Comprehensive Plan Breakout Sessions Offer Chance for In-depth Discussions With Participants

Now that the Working Draft Part 1 of the Comprehensive Plan Update has been released (info here), it's time for the community to talk about it.  A series of seven workshops begins next Tuesday, Feb. 19 in Southwest Portland at the Multnomah Art Center. Each workshop will provide two ways to participate. In the general session, community members can learn abou the project, the working Draft Part 1 and provide feedback on the draft plan. The general session is formatted as an open house, allowing particpants to come and go during the three-hour timeframe.

In the breakout sessions participants will have a chance to explore some of our most interesting and challenging land use issues. The sessions will incorporate a combination of presentations and facilitated discussions or open houses, with staff present to provide information and answer questions.  

There are two goals of the breakout sessions. First, the project team wants to share information about some of the key issues in the draft plan to help people make informed decisions about housing and job growth, business development and public investments, transportation and the environment. The second goal is to hear from the community and get feedback on specific questions around these topics.

Or you can comment via an online survey here (starting Feb. 1).

The breakout sessions (schedule below) will focus on:

Growth Scenarios – How and Where We'll Grow: Learn more about how the location of new housing and businesses affects our goals, such as access to jobs and proximity to transit. This session will include a presentation, followed by questions and answers with staff.

Investment Decisions – Prioritizing Limited Dollars: Share your ideas about where and how the City of Portland should invest in infrastructure — roads, parks, sewer and stormwater systems, and other facilities and services provided by the City of Portland. This session will include a brief presentation and an interactive session.

Transportation Open House: Learn more about the Transportation System Plan and discuss the draft transportation goals and policies. Staff will be available to answer questions.

Urban Design Framework Open House: Review ideas about what Portland could look like as the city grows. Learn about concepts, like centers, corridors and pattern areas. There will be lots of maps and images at this open house. Staff will be there to discuss various concepts and their implications.

Designing with Nature: Discuss ways to restore and reconnect habitat in the city, design development with nature in mind and provide all Portlanders with equitable access to nature. This session will include a presentation and a round table discussion.
Healthy Economy and Environment: Discuss strategies to support industrial jobs, while simultaneously protecting and improving environmental and human health. This session will include a presentation and an in-depth discussion.

This format will allow community members to gather with their neighbors, peers, friends and project team members to discuss in-depth their ideas about the future of the city and their neighborhoods. The information gathered during the breakout sessions will be used to amend the Working Draft Part 1 and guide the development of the Working Draft Part 2.
Join us for these lively conversations near you!

Workshop Locations, Dates and Times

West: Tuesday, Feb. 19, 6 – 9 p.m.
Multnomah Arts Center, 7688 SW Capitol Highway, Portland

North:
Tuesday, Feb. 26, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
DeLa Salle North Catholic High School
7528 N Fenwick Avenue, Portland

SE: Thursday, Feb. 28, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Franklin High School, 5405 SE Woodward Street, Portland

East: Saturday, March 2, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
David Douglas High School, 1001 SE 135th Avenue, Portland

Central City: Tuesday, March 5, 5 – 8 p.m.
Smith Memorial Student Union, Portland State University, 1825 SW Broadway Avenue, Portland

NE: Saturday, March 9, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Beaumont Middle School, 4043 NE Fremont Street, Portland

Business: Thursday, March 14, 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. (presentation scheduled to begin at 8 a.m.)
Mercy Corps - Aceh Community Room, 45 SW Ankeny Street, Portland