Veterans’ Memorial Bridge between Portland and South Portland

Hi,

On another front, not sure how aware you are of the replacement project for the Veterans’ Memorial Bridge between Portland and SoPo.

I have gotten involved and sit on a stakeholders committee (actually representing the Portland Society of Architects Advocacy Committee…long story…), which had its first meeting last Thursday before the ULI event at Portland Museum of Art (and excellent forum, if you didn’t happen to attend!).

MAIA is getting involved, as is GP Landmarks, Portland Trails, and many from the bike-ped community. I am probably remiss in not pushing this sooner, but my plates can only hold so much! This should be brought to our membership, and we should think about weighing in in some way, if desired.

The PSA has issued a position statement (posted on the MSLA website eNews page, under Mid-Winter 2009), and early communications have gone to the cities’ planners and the MDOT encouraging, among other things, the consideration of aesthetics and “design excellence” in the project. An RFQ is supposed to hit the streets in February, and we are concerned that the typical MDOT RFQ model will not include criteria for design qualifications and are urging dialogue/review/input into the process.

Thoughts? Please forward to others in our organization who may wish to comment and dialogue.

Thanks,

Mark G. Johnson ASLA, LEED AP
Landscape Architect

January Question - The Business of Landscape Architecture in 2009

As the economy continues to struggle into 2009 many firms are watching their list of projects and clients shrink. It is during these times that firms begin to tighten the fiscal belt and become creative in drumming up new clients and work.

What has your firm done to become more frugal and at the drafting boards?