The North Macadam Urban Renewal Area (URA) encompasses the last major undeveloped area within Portland’s central city. Situated along the Willamette River’s west bank, the area extends north toward downtown. For years, this industrial site was underutilized due to limited transportation access, lack of market demand and the existence of brownfields.

In 1999, City officials established the URA, which recognized the area’s potential as an employment center, vibrant residential neighborhood and extension of downtown. Renewed interest in urban living and shopping indicate that North Macadam is well positioned to take part in the trend for high-density, mixed-use and environmentally-friendly development in Portland. The next phases of redevelopment will be focused on sustainable business practices, stormwater management and the restoration of fish and wildlife habitat along the river.

The Portland Development Commission hired Otak to provide a Grading/Utility Master Plan of the URA’s North District, an area from Gibbs Street to the Marquam Bridge, and the Willamette River to SW Moody Avenue. The Plan, completed in December 2010, provides concept level civil/infrastructure design—with preliminary conceptual street layouts, spot grading and horizontal utility network layouts—to prospective developers, owners and jurisdictional staff.

This roughly 50-acre area is partially within the 100-year FEMA flood zone and requires careful consideration of a new transit bridge that will carry new TriMet MAX and Streetcar routes into downtown Portland from the river’s east side. Additional coordination efforts also included brownfield soils, future street grades, utility infrastructure services, expected development phasing and groundwater impacts.