Astoria Waterfront Vision Plan Takes National Honors

As part of a comprehensive waterfront visioning project for the City of Astoria, Oregon, GreenWorks assisted in the planning efforts for the riverfront in Astoria concentrating on accessibility, circulation, open space, parks, trails, and sustainable solutions.  We assisted in the planning for open space and pedestrian connections that reinforce the values of community members as well as preserve the special character of this historic city.  We also assisted the community in identifying what is unique and well-loved about their community and provided them with imagery, plans and strategies to guide future community development.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration honored this project with its Walter B. Jones Memorial and NOAA Excellence Awards. The Astoria Riverfront Vision Plan took national honors for educating the community about the value of cultural and natural resources.

The Oregonian highlights this National Award and how the development process surrounding the Astoria Riverfront Vision Plan:

http://www.oregonlive.com/living/index.ssf/2010/07/astoriaandbandonwinhonors.html

A full list of the 2010 Award Winners can be found at:

http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/programs/ocrm/jonesnoaa/supp_2010winners.html

First & Main Building Grand Opening

Earlier this month developer Shorenstein Properties unveiled Portland's newest downtown office building, First & Main.  GreenWorks took part in this $100 million, 15-story office tower in the downtown Portland core with views of the waterfront as well as downtown open spaces.  Slated for LEED-Gold, this tower offers unique amenities, including a large- bike hub, as well a 13,000 s.f. of extensive ecoroof and a 15,000 square foot rooftop terrace.  Both of these amenities work to achieve the stormwater management strategies, as well as provide habitat, reduce heat island effect, and provide a pleasant place to relax for office workers.  Included in the terrace is a large open plaza zone, looping pathway for exercise, and large planters with a range of lush vegetation.  Acting as an oasis in the city, these spaces add to the sustainability and marketability of this high-profile project which includes highly-efficient irrigation, quality materials, and innovative design.

Rockwood Station Design Improvements Underway

GreenWorks worked with David Evans & Associates and Waterleaf Architects in providing conceptual planning and design for the redevelopment of TriMet's Light Rail station at East 188th Street in the Rockwood neighborhood of Gresham, Oregon.  A neighborhood in transition, Rockwood is part of Gresham's first Urban Renewal Area.  Station redesign focused on attracting redevelopment in the area through improvements to the 188th and East Burnside intersection, expanded access and capacity of the stations, pedestrian-oriented facilities, user safety, visibility and CPTED (Crime Prevention through Environmental Design) design.  The station design exceeded the local stormwater requirements and incorporated infiltration planters adjacent to the platforms as a terminus for the platforms.  The approved design incorporated significant redevelopment of the transit platforms, shelters, trackways, signage, landscape plantings and other features.  Final presentation drawings and perspective sketches were prepared and presented to the Urban Renewal Commission.

A recent Daily Journal of Commerce article highlights this project and its design components, construction for the station begins this month.  The full article is posted on the DJC website and can be seen by clicking the link below:

MAX improvements could help improve Rockwood’s image