What does it mean to build a sustainable corridor? How do you honor the overall goal of conserving resources, but also engage stakeholders to develop the right type of project for their community? Take a wider look at the national perspective on building sustainable corridors. What is being done across the country to conserve resources and involve communities in these efforts? Then hear stories about a successful sustainable corridor in Portland; Albuquerque's BRT project; and an urban green plan to transform existing park-and-ride lots along Los Angeles' growing transit network into more sustainable places. Moderator: Shelley Poticha, AICP, Director, Urban Solutions, Natural Resources Defense Council; Board Member, Board of Directors, Rail~Volution, Washington, DC Katherine Lemmon, Transportation Planning Manager, Metro, Los Angeles, California Robert Hastings, Agency Architect, TriMet, Portland, Oregon David Leard, AICP, Senior Management Consultant, HDR, Seattle, Washington

1. Sustainability- Have faith in the
Measurable… and the Immeasurable
Robert Hastings, FAIA
Agency Architect
TriMet
Capital Projects
2015 Railvolution, Dallas TX
October 28, 2015

2. Three Points
•How TriMet fashioned a
comprehensive Sustainability
Program
•Used ENVISION™ to measure the
quantitative and qualitative outcomes
•Sustainability Initiative Focus-
turning remnant properties (trash)
into useful projects (treasure)

3. Project Overview
•Extension of light rail from Portland
State University south
•10 new stations—two on the west
side of the Willamette River and eight
on the east side
•The Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail
Bridge spanning the river from
OSHU’s future South Waterfront
campus to OMSI
•South terminus on SE Park Avenue
in Clackamas County

4. Project Overview
• $1.49 billion (50% FTA
funding)
• Up to 14,500 jobs created
• 7.3-mile light rail extension
• 10 elevated structures
• 718 vehicle parking at 2 Park
& Rides
• 445 bicycle parking
• 22,800 weekday rides by 2030
• 10 major contracts totaling
~$700m
• 5.1m square feet of property
acquired

5. Corridor Segments
•Innovation Quadrant
•Neighborhoods/Employment
Segment
•Neighborhoods/ Recreation
Segment
•Downtown Milwaukie Segment
•Green Gateway/ Multi-modal
Segment

6. Sustainability Program Summary
•Create a ‘new normal’ of agency integration of
project-wide sustainability initiatives
•Internally- Lead a new direction of ‘State of Good
Repair’; build in resiliency
•Externally- make connections to neighborhoods,
communities
•Holistic, inclusive engagement, collaborative
support, demonstrate TriMet values
•Seek, select, utilize new innovations in
measurements for sustainability- Quantitative &
Qualitative

7. Sustainability Program
 FTA/EPA/HUD Partnership:
• Livability Principles- protect the environment, promote equitable
development, and help to address the challenges of climate
change
• Six guiding livability principles
 Provide more transportation choices
 Promote equitable, affordable housing
 Enhance economic competitiveness
 Support existing communities
 Coordinate and leverage federal policies and investment
 Value communities and neighborhoods
From the FTA Sustainability Toolkit, August 2011 edition

8. Sustainability Program
 TriMet Values: holistic approach, be a national
leader
• Progressively build on previous project experience
• Create a ‘new normal’ of agency integration of project-wide
sustainability initiatives
• Internally: Lead a new direction of ‘State of Good Repair’; build
in resiliency for daily operations
• Externally: Make connections to neighborhoods, communities,
partner with commerce/govt.

9. Sustainability: Going Beyond the
Triple Bottom Line
Conventional sustainability frameworks seek to
measure the ability to deliver economic
performance, environmental excellence
and social contribution.
Quadruple Bottom Line – includes Governance
Quintuple Bottom Line – changes Culture
How do you measure the effectiveness of
sustainability strategies spanning these
realms?

