PSU Magazine Spring 1994

I~ ' 1 think a concept emphasizing big– money chain store would work best here. What's needed are the funky little spaces that have low rent, but there' not a lot of available storefront to tart with." But Yudkin and develorer Rifer agree that a well-thought-our plan is the best way to improve things. P U ees its neighborline ·s extend– ing to Portland' cu ltural community. The South Park Blocks already link the Univer ity to downtown's cu ltural di trier, which includes the Portland Art Museum, Center for Performing Arts, and Oregon Hi torical Society. Planners ee the University strengthen ing it effort to share exhibit and performance space with existing cu ltural institutions. Down the road, the University would like to construct a new chool of Fine and P rforming Arts along the Park Block , and possibly a new building to hou e an arts and performance center for ch ildren. The cultural link would be strengthened by plan to develop PSU's West Quad (immediately wet of Millar Library) into an outdoor performance spa e, surrounded by a botanical garden. The West Quad, along with the Parks Blocks and Univer ity Plaza, would give PSU three major public gathering spots, further breaking down wall between campus and city. As the University District rak s shape, and issues of zoning, tran porra– tion, and housing are collect ively decided, a viral neighborhood hou ld be reborn Portland's outh downtown. The public can judge the whole range of po sibilirie rhi spring on the PSU campus. A Univer iry District Concept di play featuring map , sketches, and more derailed informa– tion will be ava ilable for public viewing from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. through May 31 in the Brow ing Lounge, second floor Smith Center. For more in formation, ca ll the PSU Facilitie Office at 725-3738. D (Brian White covers the professional schools and cooperative ventures for the PSU Office of Public Relations.) What is the University District Concept? It's a working document developed through community consensus that outlines campus growth and general goals for improving housing, transportation, retail services and cultural amenities in the Portland State University area of south downtown. What are the specific boundaries of this district? The 52-square-block area is bordered by Southwest Market Street on the north, Interstate 405 on the west and ~outh, and Southwest Fourth Avenue on the east. What costs are involved? PSU is seeking $2 million in federal monies for a detailed study and the design of a University Plaza transit center and Urban Center Building.Total cost of the plaza and building are estimated at $25 million. P U intends to raise the remainder of the money by seeking private donations in addition w ·rate and federal funds. The University and the city of Portland also will pay for transportation studies that will clarify future transit needs at PSU. The goal is to increase mass transit service to the campus, reduce demand for parking space, reduce traffic congestion, and help downtown Portland meet federal clean air standards. What will the campus look like? The University Di trier wi ll serve as a kind of master plan for Portland State subject to amendment on a regular basis as the rea lities of budgets, marketability, and academic needs change. If conditions all fall into place, the University would like to construct new buildings for the chools of Engineering, Fine and Performing Arts, and Extended tudies' Math Leaming Center. A new Urban Center Building would hou~e the School of Urhan and Public Affairs, Graduate School of Social Work, PSU and University of Oregon's Joint Architecture Program, and PSU and Oregon Health Sciences University's Joint Public Health Degree Program. The University would also like several new huildings to accommodate growing program, re earch and classroom needs. Additional space is needed for the Millar Library and the Helen Gordon Child Development Center. And an outdoor performance ·pace is proposed for the West Quad. Some student housing needs could be addressed by the purchase of the former State Office Building on Southwe~t Fifth and Clay and the construction of two additional buildings near the district's west border. Special emphasis will be given to tying the South Park Blocks into the city's existing greenway system, and making increased use of native vegetation on campus through pocket parks, a botanical garden and rooftop gardens on nearby buildings. What happens next? City and University officials will gather public comments on the concept document this summer. City planners will incorporate the comments and will work out final planning and zoning details. The Portland Planning Bureau intends to submit a working plan to the Portland Planning Commission sometime this fall. If approved, the plan then goes to the Portland City Council for final approval. D SPRING 1994 I 5