10th and Yamhill Parking Garage Studies

In December 2004, BOORA Architects completed a study detailing conceptual design improvements for the 10th and Yamhill parking garage in downtown Portland. The study outlines the feasibility of proposed capital improvements to remodel the garage and "retenant" the ground floor retail spaces.

In July 2005, PDC convened a Stakeholder Advisory Committee to help develop and select a preferred redesign alternative for garage improvements. As a result of public outreach to stakeholders and partner agencies, the following design elements were identified:

• "Fill in" the arcade on Morrison Street with expanded retail space, making the retail storefronts more visible
• Relocate the MAX stations (at an estimated cost of $1 million).
• Provide new stairs and elevators.

Following work with the Stakeholder Advisory Committee, staff took a preliminary design with these elements to the Design Commission for a preliminary Design Advice Request on August 4, 2005. Comments from the Commissioners focused on:

• Maintaining MAX stations in place to retain connectivity of their current proximity to streetcar.
• Enhancing rather than "filling in" the arcades and improving streetscapes.
• Focusing remodel efforts on lower, retail level of the garage.
• Relocating vertical circulation components to allow for more corner visibility and retail entries.

With this feedback, in November 2005, BOORA Architects completed a revised preferred design for remodeling and retenanting the garage including the Design Commission’s recommended elements.