Portland is a City of Bridges. They are mind bendingly expensive to build though, so they come along as projects rarely. There are as many bicyclists and artists as there are armchair architects in Portland, including myself. So when the possibility of a bridge design comes it seems to attract a frenzy of design speculation. If the Sellwood Bridge does not fall down first, probably the next to be built will be a bridge to carry a future Orange Line MAX to Milwaukie. Its circuitous route passes PSU, winding its way down to the South Waterfront neighborhood, crosses the river, zags back North to OMSI, then travels along the route 99 corridor. The bridge is also slated to carry bikes and peds. No cars.
There is a discussion of that bridge between South Waterfront and OMSI as part of the Bright Spaces series of talks. Lesley Hallick, OHSU Provost and Nancy Stueber, OMSI President speak on the development implications of the bridge and the impact on their respective institutions. The speaker bios are interesting. Dr. Hallick began her career at OHSU as professor of molecular biology and immunology in 1977. Stueber started at OMSI as manager of community events in 1981.
The Bright Lights discussions are a joint venture between Portland Spaces Magazine and the City Club of Portland. Portland Spaces Magazine is helmed by Randy Gragg, photographer, arts writer and writer on city planning and design. The crowd is a smart admixture of distinguished architects, city planners, developers and thinkers. It's where the deciders get their information and network. The event is at Jimmy Mak,s 221 NW 10th 6PM sharp Free
