Rose Quarter District Plan DRAFT
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Rose Quarter District Plan DRAFT June 12, 2012 Prepared and funded by: Portland Development Commission Prepared by: Michael McCulloch Michael McCulloch Architecture, LLC. 13000 NW Old Germantown Rd Portland, OR 97231 T 503.380.5815 F 503.286.4810 With: Mayer/Reed Landscape Architecture 319 Southwest Washington Street Suite 820 Portland, Oregon 97204 T 503.223.5953 F 503.223.8076 Rose Quarter Location In The Central City Michael McCulloch Architecture, LLC Mayer / Reed Portland Development Commission Rose Quarter District Plan June 12, 2012 2 Table of Contents Project Participants 1 Introduction Kevin Brake, Project Manager for the Rose Quarter District Plan for PDC Irene Bowers, Project Manager for Lloyd District Improvements for PDC 2 Executive Summary Lew Bowers, PDC Peter Englander, PDC 3 Rose Quarter District Plan Keith Witkowski, PDC Kia Selley, PDC 4 Development Blocks in the Vicinity Connie Kroker, PDC Scott Andrews, Chair, PDC 5 Urban Design Opportunities Doug Piper, President, Portland Winterhawks Chris Oxley, Project Manager, Portland Trailblazers 6 Plazas, Greenway Connections and Open Space Karen Whitman, Strategic Advisor, Portland Trailblazers J. Isaacs, Facilities Director, Portland Trailblazers 7 Transportation and Infrastructure Karl Lisle, Planner, Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability Mark Raggett, Urban Designer, Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability 8 Rose Quarter District Plan Images Tinker Hatfield, Advisor, Nike Corporation Michael McCulloch, Architect and Urban Design Lead 9 Summary and Recommendations Carol Mayer-Reed, Landscape Architect, Mayer/Reed Stakeholders Advisory Committee Appendix Planning Processes Mayor Sam Adams, Chair Wade Lange Dustin Posner Development Sketches Carolyn Briggs Clint Lundmark Joseph Readdy Samuel Brooks Will Macht Jules Renaud Faye Burch Drew Mahalic Alicia J. Rose Rosemary Colliver Sandra McDonough Virginia Sewell Daniel Deutsch Rick Michaelson Tony Stacy Paul Falsetto Jeff Miller Walter Valenta Dean Gisvold Marcus Mundy Cameron Vaughan-Tyler Regina Hauser Brian Owendoff Rick Williams Philip Kalberer Jim Peterson Lillian Karabaic Greg Phillips Michael McCulloch Architecture, LLC Mayer / Reed Portland Development Commission Rose Quarter District Plan June 12, 2012 3 Introduction Given its reputation as a sports-focused district, Bordered by Interstate-5 and the Willamette River, Mayor Sam Adams chaired the Stakeholders and adjoined by the Oregon Convention Center The Portland Development Commission (PDC) Advisory Committee and led it to a larger vision and the Lloyd Center shopping mall, the Rose initiated a process in 2010 to prepare a District Plan of what a “District of Sport” might be. This Quarter is generously served by nearly all forms or for the Rose Quarter located in northeast Portland, vision is an authentic expression of the region’s transportation, namely highway, heavy and light Oregon. active athletic lifestyle, including all levels of rail, streetcar, bus, bicycle, and pedestrian. This sport from amateur to professional. The district confluence of planning and design will result in Mayor Sam Adams initiated a planning process in is an opportunity to combine existing sports an opportunity for the Rose Quarter to be largely 2009 by engaging the Rose Quarter Stakeholders and entertainment facilities with a mixed- developed and transformed within the next Advisory Committee, a group that looked at use community which could include indoor decade. the future of the Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum and outdoor venues for training and exercise, (VMC) and the Rose Quarter. Public input on the innovative retail space for marketing sports The Rose Quarter District Plan lays out a long VMC project has resulted in strong support for products, and housing. Housing in adjacent areas term vision to accommodate incremental change the renovation and retention of the building as a is key to activate the area at times other than the with a minimum of back-tracking or redundancy. community gathering space and a tribute to our current episodic activities. The overall vision paints The following report outlines the challenges veterans. The committee provided input into this a picture of a stimulating new urban environment and opportunities facing the district in both the plan and supports integration of this work into the in the central city that showcases and integrates near and long terms. It is both propositional and Central City 2035 planning process. living, working, entertainment and recreation, all optimistic, while making every effort to be realistic. emblematic of Portland’s livability. This “District of It anticipates a collaboration of public and private The district has had a history of debates about Sport” is active, creative and integrates lifestyle interests and demonstrates some of the potential proposed uses and identity; and it was recognized and work, and it is inclusive of all ages, abilities that could result from such partnerships. The VMC that the Rose Quarter and its centerpieces, the