Portland Design Commission Honors the hollywoodHUB with Design Excellence Award

This week the Portland Design Commission presented their annual Design Excellence Award to the hollywoodHUB, TriMet’s transit-oriented housing which is under construction as part of a larger redevelopment of the Hollywood Transit Center.

The residential courtyard at the hollywoodHUB

Design Commission Vice Chair, Chandra Robinson commended the Holst Architecture led team for supporting pedestrian and transit uses and for blending “public and private really well, so it feels really open, active and safe.”

The affordable housing complex integrates with a concurrent public paseo project on TriMet’s site, led by David Evans Associates. As a collaborator on both project teams, Mayer/Reed provided the urban design, landscape architecture and experiential graphic design that will unify the site as a cohesive and vibrant community space.

The public paseo adjacent to the hollywoodHUB

Representatives from TriMet, Bridge Housing and Holst accepted the award on behalf of the team at the Design Commission’s Annual State of the City address to Portland City Council on March 13.

“It is very well conceived,” remarked Mayor Ted Wheeler. “Appreciate it. Do more.”

Posted March 13, 2024
Written by: Mayer/Reed
Categories: AWARDS  PROJECTS 

TriMet Breaks Ground in Hollywood

Construction has begun on the transformative Hollywood Transit Center and hollywoodHUB in Northeast Portland. Government officials and design team members marked the occasion with speeches and a groundbreaking ceremony on October 26th.

The two projects will redevelop the existing transit center into a public paseo and affordable housing. As a collaborator on both teams, Mayer/Reed provided the urban design, landscape architecture and experiential graphic design that will unify the site as a cohesive, active and safe community space.

Mayer/Reed designed a colorful paseo and stair/ramp structure – or “stramp” – as part of the transit center project led by David Evans & Associates. The paseo’s vibrant design draws inspiration from the site’s temporary mural created by Sarah Farahat and includes a tribute space for reflection on the tragic events that occurred on a MAX train in May 2017. More than a pedestrian and bicycle pathway, the paseo will also offer inviting spaces to hang out or hold small events.

An adjacent transit-oriented housing development designed simultaneously, will knit in with the transit center and paseo. Led by Holst Architects and developer BRIDGE Housing, it will provide over 200 affordable housing units, retail space and a courtyard on the TriMet-owned property.

Construction contractors are Raimore Construction (transit center) and O’Neill-Walsh Community Builders (housing). Completion of both projects is slated for 2026.

Posted October 31, 2023
Written by: Mayer/Reed
Categories: EVENTS  PROJECTS 

Construction Kicks Off at Mill Park

Residents, school children and City of Portland representatives gathered for the Mill Park development construction kick-off party. The new 6.2-acre park, designed by Mayer/Reed, is being built in Southeast Portland’s Mill Park neighborhood, adjacent to an elementary school of the same name.

The September 28th family-friendly event brought out an enthusiastic crowd of young and old who helped dig groundbreaking shovelfuls alongside Parks Director Adena Long, Commissioner Dan Ryan and representatives from the Division Midway Alliance, Mill Park Elementary School and Mill Park Neighborhood Association.

Mill Park Groundbreaking, Mayer/Reed

Through community engagement and collaboration with PP&R and artist Alex Chiu, we designed the park to emphasize active community space with a central promenade that connects with the school. A playground, splash pad, public art, community garden and chinlone/volleyball court will transform this former open space into a lively neighborhood destination.

Raimore Construction is leading the park construction, with completion expected in the fall of 2024.

A New Waterfall View at Oregon’s Largest State Park 

Famed for its 10 spectacular waterfalls and network of hiking trails within densely wooded canyons, Silver Falls State Park, southeast of Salem, recently opened a new day use area and falls viewpoint. 

As part of the first phase of Oregon Parks & Recreation Department’s (OPRD) major improvements to celebrate the centennial of Oregon’s largest state park, Mayer/Reed designed a new accessible viewpoint and North Canyon Day Use Area, with a trailhead, picnic area and parking. Now visitors can experience a dramatic view of the 136-foot North Falls with just a short, accessible walk (or roll) into the park. 

Universal accessibility is at the forefront of the design for the viewpoint and 0.6-mile OPRD-designed trail. “It’s like threading a needle,” said landscape architect and project manager, Anne Samuel. “With limited space working on a ridgeline, careful consideration goes into protecting natural resources, creating a high-quality aesthetic and ultimately making it welcoming to people with a variety of physical abilities.”

Mayer/Reed worked with OPRD on these visitor improvements based on our earlier master plan for the north end of the park and collaborated with KPFF to fit the day use area into the forested surroundings. The revegetation strategy includes a few trial species which OPRD will monitor for resiliency toward climate change.  

More improvements are in the works for this corner of the state park. Mayer/Reed is working with KPFF on the new North Gateway District just across the highway from the North Canyon Day Use Area. We’re beginning design for a new campground with an estimated 50 campsites to expand your Silver Falls camping options which is set to open in 2025. 

Posted: Sep 06, 2023
Written by: Mayer/Reed
Posted September 06, 2023
Written by: Mayer/Reed
Categories: PROJECTS