Comments | ethandurant: we should have this

ethandurant

we should have this

Mar 19, 2007 12:14

So, I've found a snug little local coffee house with free wireless on Broadway and Alder, just a block away from the MAX, the Metro Area Express light rail train. They share the road with the cars, one lane for each. In places, the MAX has taken over the street, requiring nothing more than the type of streetcar tracks you see embedded in the ( Read more... )

Comments 6

neilworms March 19 2007, 19:29:37 UTC

As I told you earlier, I've always wanted to visit Portland, glad you're enjoying it. Did you get to see these yet: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland_Aerial_Tram

Had one question though, how's the visual look of the city? I mean its great that portland has mass transit, and crowds in the city, but does the city actually have an atmosphere because of its architecture? That's one thing that Cincinnati has that most cities west of the Appalachians don't have, a very old very urban feel.

ethandurant March 19 2007, 19:38:16 UTC

Portland has its old parts, and there is alot of new development around the MAX and streetcar systems in the Pearl district. There are alot of buildings from 1890-1910 that are being converted to mixed use there, but also alot of completely new development. Skidmore fountain has a few cast-iron front treasures and other masonry buildings from 1865-1895. It has a beautiful waterfront park along the Willamette river. I think Cincinnati has more architectural character overall, so I think it has even more potential. Portland's atmosphere comes from its social activity, though the new development isn't ugly by any means, it is new.

Try the neighbourhoods... neilworms June 12 2007, 22:02:21 UTC

Cross the river from downtown (over the Hawthorne Bridge, and keep walking to 12th and Hawthorne. Take the right fork there (by Burgerville and Johnny B's and walk through Ladd's Addition.

That is What I think of when I think of Portland Architecture. You should also look out for any of the community involvement projects like "Share-it square" (9th and Sherritt in Sellwood)... Those are typical Portland.

Downtown is just the usual mix of Commercial and Modern. Nothing unusual, nothing great.

Z.

Re: Try the neighbourhoods... neilworms June 12 2007, 22:04:05 UTC

Oh, and Portland's neighbourhoods are not "suburbs" in the typical sense...

I've heard Portland defined as a series of villages that are strung together... It seems to fit.

Z.

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