and incomes. renovation project is a public/private partnership VMC and the Rose Garden Arena are in need of a that will renovate a regional community asset and long term plan for re-invigoration. There is a strong The Rose Quarter currently is undergoing analysis, assure the long term viability of the structure. need and many opportunities to create a strategy planning and infrastructure design by nearly every for attracting both public and private development. public agency that affects the district. The City’s This is a powerful moment for a district that has The overall goals of this plan are to describe a Central City 2035 Plan is currently in progress and received so much scrutiny and faced so many vision for the whole district and identify a strategy has focused on this NE Quadrant of the Central challenges. The goal of this plan is to honor the that is achievable in phases. The plan must address City as the first area to receive detailed attention. past investments, celebrate the strong armature the needs of the on-going businesses, stakeholders In addition, the city is examining ways to support of existing facilities and spaces, and to visualize a and landowners while attracting complimentary the development of a new Lloyd EcoDistrict that future of exciting growth as a “District of Sport.” new activities and facilities that it serves the needs includes the Rose Quarter. Efforts are currently of the community. underway to implement a district energy system to serve the VMC and Rose Garden Arena. Michael McCulloch Architecture, LLC Mayer / Reed Portland Development Commission Rose Quarter District Plan June 12, 2012 4 Executive Summary Presently there are no reasons to go there other venues for a variety of civic activities, concerts, than to attend scheduled events. and sport events. With strong private franchises Portland’s Rose Quarter presently feels like an occupying both places and coordinated under one island within the city. Located on the Willamette Given these conditions, bringing life and energy management entity, they offer wide appeal to River between two bridges, it is an important to the district has many challenges. How to attract the market. The central control of Portland Arena transportation hub and home to two of the city’s more activity is linked to the nature of those Management (PAM) coordinates scheduling and largest entertainment venues, the Rose Garden activities. It raises questions such as the following: programming and minimizes conflict between Arena and the Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum (VMC). operations that allows complimentary function It is close to the city’s core, yet the area often feels • What should this area become besides a and programming. The plaza and the exhibit uninhabited except for the episodic activity created collection of large entertainment arenas? hall below the plaza between these two venues by these large facilities. Only then is the Rose What are its other dimensions and have the capability to accommodate a variety of Quarter filled with throngs of activity. The nearby potentials? activities throughout the year. This “District of Oregon Convention Center poses similar patterns • How do we take strategic steps to create Sport” has great potential to be acknowledged of use. Intermediate and small size commercial the vibrant district that city leaders and and strengthened as a community activity center. It venues have difficulty surviving in the district due residents visualize for the Rose Quarter’s needs an identity consistent with Portland’s regional to the “boom or bust” level of traffic that is directly future? culture. influenced by the schedule of game days or special • How do we capitalize on the investments events. This island in the city needs more off-hour that have already been made in the roads, The revitalization of the VMC is currently underway. activity and a 24-hour life. utilities, transit, and facilities to get a district Recently listed on the National Historic Landmarks that will succeed at all levels? Register and an icon of mid-century modern The Rose Quarter is located at an exceptional • How do we encourage private investment architecture, this renovation is seen as the turning transportation nexus with direct connections to to amplify the effects of public dollars point for the entire district. It represents the city’s the I-5 and I-84 freeways, street car on the north invested? commitment to the VMC, which will continue and light rail transit and major bus lines running • How can we create a new identity and to play a strong role in the Rose Quarter as a through the district. Situated on a bluff above the ensure that it will be successful? community gathering space. Bringing this venue Willamette River, the Rose Quarter remains cut off • How can greater local transportation into the 21st century and addressing deferred from the river’s edge by busy north-south freight connectivity further benefit the district? maintenance, this project is aimed at illuminating rail lines. The Rose Quarter can be a challenge to the VMC as a prominent beacon on the east approach in a car, on a bicycle, or on foot.