10. Program Development
 January 2010,TriMet workshop- led by VIA
Architects
• Design/Engineering
• Operations
• Facilities Maintenance

11.  Broad Themes
• Throughout Design, Construction, Maintenance
• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Program Development

12.  Natural Systems
• Storm water treatments
• Landscape materials
Program Development

13.  Habitat
• Willamette River
• Crystal Springs
• Tacoma Park & Ride
• Trolley Trail & Park Avenue
Program Development

14.  Innovations
• Eco-track
• Eco-roof
• Renewable Energy
• LED Lighting
• Durable Materials
Program Development

15.  28 viable initiatives
Three Categories-
-Do, integrate into the project
-Consider, needs more information
-Already happening, track quantities and impacts
Program Development

16.  Do - Top 10
1. Smart Track- happening at Park Ave
2. Wayside Energy- happening at Park Ave
3. Pervious Paving- done
4. Eco trackway- done at Lincoln Station
5. Durability- throughout the Project
6. Material Salvage- throughout the Project
7. Bicycle & Pedestrian Connectivity- throughout the Project
8. Art- Sustainability Themes- throughout the Project
9. Provide Habitat- throughout the Project
10.Flex Parking; Zipcar, Getaround- Tacoma & Park Ave P & R
Program Development

17.  Consider
11.Commissioning – in process
12.Vehicle Charging – happening at Park Ave
13.Vegetated Structures – on some system buildings
14.Temporary Art During Construction - done
15.LEED Certification – happening at Center Street
16.Habitat Protection - done
17.Solar Energy (Wind too!) – platform shelters, buildings, Bridge
VAWT
18.Transit Oriented Development – in process
Program Development

18.  Already Happening - Track Quantities
19.Solar Energy at Ruby Junction
20.Train Grey Water Recycling Washing
21.Water Quality
22.Landscaping
23.Ecosystems
24.Noise Pollution Mitigation
25.Light Pollution; dark skies initiative
26.Material Selection; local sourcing
27.Construction Sustainability Programs
28.Composite Ties
Program Development

19. THE NEED FOR A Transit FRAMEWORK
There’s been significant focus on the sustainability
of the built environment, but not in infrastructure,
which covers larger areas and has wider, more
variable impacts
The lack of indicators and assessment methods to
comprehensively measure the progress toward
sustainable infrastructure has been a barrier to its
development.

20. • Reporting Results- “so what does it all mean?”
 Help TriMet evaluate the effectiveness of its
sustainability strategy
 Identify additional opportunities for sustainable
construction
 Communicate the effectiveness of sustainability
initiatives to internal and external stakeholders
Program Implementation
Tracking/Metrics

21. • JLA Public Involvement with Parametrix
• ENVISION- new innovative national methodology for transit
• INVEST- new pilot project methodology for Federal Highway Administration
• Reporting Results- “so what does it all mean?”
Program Implementation
Tracking/Metrics

22. •ENVISIONTM- a complete approach; innovative methodology for
infrastructure
Program Implementation- ENVISIONTM

23. •Provided guidance and tools to further improve the
sustainability of the PMLR
•Provide a baseline for future reporting and
benchmarking by collecting and displaying
sustainability metrics for the design and construction
of the PMLR
•Display the breadth and depth of TriMet’s
commitment to sustainability in order to educate and
hopefully inspire others outside of the agency; and
•Encourage an open and honest conversation about
the challenges faced and solutions needed to move
forward
Program Implementation- ENVISIONTM

24. •ENVISIONTM is designed to be used as a project
assessment tool and to provide guidance for
sustainable infrastructure design.
•Applies to all phases of infrastructure development
“The purpose of ENVISIONTM is to initiate a systemic
change…to transform the way infrastructure is
designed, built, and operated.” -William Bertera
Program Implementation- ENVISIONTM

25. 60 Possible Credits in 5 Categories
Purpose, Community, Well-
being
Siting, Land & Water,
Biodiversity
Materials, Energy,
Water
Collaboration, Management,
Planning
Emission,
Resilience
Source: Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure 2013.
Program Implementation- ENVISIONTM

