Big Changes Ahead for the Homestead Area and Terwilliger Parkway

The Homestead Neighborhood Association met September 5 with OHSU staff to discuss the OHSU Transportation Demand Management Project (TDM). Currently OHSU is limited as to where they can increase parking on Marquam Hill.  As the hospital's services grow so do the issues created by limited vehicular access. This new project is attempting to align parking needs and access with growth.  It consists of policies, incentives, and infrastructure to reduce single occupancy vehicle trips.  At the same time, the plan is to make it easier to walk, bike, car share and to shift trips to off peak hours. Homestead was asked to review the plan and make recommendations or improvements.  This is a project that will certainly benefit the area if successful.

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OHSU staff and Landscape Consultants from Meyer-Reed were also on the agenda to introduce and solicit ideas for the concept of improving OHSU's patient and visitor entrance at SW Campus entrance. The project is branded as the "OHSU Gateway" project. 

The membership provided some feedback regarding the design that would reflect the Terwilliger Parkway, some even suggesting that the "Gateway" should be placed the other side of the Casey Eye building because very little of the land on SW Campus Drive is OHSU property.  Much of the space in question is public right-of-way or owned by the Park Bureau. 

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The concept of an OHSU Gateway comes to the forefront as the planning for the Marquam Hill Connector becomes more defined.  This is the connection to the OHSU and VA facilities from the proposed light rail service on Barbur or Naito Parkway. 

Both the Marquam Hill Connector and the OHSU Gateway are being considered for the vicinity of the Campus and Terwilliger intersection.  It is essential that these two concepts be given every possible consideration for esthetic and operational design so that no degradation of the Terwilliger Parkway occur.

 The Homestead Board has voiced concerns about the placement of the connector project and the proposal for an at-grade crossing on Terwilliger Boulevard.  It could mean drastic changes to the look and feel of the Parkway, possibly requiring a stop light or crossing signal which in turn could affect the already slow and congested descent down the hill during rush hour.  This new Gateway to OHSU may bring more traffic to neighborhoods and add to the congestion that could occur at Terwilliger Blvd./Campus Drive location as a result of an at-grade SW Connector.

Discussions continue, but some of the more defined concerns of Homestead are the diversion from established guidelines for the Parkway, the disturbance of the natural feel of the parkway and how this project will affect the entire slope down to the light rail connection.

"Terwilliger changes as the landscape and the city grow.  The quality of its future character will depend both on the effects of nature and the care taken by the citizens of Portland."  From The Terwilliger Corridor Plan, pg. 6.