Interstate Corridor
4500 N. Albina Triangle Redesign Complete

The redesign of the “Triangle” at 4500 N. Albina (and Prescott) is now complete. The site lies in the Humboldt neighborhood at the very northern end of the Mississippi business district.

The redesign is the outgrowth of a long-term collaborative community process which worked to envision ways to make the site safer and more attractive.

The new design consists of a central plaza with a curved seatwall and game table surrounded by trees, native plants, rockwork and a stormwater filtration garden. The seatwall has been decorated with art tiles designed by the community under the direction of local artist Lynn Takata.

Lynn organized a series of workshops with participants ranging in age from 10 to 90. Participants created clay art work on themes of plants and water which were then cast by Lynn into the concrete-relief tiles. Lynn’s workshops were held at PCC, Albina Press, the Multi-Cultural Senior Center, Marie Smith Center, Boys and Girls Club, the Native American Youth Association and the Community Transitional School.

Before
After

The triangle project—although small—has been a combined effort involving a multitude of partners. PDC,which owns a portion of the site, managed design, construction and funding. The Portland Office of Transportation -- which owns the remainder of the Triangle -- installed a traffic median along Albina to provide safe access to the site; the Bureau of Environmental Services provided funding for the stormwater filtration garden; community non-profit The City Repair Project oversaw the community outreach and initial site design; the Polk Family Fund gave a grant to fund the community tile-design workshops; and the Humboldt Neighborhood Association and numerous local citizens provided valuable input into the project.

The redesigned site was dedicated on August 7, 2007 (photos below).

Dedication Speakers (left to right): Carol Herzberg (PDC), Commissioner Sam Adams, PDC Board Commissioner Berta Ferran, Humboldt neighbors and project supporters Susan Law-Godat and Margaret Wright.

Margaret Wright (center) and neighbors enjoy new seating wall.

Tiles were designed by the community in a series of nine art workshops.

Project Library

• Additional Dedication Photos
• Aerial Photo
• Preliminary Designs for 4500 Albina
• Design ideas produced by community at design charettes

PDC Project Staff

• Carol Herzberg, Project Manager
  503-823-3276; e-mail
• Dave Obern, Construction Services Manager
  503-823-6206 cell

for PDC's News & Information E-Mail Lists
Archive of sent E-Mails
Unsubscribe from our E-Mail Lists