26. Levels of achievement:
1.Improved
2.Enhanced
3.Superior
4.Conserving
5.Restorative
Source: Institute for Sustainable
Infrastructure 2013.
Program Implementation- ENVISIONTM

27. Qualitative assessment methods- example: turning building
demolition into a training opportunity for local firefighters
1. We crosswalk initiatives to the
appropriate credit(s), which in
this case is “LD1.3 Foster
Collaboration and Teamwork.”
2. Using building demolition as a
training opportunity shows a shift
from ‘business-as-usual’ to a
systems view of project design
and delivery, helping TriMet earn
a “Superior” Level of
Achievement for this credit.
Program Implementation- ENVISIONTM

28. Quantitative assessment methods
Sustainability
Strategy
Effectiveness
Measure
Potential Measurement
Methodology
Unit
Meaningful Interpretation of
Strategy
Potential/Example of
Meaningful
Interpretation
SmartTrack
Engineering
Energy Savings, Air
Emissions Avoided
Measure the total amount of
energy saved due to adjustments
in track geometry over the
proposed lifetime of the system.
This measurement could be
interpreted from the track
profiles created by the Track
Engineer (URS).
Kilowatt Hours (kWh) of
Electricity Saved
Using Agency-Approved Equivalency
Calculators (Such as the EPA GHG
Calculator which can be accessed online at
http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-
resources/calculator.html), develop
meaningful equivalency messaging.
"Smart Track Engineering
Saves Enough Energy to
Power X Number of
Portland Homes for One
Year".
Wayside
Regenerative
Energy Storage
Energy Savings, Air
Emissions Avoided
Measure the total energy savings
realized by reconverting energy by
using motors as generators when
braking. This measurement could
be interpreted using existing
systems and architectural plans
prepared by Systems Engineer
(LTK).
Kilowatt Hours (kWh) of
Electricity Saved
Using Agency-Approved Equivalency
Calculators (Such as the EPA GHG
Calculator which can be accessed online at
http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-
resources/calculator.html), develop
meaningful equivalency messaging.
"Regenerative Energy
Storage Saves Enough
Energy to Power X
Number of Electrical
Vehicles for One Year".
Salvage
Materials from
Selected
Demolished
Buildings
Waste Avoided, Air
Emissions Avoided,
Energy Saved,
Quantity of Oil and
Gas NOT Consumed,
and other metrics.
EPA created the Waste Reduction
Model (WARM) to help solid
waste planners and organizations
track and voluntarily report
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
reductions from several different
waste management practices.
Kilowatt Hours (kWh) of
Electricity Saved, Tons of
Emissions Avoided, Tons of
Waste Beneficially Reused,
Gallons of Gasoline Saved,
and more.
WARM allows users to compare baseline
scenarios of material consumption with
alternative, more sustainable scenarios. The
JLA team could populate material recovered
(tons) from buildings using data collected by
Stacy and Witbeck.
"During construction, the
PMLR team salvaged X tons
of building materials for
beneficial re-use. This has
the same impact on the
climate as planning X
number of trees."
Bicycle
Access/Bike -
Ped
Connection/
Flex Bicycling
Several, including
gallons of gasoline
saved, air emissions
avoided, and number
and type of non-
motorized transport
users.
The Transportation Research
Board has published data on how
bicycle access affects ridership.
Using this data as a baseline, the
JLA project team could apply a
framework for evaluating non-
motorized transportation benefits
and costs developed the Victoria
Transport Policy Institute in
British Columbia.
The "Units" of measurement
could be as diverse as the
categories of non-motorized
transport benefits and costs,
which include "Improved
walking and cycling conditions
", "Increased walking and
cycling activity", "Reduced
automobile travel", "Land Use
Impacts", "Economic
Development", and "Cost".
In the category of Reduced Automobile
Travel, examples of meaningful metrics
include congestion reduction, road and
parking facility cost savings, consumer savings,
accident reductions, energy conservation and
air emissions reductions.
"The PMLR makes it
possible for X number of
people a year to use their
bikes and public transit to
get to work. This amounts
to a savings of X gallons of
gasoline each year."
Wayside
Regenerative
Energy Storage
Energy Savings, Air
Emissions Avoided
Measure the total energy savings
realized by reconverting energy by
using motors as generators when
braking. This measurement could
be interpreted using existing
systems and architectural plans
prepared by Systems Engineer
(LTK).
Kilowatt Hours (kWh) of
Electricity Saved
Using Agency-Approved Equivalency
Calculators (Such as the EPA GHG
Calculator which can be accessed online at
http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-
resources/calculator.html), develop
meaningful equivalency messaging.
"Regenerative Energy
Storage Saves Enough
Energy to Power X
Number of Electrical
Vehicles for One Year".
Program Implementation- ENVISIONTM

