly amenities that will interface with a future mixed-use neighborhood and the Mayer/Reed-designed riverwalk which is set for construction in 2023.

Portland’s “Better Naito Forever” Awarded APWA Oregon’s Project of the Year

The American Public Works Association (APWA) Oregon Chapter selected the “Better Naito Forever” project for their 2022 Project of the Year Award in the category of Transportation less than $5 Million. The APWA presented the award on October 20th at their Oregon Chapter Fall Conference in Pendleton.

What started as “Better Naito” – a grassroots, temporary effort to improve Naito Parkway with more space for walking, rolling and riding to Portland’s summer festivals – has grown into a signature multimodal corridor for downtown Portland. Known as “Better Naito Forever,” the project features a permanent cycle track, complete sidewalk, safe and efficient traffic signals and incorporation of the mature Tom McCall Waterfront Park tree canopy. It provides people with an enjoyable active transportation route to move through downtown.

Mayer/Reed worked with David Evans & Associates to design this Portland Bureau of Transportation project. Our firm focused particularly on integration with the adjacent Tom McCall Waterfront Park, tree preservation and redesign of a tiny park with a big reputation, Mill Ends Park.

From the moment it opened, Better Naito has proven popular with cyclists and pedestrians as a way to move safely through downtown. We’re honored that the APWA is also a fan of the project.

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.