South Park Blocks
Montgomery Blocks/Block 153
Oregon Sustainability Center Feasibility Study

Block 153 properties owned by PDC are the Jasmine Tree property and the Portland State University (PSU) carpool lot. The Jasmine Tree property is located at the northwest corner of SW Harrison and 4th Avenue. The PSU carpool parking lot is located on the northern half of the block. (See an aerial photo of the block with site marked; PDF file.) PDC is currently undertaking a Feasibility Study to site the Oregon Sustainability Center (Center) at this property. The Feasibility Study is scheduled for completion in June 2009. This effort is a partnership with:

• Oregon State Board of Higher Education and the Oregon University System
• Portland Community College
• Portland + Oregon Sustainability Institute
• City of Portland, Bureau of Planning & Sustainability
• Portland Development Commission
• Oregon Living Building Initiative, a consortium of nonprofits working in sustainability
• A design team of 20+ Oregon-based businesses led by Gerding Edlen Development, Inc.

The Center is the collaborative vision of a unique public/private partnership between city and state government, higher education, nonprofit organizations and the business community. At the core of this project is a 200,000+ square foot urban, mixed-use high rise positioned to become the regional hub for Portland and Oregon’s sustainability activities.

The Center will also be the world’s first “Living Building” of its scale. Adhering to the prerequisites of the Cascadia Region Green Building Council’s Living Building Challenge, the Center will produce 100% of its energy on site through self-sustaining energy generation and distribution systems; its design also includes integrated water reuse (for black, grey and storm water management), net-zero energy consumption and no carbon footprint.

In January 2009, PDC issued a competitive solicitation to select a design and development team to lead the Feasibility Study. Following short-listing of four teams and a public presentation of each of these proposals, the team of Gerding Edlen Development, SERA Architects, GBD Architects and other predominantly Oregon-based firms was selected to conduct the Feasibility Analysis.  In early April, PDC launched the Feasibility Study with a week-long “Eco-Charrette” led by the project partners together with the design team. The charrette identified such things as tenants needs; brainstorming innovative green building technologies and renewable energy systems; and researching ways to reduce the environmental impact of the building.  The public open house which concluded the week-long event was attended by over 180 people. 

Additional information on this project is available online at www.oregonsustainabilitycenter.wordpress.com/ where we also welcome ongoing public comment and input.

PDC acquired the two parcels at SW Montgomery Street and SW 5th Avenue between 2002 and 2004 pursuant to the Montgomery Blocks Redevelopment Strategy.

In 2006, Gerding/Edlen Development Company was selected, as a result of a competitive real estate based solicitation, to redevelop the site as a mixed-use project focused on workforce housing.

Subsequently, GED and PDC entered into a Memorandum of Understanding set to expire July 31, 2009.

In the event that the Sustainability Center Team determines that the result of the Feasibility Study warrants moving forward with Phase 2, the MOU with GED will be terminated and a new agreement will be negotiated.

Photos: Portland State University (PSU) carpool parking lot on the northern half of the block.

This project is guided by several planning and policy documents. The following plans and related goals establish the context of the project and its relationship to adopted public policy.

• South Park Blocks Urban Renewal Plan (1985)
• Encourage opportunities for housing and jobs, giving a high priority to increasing the number of residential accommodations in the downtown area.
• Support activities to provide residents new employment opportunities, encouraging downtown living in close proximity to places of work.
• University District Plan (1995)
• Create a vibrant mixed-use district blending the university with the City.
• Montgomery Blocks Development Strategy (2003, updated 2005)
• Create a multi-block catalyst project.
• Provide open market housing.
• Accommodate light rail and streetcar within new development design.
• Ensure excellent urban design.
• Increase tax-generating uses.
• Assist adjacent property owners realize their properties’ development potential.

• A Public Participation Plan has been prepared to guide opportunities and methods for informing and seeking input from residents, stakeholders and community members during the completion of the Oregon Sustainability Center Feasibility Study.
• Living Building Eco-Charrette
  Report: April 6–10, 2009

Questions or Concerns? Contact the Project Team at PDC:

• Joleen Jensen-Classen , PDC, Public Participation Coordinator, e-mail, 503-823-3352
• Lisa Abuaf, PDC, e-mail, 503-823-7380