29. • Gideon Urban Micro Business Incubators (GUMBI) – Clinton Station
• Heads and Tails – SE 17th Corridor
• Sparrow Commons – ODOT Pit/South Milwaukie
• Update on Brooklyn Tool Kit
“The Portland-Milwaukie light rail alignment shall weave
itself into the natural, economic and human fabric of the
adjacent neighborhoods more than any previous TriMet
alignment. For, rather than TriMet distinguishing this
alignment as a system within Portland, it will become the
city itself.”

30. Overarching Goals for All of the Projects
• Leverage highest and best use of TriMet-owned station area parcels
• Facilitate the early approval, support and guidance from BDS, BOPS, PBOT
the City of Milwaukie and Clackamas County
• Engage a diverse range of developers (non-profits, small scale builders,
etc.),
spread the wealth of potential partners
• Utilize existing public and private sector financing partnerships
• Move toward "in-the-ground" or "completed by" ribbon-cutting time-line

31. Clinton Station
Gideon Urban Micro Business Incubators
(GUMBI) Goals:
• Activate station area
• Create business incubators on TriMet-owned 16 x 800 foot parcel
• Jumpstart future station area development

32. • Adjacent to heavy freight rail corridor
• Occupancy scheduled for April 2012
• 4 Buildings at 16 foot widths
Precedent
By Green Gables

33. • Green building and usury practices
• Fully leased with waiting list

34. Proposed: Gideon Urban Micro Business Incubators
(GUMBI)

35. • Same sidewalk width as PMLR 90% drawings
• Same amount of stormwater management as 90% drawings
• 50% of on-street parking for north side of Gideon
GUMBI ROW and Stormwater Management
Stormwater Treatment Between Buildings Stormwater Treatment in ROW

36. Existing
90%
Drawing
Proposed
Gideon
Incubators

37. 1. Market analysis undertaken
2. Presentations made to TriMet's real estate managers
3. Developer of Front Street Project fully engaged
4. Project conceptually approved and unconditionally supported by BDS, BOPS,
PBOT
Next Steps:
• Properties purchased by TriMet
• TriMet issues RFQ/P
2013 status of GUMBI:

38. 1. TriMet initiated and led RFQ/ RFP
2. Selects developer; ‘Reworks’
3. Highly innovative TOD approach; small foot print commercial, maker spaces
4. ‘Intertwine’- highly supported by City of Portland
5. Inspires other actions; private development with City collaboration
Next Steps:
• Final permitting
• Construction begins early 2016
GUMBI: Today

41. SE 17th Avenue
Corridor Improvements
TriMet-owned
properties
slated for
TriMet bus
driver parking
TriMet
purchase but
no identified
use

42. Near Term and Far Term Development Recommendations for SE 17th
Avenue (Heads and Tails)
Goals for Heads and Tails:
• Determine highest and best use for all parcels
• Build ridership
• Provide parking for TriMet
• Provide neighborhood-scale retail services for residents and workers
• Preserve appropriate expansion opportunities for TriMet

