Julia West House is a 12-story, high rise project featuring a cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure, making it the tallest of its kind in Oregon. Designed with sustainability in mind, this project will achieve National Green Building Standard and Energy Star certifications, ensuring eco-conscious living for its residents.
Transformative Projects (PDX)
March 6, 2025
Join us for an exciting evening showcasing Transformative Projects! This dynamic PechaKucha-style event will feature visionary speakers, each delivering rapid-fire presentations on groundbreaking developments shaping the future of the Portland metro and beyond.
By overwhelming demand, the fabulous Poison Waters returns as our event host. She will dazzle and entertain us as each speaker, shares the captivating stories behind their transformative project. Get ready for an unforgettable program filled with bold ideas, inspiring creativity, and the energy of a connected community!
FEATURED PROJECTS

Photo By James Beard Public Market
JAMES BEARD PUBLIC MARKET
Slated to open in 2025, downtown Portland’s James Beard Public Market will be a daily, year-round market dedicated to honoring the legacy of James Beard and celebrating the best of Oregon’s food and culture. With its mission to enhance access to affordable nutrition, promote sustainable agriculture, and revive Portland’s public market history, the market will provide economic opportunities for an estimated 40 small businesses. The market’s focus on equity, social responsibility, environmental stewardship, and education will foster an inclusive food space encompassing a teaching kitchen, farm stands, fish market, butcher, cheese shop, bookstore, fast casual dining, and more. In the heart of Portland, the James Beard Public Market will be a market for all.

Photo By Port of Portland
T2: BUILDING INNOVATION HUB
The T2 Building Innovation Hub is a signature project of the Oregon Mass Timber Coalition, led by the Port of Portland. The Port of Portland is an economic engine for the region, connecting people and local businesses who have been left out of the region’s economic growth to powerful opportunities. We are transforming a former marine terminal into a statewide hub for Oregon’s mass timber industry and housing manufacturing to help grow the state’s economy and address some of our region’s biggest challenges, from climate change to housing.

Photo By Community Development Partners
JULIA WEST HOUSE
Julia West House interweaves affordable housing with comprehensive services for houseless elders, providing residents with the support and stability they need to thrive.
Located in Downtown Portland, Julia West House provides 90 units of permanent supportive housing, featuring both studio and one-bedroom floor plans. The community is dedicated to serving houseless elders and BIPOC individuals earning 30% or less AMI and providing robust resident services tailored to household needs.

Photo By SERA Architects
MADE IN OLD TOWN
Made in Old Town is a project revitalizing a Portland neighborhood and transforming urban centers into vibrant ecosystems where production, retail, and living spaces coexist harmoniously.
The Made in Old Town project clearly defines the future of Portland’s Old Town neighborhood. The development is designed to spark the future of clean, environmentally sustainable footwear and apparel manufacturing. Grounded in high-quality urban design and inclusive wealth-building for Portland’s community, the project will strategically invest in vacant and under-utilized properties, transforming four Portland city blocks into a world-class sustainable industry campus.

Photo By DIG Real Estate
THE STEWARD
The Steward is the first certified Path to Net Zero property in Tigard, Oregon, offering fully electric living without the carbon operating footprint from natural gas. The Steward combines environmentally friendly living with purposeful design, where energy efficiency, sustainable practices, and sophisticated design coexist to align where and how you live. The rooftop photovoltaic solar system (103 kW) generates energy for The Steward to operate, which allows The Steward’s residents to live and work in the cleanest and safest environment.

Photo By Steve Young
WILDLIFE HOSPITAL AND NATURE SANCTUARY
Bird Alliance of Oregon is redeveloping 12.5 acres on NE 82nd Avenue to establish a new Wildlife Care Center and create a publicly accessible nature sanctuary. The project includes habitat restoration, nature trails, educational facilities, and space for collaborative environmental initiatives.
Previously a rock quarry and later a landfill containing construction debris from I-205, the site represents an opportunity to repurpose underutilized land for conservation and community benefit. With a longstanding focus on brownfield remediation, Bird Alliance of Oregon is working to transform this property into a functional and sustainable asset for the region.

DISCOVERY CORNER PLAZA
Discovery Corner plaza serves as the vibrant heart of Discovery West, a mixed-use neighborhood in Bend. This thoughtfully designed plaza is surrounded by live-work townhomes that integrate retail and small businesses on the ground floor, creating a dynamic streetscape. Anchoring the space is a hand-forged sculpture within a central firepit, offering a welcoming outdoor gathering area for residents and visitors alike.
As part of a 38-acre expansion of Discovery Park, the development blends urban conveniences with natural surroundings, fostering a walkable and connected community.