GreenWorks Celebrates Halloween!

GreenWorks principal, Mike Faha, hosted a Halloween party at his home for the office and their families. Enjoying the perfect autumn afternoon and each other’s company, we all had a blast carving pumpkins, snacking on hors d’oeuvres, and playing ping pong. From a unicorn to a scary jack-o-lantern, everyone harnessed their imagination and transformed their pumpkins into works of art. We hope everyone had a fun and safe holiday tonight with clear skies and lots of candy!

A note from the Marketing Manager

Veronica and I attended the Daily Journal of Commerce’s annual Women of Vision event this week. This year’s panel discussion and awards ceremony drew 500 attendees to honor 37 amazing women in architecture, engineering, construction, and related professions. The panel discussion was deeply inspirational and included Grace Crunican (General Manager, Bay Area Rapid Transit) as moderator with Diana C. Mendes, AICP (Senior VP, HNTB); Dr. Beverly Scott (CEO, Beverly Scott Associates); and LaVerne Frances Reid (Former FAA New England Region Airports Division Manager). Ms. Mendes reminded the audience that “Not taking a risk is a risk in itself.” We are sometimes preconditioned to fear rather than embrace risk. Learning to embrace risk as an opportunity rather than a danger is a huge challenge. Another powerful message to take from the day is to “lift as we rise.” The importance of mentorship in our industry cannot be overstated. As we recognize those who mentor us, it is equally as important to turn around and acknowledge those next in line. In the building industry we focus so much upon sustainable and resilient built environments. Infusing our operations and professional relationships with the same regenerative spirit will go a long way in strengthening the profession for the future.

Women of Vision supplements will be appearing in Friday’s DJC. More information can be found at this link: http://djcoregon.com/women-of-vision/

Gateway Green

You may recall our post about Gateway Green in September. Now, we are happy to report that construction has started at Gateway Green! Tracks in the ground show that work is underway in this truly epic project. Our friends at PBS Engineering and Environmental shared this link with us. Check out the progress here: http://www.bermstyle.com/gateway-green-build-journal-week-one/

GreenWorks Cleans Up!

As we approach the 30^th anniversary of our practice (20 years as GreenWorks), we decided to have an office-wide flat file clean-out. We turned up the music, enjoyed some pizza, and found out just how much paper can fit inside a recycle bin.

Cardinals and Broncos at GreenWorks!

Students from programs at Ball State University (The Cardinals) and Cal Poly Pomona (The Broncos) visited our office this week. We always love talking to students, introducing them to our office, and giving them a glimpse into what they can expect when they begin their professional lives. It is also edifying for our staff to hear about what the next generation is learning in the classroom that will impact the future of the industry. From what we can see, the future is in great hands. Recent student visitors tell us about their studies in “cradle to cradle” or regenerative design, a holistic approach to design to attain efficient and waste-free environments. Our designers enjoy sharing our green infrastructure projects like the Portland Expo Center Stormwater Green Wall and Clay Street Green Street to illustrate sustainable design in Portland.

October Rain

With major storms threatening our region, stormwater management is a topic on everyone’s mind. Rain gardens, bioswales, and other stormwater facilities become highly active players in the infrastructure of a city during a major weather event like the one we are experiencing in the Pacific Northwest. The City of Albany is highly committed to managing their stormwater and has been working with GreenWorks to improve their stormwater management since 2009.

GreenWorks was hired by the City of Albany to assist them in developing stormwater quality development standards. The first phase was a thorough review of the city’s municipal and development codes and engineering standards. GreenWorks recommended updates to address water quality and stream protection goals and regulations. The team facilitated workshops and a field facility tour for city staff to determine the types of stormwater quality facilities and related design standards to adopt. We developed facility sizing requirements and prepared engineering standards, specifications and standard drawings. Key goals included the development of stormwater quality standards with a focus on vegetated facilities that can integrate into existing site landscaping and City ROW, that are straight-forward to design and review for compliance, and offer flexibility to the development community. GreenWorks used highly illustrative standards to show how various options of vegetated facilities could be sized and located. The resulting Stormwater Quality Program and Standards (including codes, standards, specifications, and drawings) was adapted by the Albany City Council in 2014.