43. MicroIncubator ground floor
Residential apartments or condos above
Small commercial spaces on ground floor
2-story loft units shown above, parking in
between
Typical small commercial spaces on ground floor
Small, economical apartment flats shown above
(cyan), parking in between
Potential
Development
Configurations

44. A B-1 B-2
Apartments over
Micro Commercial
Loft Apartments with
Commercial in Three Buildings
Eff. Apartments with
Commercial in Three
Buildings
Sitework
Building
$130,000
$1,468,500
$130,000
$1,981,500
$130,000
$2,515,500
Total Construction $1,598,500 $2,111,500 $2,645,500
Soft Costs $559,475 $739,025 $925,925
Total Development Cost (TDC) $2,157,975 $2,850,525 $3,571,425
Capitalized Value $1,826,082 $2,542,643 $3,437,987
GAP ($331,893) ($307,882) ($133,438)
Gap as % of Cap Value -18.2% -12.1% -3.9%
Project Economics
Gaps can be reduced or eliminated with ten or more units to qualify for the Transit Tax Credit

45. RECOMMENDATION #1
Utilize PG&E site and Center Street “Heads” for near term
TriMet parking and potential for long term future TriMet or
Private development.
RECOMMENDATION #2
Create fertile RFQ process for development of “tails”
Possibilities Project Recommendations

46. Potential Partners
• Smaller, design/develop or design/build entities
• Reach
• Proud Ground
• Habitat for Humanity
• Portland YouthBuilders
• Hammer&Hand
• Green Gables
• Neil Kelly
• Benson High School
• Umpqua Bank
• American Institute of Architects
Work with a diverse set of builders and developers rather than a single
firm.

47. Status of Heads and Tails Project to Date
1. Presentations made to TriMet's parking and real estate
managers
2. Exploratory discussions undertaken with a range of non-profit
and for profit developers
3. Concepts approved in principle by BOPS, BDS, PBOT
Next Steps:
• Further conversations with not-for-profit development groups
• Hold for-profit developer round table discussion with TriMet prior
to issuing RFQ/P

48. Heads and Tails Projects: Today
1. TriMet initiated and led RFQ/ RFP
2. Selected developer
3. Highly innovative TOD; market rate housing, retail, parking
4. City of Portland support
Next Steps:
• Finalize developer/TriMet agreement
• Close funding gap
•Construction; mid 2016

49. SE 17th Avenue- SE Boise to SE Mall Streets

50. SE 17th Avenue- SE Boise to SE Mall Streets

51. Enhancing the Brooklyn Neighborhood
• Tapping into existing improvement funding programs
• Improving safety, security, circulation and sense of pride
• Facilitating the residents opportunity to improve their homes

52. The Brooklyn Toolkit
• Additional Street Trees
• New Bike Boulevard
• Improved pedestrian circulation/green
streets
• Additional streetlights
• Energy audits and improvement grants
• Additional curb ramps
• Fast-track granny flat permitting and
financing
TODAY TOMORROW
Toolkit Could Include:

53. New Curb Ramp
Opportunities

54. Existing Streetlights

55. Green Street &
Bike Boulevard
Opportunities

56. Street Tree Gaps &
Opportunities

57. Potential Accessory
Dwelling Units

58. The Brooklyn Toolkit

59. ODOT Gravel Pit, Co-Housing Development
Sparrow Commons

60. Co-Housing Precedents
• Low Impact to Neighborhood
• Shared Open Space
• Community Resource

62. Co-Housing Promotes:
• Neighborhood livability
• Sense of community
• Reduced infrastructure & pavement
• Smart building considerations

63. Sparrow Commons Illustration by Dave Carpenter

64. Status of Sparrow Commons
• Unofficial conceptual approval by City of Milwaukie Development Staff
• New City of Milwaukie housing code to be adapted by City
Council, March, 2012
• Specific User Identified
• All other work on hold until determination by TriMet