Team Selected for New Clackamas County Courthouse

We are proud to announce Mayer/Reed is on the team selected for the Clackamas County Courthouse replacement project following a year-long competitive procurement process. With Fengate PCL Progress Partners (FP3), we will be designing signage and wayfinding for the brand new facility in Oregon City. The current courthouse is in urgent need of replacement to meet the needs of the county (it was built in 1936 for a population of 50,000 and now serves a community of 420,000). We’re excited to be part of the team!

Long-awaited Improvements Commence for Errol Heights Park

Exciting changes are underway at Errol Heights Park in Southeast Portland, where neighbors are seeing beginnings of the design they’ve helped shape. Construction crews are preparing the site for improvements that will occur over the next year. Mayer/Reed worked with Portland Parks & Recreation and the neighborhood on a design for the 16-acre park that will provide trails for barrier-free access, inclusive play opportunities, community gardens and picnic areas on the upper plateau. The park’s lower natural areas and pond—locally known for wildlife habitat­—will be protected and a new outdoor classroom will welcome school groups.

This Saturday, the community is invited to a meet and greet event at the park to learn more about the work ahead. The improved Errol Heights Park is planned for completion in 2023.

Posted June 09, 2022
Written by: Mayer/Reed
Categories: EVENTS  PROJECTS 

Walk, Bike and Scoot Even “Better” Along Naito Parkway

Just in time for summer, “Better Naito Forever” officially opened on May 6 with a ribbon cutting and inaugural bike ride. This protected space for people walking and biking along SW Naito Parkway and Tom McCall Waterfront Park is now a permanent part of downtown Portland’s multi-modal infrastructure.

Linked with a similar project south of the Hawthorne Bridge which provides off street bike and pedestrian paths, the city has gained dedicated space for walking and rolling along 22 continuous blocks.

Mayer/Reed landscape architects and urban designers collaborated with David Evans & Associates (DEA) engineers on both segments, working with Portland Bureau of Transportation and Portland Parks & Recreation to establish human-scaled spaces that blend streetscape with park. “It was crucial to maintain a parklike edge, protect trees and create clear and welcoming park entrances,” notes Mayer/Reed project manager, Shannon Simms.

What began in 2015 as a temporary, volunteer-led pilot project to accommodate the influx of visitors to Waterfront Park during the summer festival season, “Better Naito” had grown to see wide support, eventually being designed, engineered and constructed. Now, in addition to providing space for daily recreation and bicycle commuting, the two-way cycle track and separate pedestrian sidewalk will offer inviting access for festival goers when outdoor events once again enliven our waterfront.

Celebrating Libraries

We celebrate National Library Week with a look back at Mayer/Reed projects that have become vital resources in their communities—providing access to programs, safe gathering and learning spaces and sense of connection from early learners to seniors. Wayfinding, placemaking and collections signage helps create a welcoming, accessible and inclusive library.  

Numerous local libraries are currently expanding their services with new and improved facilities. Mayer/Reed is designing visual communications for over 25 libraries including the Multnomah County Library system, Deschutes Public Library system, Washington State Library and Archives and the Gladstone and Concord Libraries in Clackamas County, OR. It is impressive to see an investment of this scale in our communities! 

Top: Vancouver Community Library
Middle: Odegaard Undergraduate Library, University of Washington
Bottom: Oregon City Library