Mixed-Use/ABC/South Waterfront

The Associated Builders and Contractors is forming an alliance with an electrical contractors trade group, which also focuses on Merit shop ideals.

Boise Cascade Property Sold For Mixed-Use Development

Salem - As part of the continuing redevelopment of downtown Salem, Mayor Janet Taylor announced the sale of a large piece of riverfront property to developers Larry Tokarski and Dan Berry. The $7.25 million property was the site of a paper mill owned by Boise Cascade, will be converted to a mixed-use development, including, housing, retail and commercial spaces, and public areas along the waterfront. The mixed-use approach was recommended for the site after a study last year by experts at the Urban Lands Institute.

According to Berry, much of the project will be focused on enhancing the waterfront and connecting to other public pathways and parks:  “Plans for the site include day-lighting the portion of Pringle Creek that has been underground…for over 90 years. We plan to provide…pedestrian paths and plazas along the creek. Pringle Creek pathways are a vital link to connect Bush Park, Salem Hospital and Willamette University to Riverfront Park, and ultimately to Minto Brown Park and Wallace Marine Park.”

ABC Announced Alliance With Other Merit Groups

Portland – The Associated Builders and Contractors, Pacific Northwest Chapter formed an alliance with the Independent Electric Contractors of Oregon (IEC Oregon).  The combined staff will work together to accomplish both the tasks of IEC and ABC under an umbrella association called MCA - the Merit Construction Alliance.

MCA will manage the staff and track the time each employee spends working for each independent association. John Killin will be the new ABC president.

South Waterfront Wins Landscaping Award

Portland - The Walker Macy | Thomas Balsley Associates (WM | TBA) team received an Honor Award from the New York Chapter of American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) for the South Waterfront Greenway Development Plan.

The South Waterfront Greenway Development Plan, accepted by the Portland City Council in 2004, provides a vision and concept plan for the entire South Waterfront Greenway. In 2006, the plan also won an Oregon ASLA Award of Excellence.

The 1.2 mile Greenway  which is a former brownfield site stretches from the Marquam Bridge south to the River Forum Building and strives to balance the needs of the public and the health of the Willamette River.

The Central District is the first phase being implemented. WM|TBA is currently leading this effort. For the Central District Greenway, the plan called for an extension of the Portland trail system (there will be two trails, one for wheels and one for pedestrians) a civic lawn and broad terraced steps adjacent to the civic beach.

Dunn Tops Out Retirement Plaza

Portland - In December, JE Dunn Construction topped out The Heights, a new addition to the Terwilliger Plaza retirement facility in downtown Portland.  The 143,000-sq. ft., 10-floor, wing will add 48 units, an exercise pool and hot tub, a fitness room, a bistro, and a lounge to the complex.

The Heights will be one of the most energy-efficient senior housing projects in the Pacific Northwest,  using 20-25% less energy than similar buildings.  The crew poured the last half of the concrete roof on December 19th, officially topping out the structure.

This is the second project JE Dunn Construction and BOORA Architects, Inc. has done for Terwilliger Plaza.  They also teamed up for the Terwilliger Plaza Retirement Facility Remodel and Terwilliger Terrace Assisted Living Addition that completed in 2000.