Portland’s Maturing Streetcar Neighborhood
Pearl District and NW 23rd Neighborhood

Thursday, March 29, 2012 – 1:00pm to 4:00pm


It’s been 10 years since the development of Portland’s renaissance streetcar neighborhood. Once a muddy rail yard with scattered industrial buildings, today the Pearl District is a national model for success. Creative partnerships between multiple city agencies and innovative developers created this 21st-century streetcar neighborhood. The tour shares Portland’s lessons for integrating streetcars into the urban fabric and will explore the significant role of green architecture, parks, pedestrian-only streets, public art and adaptive re-use of existing buildings when creating such neighborhoods.

  1. 1:00 pm START - Hilton Hotel, Downtown Portland
  2. Portland Streetcar to Pearl District (SW 10th & Taylor)
  3. Brewery Blocks near NW 10th & Couch: Architects and developers will share the story of the five-block Brewery Blocks redevelopment. The discussion will include green building components of the buildings, the role of Gerding Theater and the streetcar financing and partnerships that were part of the redevelopment.
  4. Powell’s Books near NW 10th & Couch: Powell’s Books representative will discuss role on the non-profit Portland Streetcar, Inc. board and the Portland Streetcar’s impact on property values and retail. The tour will continue on to Williams & Dame at 1:55pm.
  5. Gerding Theater at the Armory: the competing demands of LEED Platinum Development and Historic Preservation
  6. Jamison Square & Tanner Springs Parks: Landscape architect will discuss commitments to public space, affordable housing, financing and new demographics (such as families with school-aged children) and the many challenges to provide these commitments. The tour will ride Portland Streetcar to west to Northwest 23rd/ the Nob Hill District, and then back to Downtown Portland.
  7. Portland Streetcar stop at SW 11th & Taylor
    After deboarding the streetcar, the tour will walk east to the Hilton Hotel.
  8. END - Hilton Hotel, Downtown Portland

    View a map of the tour.