Opening 2009: The Next Big Thing Downtown

A renaissance is right around the corner.

Get ready for big changes on 5th and 6th avenues! We're making major renovations that will transform Portland's aging transit mall into a vibrant and inviting place for residents, commuters and shoppers.

Opening in 2009, a new MAX light rail line to Clackamas County—dubbed the "Green Line"—will run the length of the Mall, connecting Union Station and Portland State University.

And a host of improvements, including refurbished streets and sidewalks, new transit shelters, better lighting and eye-catching public art, will soon revitalize these signature downtown streets.

The I-205/Portland Mall Light Rail Project is bringing a renewed energy and vitality to 5th and 6th avenues. It's the next big thing downtown.

Better transit service for commuters, students and shoppers

Portland's transportation system needs to grow in order to accommodate an expected 1 million new residents in the region by 2030. Adding MAX downtown is a critical element in the region's long-range transportation plan, setting the stage for future light rail extensions to Milwaukie, Vancouver and to the southwest.

• The Portland Mall light rail segment will greatly expand transit service downtown, while the I-205 segment will bring light rail into Clackamas County, Oregon's third most populous county.
• MAX will connect to PSU—the top transit destination in downtown Portland—where 40 percent of students, faculty and staff ride TriMet.
• Adding MAX to the Mall will allow TriMet to redirect bus service to the growing west end along Jefferson and Columbia, make better connections to Westside MAX and run more buses in underserved areas.
• Riders on other bus and MAX lines traveling downtown may see a slight improvement in travel times.

The new MAX line will be highly used by riders: projections estimate approximately 46,500 daily boardings by 2025. Of those riders, 84 percent are expected to start and/or end their trip within the I-205 corridor.

To meet this demand, downtown trains will run every five minutes throughout the day. When the Green Line opens in September 2009, riders will be able to travel from Clackamas Town Center to Gateway in 15 minutes or reach Pioneer Courthouse Square in 39 minutes.

Learn more about future transit service on the Mall
Learn more about MAX along I-205 to Clackamas (trimet.org)

A better environment for business

A healthy and accessible downtown is good for Portland and will attract businesses, shoppers and jobs.

• The downtown business community and property owners strongly believe the I-205/Portland Mall Light Rail Project will serve as an economic catalyst for the region. As a result, they supported the creation of a Local Improvement District, which taxes downtown property owners to help pay for the project.
• The Mall is being redesigned with urban development in mind to encourage property owners to reinvest in the area.
• The project is currently exploring funding for a targeted program of block-by-block improvements that could help improve vitality and economic activity along the Mall.
• A new "see-through" transit shelter design will allow a clearer view of ground floor businesses along the Mall.

Better looking and more inviting for shoppers, commuters and visitors

After nearly 30 years in operation, the Portland Mall is ready for renovation. Streets and bricks are cracked, and overall maintenance costs are increasing. The Mall is seen as uninviting, and safety has become a concern.

The I-205/Portland Mall Light Rail Project will revitalize 5th and 6th avenues with refurbished streets, sidewalks and intersections, along with new lighting, trees, art and street furniture—all designed to transform the Mall into a friendly and inviting public space where people and businesses want to be.

Learn more about station designs and amenities being built on the Mall
Learn more about public art on the Mall

Project goals

• Improve transit service to support future growth
• Enliven and renovate the Mall to create a great public space and a safe pedestrian environment
• Support and promote further investments in downtown business, residential, cultural and institutional uses
• Design and construct the Mall on schedule, within budget and with minimal impacts