Stormwater facilities were designed and completed in 2015. Robust in size, these facilities were built to manage a major stormwater event. GreenWorks continues to provide implementation assistance to city staff on an on-call basis to review drawings and answer questions, and in some instances provide stormwater facility design support.

GreenWorks Projects Showcased in Design Exhibit

Design Museum Portland is currently hosting Extraordinary Playscapes, a nationally touring exhibition focused on playground design. Two GreenWorks projects are among the five local Portland (and 40 international) playgrounds featured. Westmoreland Park Nature-Based Play Area and Khunamokwst Park, both designed for Portland Parks & Recreation, are showcased for their innovative ways of redefining playground design and inspiring imaginative play. The exhibit opened last night at Pacific Northwest College of ART (PNCA) and will run through December 17^th before continuing on its national tour. Several events are scheduled throughout the Fall, including a screening of The Land: Adventure Playground (October 20^th), a kids workshop on November 6^th, and a panel discussion entitled “How Portland Does Play” on November 17^th. (All events are at PNCA, 511 NW Broadway, admission is free). For more information, visit: www.designmuseumportland.org

Canemah Bluff Trails and Overlook

As the beautiful autumn weather draws you outdoors, head south for an autumnal amble through Canemah Bluff Nature Park. Canemah Bluff is a 300-acre natural area owned and maintained by Metro within Oregon City. More active park amenities include the playground, basketball court, and picnic tables at Canemah Neighborhood Children’s Park. Continue along the mile-long unpaved trails into the natural area for a chance to glimpse sparrows, red-breasted sapsuckers, white-breasted nuthatches, orange-crowned warblers, hawks and eagles.

GreenWorks recently completed the Canemah Bluff Trails and Overlook project, working closely with Metro to develop public access to the sensitive oak savannah and woodland. The project included improving hiking trails, a new boardwalk, new foot-bridge, and a scenic overlook.

A highly active and passionate neighborhood group provided the project team with valuable input. The project design reflects Metro’s and the neighborhood’s goals for minimal impact, yet provides a safe place for users to enjoy the natural area.

For more information, visit:

http://www.oregonmetro.gov/parks/canemah-bluff-nature-park

Planning and Design Currently Underway for Gateway Green Open Space

Gateway Green is a 35-acre parcel of mostly vacant land and located at the intersection of two interstate highways in Portland, Oregon and adjacent to the Gateway Urban Renewal area. The land is owned by the City of Portland Bureau of Parks and Recreation. Planning and design is currently underway for Phase One development of the property. The project began as an effort of local land owners and open space advocates in an effort to catalyze economic growth in outer east Portland. On a pro-bono basis, designers collaborated with local stakeholders to create a program and vision for Gateway Green. Through conversations and input from technical experts and the community a vision for the site was developed that identified the following project goals:

• Improving environmental conditions, especially water and air quality, and wildlife habitat.
• Providing a regional recreational destination, especially for bicycle and pedestrian opportunities.
• Providing open space and a possible branding opportunity for adjacent Gateway Regional Center and surrounding neighborhoods.
• Highlighting Portland’s evolving sustainable marketplace and expressing our region’s use of sustainable design solutions.

As part of the six-month project the design team conducted a one-day community charrette to develop the design of the initial concept plan. After development of the preliminary vision the team conducted technical review meetings to ensure the technical viability of concept options, approaches, details, and strategies. A final presentation of the revised vision plan was then presented to the community. The Gateway Green vision plan demonstrates a commitment to sustainability, puts the property to better use for the good of the community, and sets an example for reclamation and reuse of surplus or underused properties around the country.

Mike Faha Wins National Award for Sustainability

Mike Faha has been awarded the American Public Works Association (APWA) 2016 Sustainability Practices Award for an Individual. The award recognizes individuals that have made outstanding contributions to promote sustainability in public works. Mike will accept the award at the APWA National conference in Minneapolis. This isn’t the first time Mike has been celebrated for his contributions as an individual to sustainable infrastructure. In 2015, he received the APWA Oregon Chapter’s Sustainability Practices Award for an individual. With over 30 years of projects and a career dedicated to creating livable, sustainable communities that balance economic, ecological, and social needs, these awards are particularly meaningful to Mike.

Pictured here, Bob Patterson, Public Works Director from the City of Pendleton with Mike Faha at the APWA Awards in Minneapolis August 29, 2016. Bob was named one of the top ten public works directors in the U.S.