A Portland Treasure

This is an interesting article on a plan to reinvent and preserve the Ross Islands. Members want to make it into a wildlife refuge: "one that hybridizes active industry and dynamic wildlife habitat. One that honors its cultural history and is structured by its pre-existing patterns and materials. One that invites people to participate in its processes, and highlights the exchanges that have long defined its character. One that even goes so far as to heal its altered landscape without erasing the trace of what altered it. If designed thoughtfully, with bold gestures and fresh ideas, Ross Island can truly be a contemporary, urban ecological park that weaves truth,
healing, and discovery into a fertile and meaningful place." Here is a look at the plans for the team envisioning Ross Islands future. This team believes its faith and persistance will motivate Portlanders in the right direction to preserve this natural habitat which played a major part in Portland's history.
Article Link:
http://www.urbangreenspaces.org/green_design.htm

Commercial Green

Portland leads the way in sustainability and has recently made another small step to save energy in our commercial sector buildings. "The 2010 Oregon Energy Efficiency Specialty Code for commercial buildings, effective July 1, will achieve a 15 percent reduction in energy use in new commercial construction." 

The three main areas affected are"

-Requiring increased insulation and higher performing windows
-Adding automatic lighting controls
-Requiring more efficient mechanical systems such as higher efficiency furnaces

They will also be adding another section of details that are not mandatory but can be considered for companies desiring to get ahead by reducing their energy costs.
Article Link:
Oregon Adopts Tough New 'Green' Building Codes

Bike trail markings are a bad idea for Oregon

Washington DOT tried to persuade Oregon DOT (ODOT) to put in bike trail markings on the I-5 bridge to direct bike traffic to go a certain route. This would have merely suggested to bikers to travel with the flow of traffic. A study done concluded that most bikers travel in the opposite direction of traffic.The markings they are trying to put in place will create to much liability because they are not approved by state or federal authorities so ODOT denied their request based on these reasons and I am happy they did because I like seeing traffic coming at me in certain places so I can better avoid being hit.

Article Link:
ODOT says no to new markings on I-5 bridge path

Portland is the transportation mecca!

Tri-met has been a historic company in Portland. They take people where they want to go and stretch into the suburbs and through downtown. I found this video explaining how this company strives to keep Portland clean while being active on the roadways. Tri-met has been up keeping this most vital community connection and really set the standard in the US transportation infrastructure. Enjoy!

Video:

Transportation issues lead to major debt

A major issue facing the US now and more seriously in 2025 is the rising demand for transportation and the costly upkeep of roadway infrastructure and expansion. In Oregon alone many places have congested or out of date roadways limiting businesses and people from transporting to those jobs. "Without increased spending on transportation projects, congestion and related problems will cost the local economy $844 million a year by 2025, including lost worker productivity, higher transportation costs and lost business earnings." Where as fixing the problem each year will only cost $433 million in 36 Oregon counties, $325 million alone will be the cost to fix Portland's backlog.
Article Link:
Traffic poses threat to jobs