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August 10, 2005
Bookshelf: The New Transit Town
Link to book at Powell's
Link to book at Multnomah County Library
List Price:
A great overview of Transit Oriented Development principles and practices. Covers issues from planning to finance including case studies based on actual projects.
Explains why many TOD projects to date have failed to meet expectations (some have been oversold). Discusses the natural tension between being a 'place' and being a node in a transportation system.
Today's question: How is Transit Oriented Development doing in our region? Which projects have been successes? Which not?
Posted by Chris Smith at 6:11 AM
Comments
August 22, 2005 5:42 PM
Lance Lindahl Says:
Wow...the summer weather getting to people. I expected a lot of discussion on this topic.
My number one Portland TOD gripe, and there are lots of them, is Orenco Station. Yes, it is better than most of Hillsboro, but than again that isn't saying much.
The main commercial village is blocks away from the light rail station, and instead fronts the very busy Cornell Road. Bus service in the area is poor, and sidewalk connections out of the immediate area are lacking.
The land closest to the station is practically abandoned. Hopefully mixed-used buildings will eventually get built here so that the area can gain the pedestrain friendlieness that it now lacks.
August 22, 2005 6:18 PM
Chris Smith Says:
I've often wondered about this distance from the station to the main street. Anyone know the history of this project and the reasons that may have motivated this?
August 30, 2005 10:13 PM
Ray Whitford Says:
I would say right now the most successful TOD right now is Gresham Station. This is mainly because of the number of years to build it out. Orenco Station will see those empty fields finally get developed within the next few years.
Gresham Station is growing enough that a second MAX stop will be finished. There is money now for a two mile long path that parallels MAX from Old Town west to the Rockwood area. Maybe someday the KMart corner will be redeveloped into higher density housing and retail.
For the westside, I will suggest the Beavercreek area once the Nike property is developed.
Ray
