Portlands aerial tram provides catalyst for nations largest sustainable development

PORTLAND, Ore.—An aerial tram has now officially opened to the public in Portland, connecting the city’s new River Blocks neighborhood in the South Waterfront District to the main campus of Oregon Health & Science University—the state’s major research university. With its striking design and unique urban setting, the tram is the linchpin in an extensive sustainable development project that’s setting records in a city already known for its green efforts. The 38 acres of former industrial wasteland on the banks of the Willamette River is being transformed into a dense neighborhood of urban homes, retail space, parks, and an extension of the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) campus. Underlying it all is a distinctly Portland vibe—diverse transportation options like the tram, an earth-friendly twist on urban livability, and a dramatic riverside setting.

As the largest sustainable urban redevelopment project in the nation, South Waterfront represents a growing national trend toward green developments. All buildings in the district are being designed for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. The 400,000-square-foot OHSU Center for Health & Healing is targeting LEED Platinum and would be the largest health care facility in the country to achieve that rating. The first two residential buildings are targeting LEED Gold.