Portland 2006
107 Chamber members, community leaders and regional elected officials visited Portland in search of best practices and lessons learned on key issues facing Central Texas. We learned that Portland has achieved their success in many innovative ways, many of which may not be applicable in Central Texas, but may serve as an inspiration to think outside the box in solving our own challenges.
The 2006 InterCity visit highlighted Portland's community planning in regards to transportation and development, including downtown growth, environmental impact, affordable housing, and support for the arts and education.
Presentations
Welcome to Portland — Community Facts
- Roger Mitchell 2007 Chairman, Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce
- Congressman Earl Blumenauer
- Mayor Tom Potter, City of Portland
Regional Government's Role in Community Planning
- Brian Newman, Metro Councilor
Tri-Met, Meeting the Transit Needs
- Fred Hansen, General Manager, Tri-Met
The Other Side of the Story: Is Rail the Best Use of Transit Dollars
- John Charles, President, Cascade Policy Institute
- Rick Gustafson, COO, Portland Streetcar Inc
Development
Pearl District
- Michael Powell, Owner, Powell's Books & Chairman, Portland Streetcar Inc
South Waterfront: Building 21st Century Communities
- Green Dennis Wilde, Senior Project Manager, Gerding/Edlen Development
Tools for Development, Portland Style
- Bruce Warner, Executive Director, Portland Development Commission
Growing Retail Downtown
- Sandra McDonough, President & CEO, Portland Business Alliance
Green Infrastructure: Integrating the Built and Natural Environments
- Mike Houck, Executive Director, Urban Greenspaces Institute
The Role of the Private Sector in Affordable Housing
- Ed McNamara, Principal, Turtle Island Development
Art's Important Role in Portland
- Doug Froman, Executive Director, Portland Museum of Art
- Bruce Gunther, Chief Curator, Portland Museum of Art
Regional Funding for the Arts Eloise Damrosch, Executive Director, Regional Arts & Culture Council
- Sam Adams, Commissioner, City of Portland
Private Support of the Arts
- Homer Williams, Chairman, Williams & Dame Development
Portland Center Stage: The Armory
- Edith Love, Managing Director
- Chris Coleman, Artistic Director
- Molly Raphael, Director of Libraries, Multnomah County Libraries
Education
Building 21st Century Public Schools
- Dr. Vicki Phillips, Superintendent, Portland Public Schools
Serving Portland's Post Secondary Needs — Portland Community College
- Randy McEwen, VP of Administrative Services - Presentation
- Linda Huddle, Director of Alternative Programs/PCC Prep - Presentation