(Photos © J. Maus)
Tonight at Memorial Coliseum there’s a joint open house for two major planning projects that could transform the lower Albina and Lloyd districts and the Rose Quarter.
The Portland Development Commission is moving forward on a project to redevelop the Rose Quarter and the City of Portland and Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) are embarking on the Central N/NE Quadrant and I-5 Broadway/Weidler Plan.
The N/NE Quadrant project will be a detailed planning effort that will encompass, “land use, zoning, urban design, open spaces, the Willamette River and multimodal transportation, including planning for I-5 freeway improvements.”
If there was ever a part of Portland ready for an overhaul, the lower Albina district between I-5 and the river is it. It’s a vital traffic hub into and out of downtown and the area is home to new residential and commercial tenants.
Back in January, we reported how the newly renovated and inhabited Leftbank Building (and Annex) might help spur a new effort to tame traffic and improve livability in the area. In March, the City of Portland opened the Madrona Studios affordable housing project. Add in the Eastside Streetcar Loop that will soon travel up and down the couplet and you’ve got an area that is ready to revitalize. But, unless some serious efforts are made to tame motor vehicle traffic, people will continue to stay away from this area.
Thankfully, Mayor Adams and the Trail Blazers have made it clear that transportation improvements will likely to be a part of Rose Quarter development plans.
If you care about active transportation and creating a more livable city; or if you live, work, or travel through the lower Albina/Rose Quarter/Lloyd District, come to this open house tonight and get involved with these plans.
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Joint Open House: Rose Quarter and N/NE Quadrant Projects
Memorial Coliseum, 300 N Winning Way
4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
More information here