In this month’s Urban Design Panel, we will hear from ZGF on the redevelopment plans for the Lloyd Center.

Lloyd Center Redevelopment Central City Master Plan

Urban Renaissance Group (URG) is initiating a Central City Master Plan (CCMP) for redevelopment of the Lloyd Center site. URG is leading this effort supported by a design and planning team led by ZGF Architects in preparation of a CCMP application for the Lloyd Center that will meet the spirit and the intent of Central City 2035 Plan and its subdistrict policies for the Lloyd District. The resulting Lloyd Center CCMP will serve as a guide for the future development of the site that will establish a new and vibrant center of urban life for NE Portland.

Lloyd Center is located on the eastern edge of the Lloyd District, within the Central City Plan District. The site is 29.3 acres in size and zoned Central Commercial Zone (CX) with a design overlay (d). Currently this area of the Lloyd District lacks a defined identity and sense of place and is disconnected from the surrounding neighborhoods and commercial districts.

The emerging vision for the future of Lloyd Center is one that renews its historic identity as a regional destination, but integrates new residential, retail, entertainment and employment uses with a dynamic and connected public realm. Where the current inward-facing, auto-oriented mall creates barriers between Lloyd and NE Portland neighborhoods, the redeveloped Lloyd Center will create community gathering spaces that are welcoming and accessible for all. URG’s current intention is to orchestrate a phased re-development of the site that allows others to invest and develop selected parcels that contribute to the future development’s  vision.

Higher density residential and commercial buildings will frame a network of diverse but complementary connected open spaces, the framework for which is being spearheaded by Field Operations. These plazas and the connected public realm design will evoke the authentic Portland sublime, integrating elements of our unique Oregon landscapes. Providing a variety of open spaces within the future site will create multiple nodes of interest in the neighborhood at different scales. The largest existing public open space in the Lloyd District is the four-acre Holladay Park, directly south of the Lloyd Center site. Future development envisions a visual and pedestrian connection along a 12th Street Promenade towards Holladay Park, to allow activities in the future development to integrate with and activate the Park.

The Lloyd CCMP is planned to accommodate mixed use buildings, including residential uses anticipated to serve a range of income levels.  Utilities to support these uses will be underground.  Parking to support these uses will vary and is anticipated to be underground. The district strategy for building massing will provide a varied skyline with plenty of light and air at ground level. The CCMP distributes available FAR on the site consistent with the current allowed Base FAR of 6:1 and Bonus 3:1 FAR. Future tower heights will vary within the maximum allowed bonus height for this site of 225’.  

The Lloyd Center site is located in close proximity to abundant transportation infrastructure, including light rail, bus, streetcar, local streets and regional freeway access. To ensure strong connections with the surrounding context, streets that currently terminate at the edges of the Lloyd Center will be extended and connected through the site. Public streets within the plan area will prioritize creation of an active and vital pedestrian environment, while also accommodating bicycle and vehicular access. Bicycle facilities will support logical connections in the NE Portland network as well as access to destinations within the plan area.  In addition to public streets, a series of internal and private laneways are envisioned to provide consolidated service and loading access to building sites and to create clusters of development in different sizes and configurations.

It is important to note that this represents a long-term vision for the site.  In the wake of the pandemic, Lloyd Center has become a hub for small, local retailers and a venue for many community events.  This redevelopment will take years to complete.  Lloyd Center will remain open for business throughout the entitlement process and well into the phased redevelopment of the site. The current ownership is dedicated to supporting the new energy and sense of community that has emerged.

Speakers

The Lloyd team from ZGF, Allison Rouse, Nolan Lienhart and Kate Brooks, looks forward to talking with you about the work!

Nolan Leinhart, Associate AIA, AICP
Principal

 Nolan Lienhart is a Principal and Director of Planning and Urban Design at ZGF Architects. He’s an urban strategist, savvy at navigating technical, community and political perspectives, while guiding design concepts on challenging district-scale developments and site-specific projects such as Portland’s Broadway Corridor Central City Master Plan, Denver’s Civic Center Transit District Plan, and the Oregon-Washington Interstate Bridge Replacement Program. He’s a natural relationship-builder, able to capture both an owner’s and the community’s aspirations, while interfacing between various technical disciplines on a team. Throughout his 15-year tenure with ZGF, Nolan has been viewed as a “trusted advisor” by clients, helping to re-envision places to achieve inclusive place-making, economic growth, and sustainable environments. His civic reach extends to current Board positions for the Sightline Institute, an environmental research Think Tank; the Albina Vision Trust Leadership Council; Oregon Capitol Planning Commission; and Oregon Ballet Theatre.

Allison Rouse, ASLA, PLA, CDT
Principal

From finance to public service, Allison Rouse’s winding path to landscape architecture has resulted in meaningful and sustainable design solutions that benefit the public realm for generations to come. Nearly 30 years after selling her belongings and driving from Colorado to Oregon, she has established herself as an expert project manager who helps clients achieve their goals. In addition to developing scopes, schedules, and budgets for projects of all scales, she is the go-to person our clients call for questions and support. Outside the office Allison can be found tending to her garden or reading a good book.

Kate Brooks, PLA, LEED AP
Associate Principal

Kate Brooks is a Landscape Architect and Urban Designer with 18 years of professional experience in a broad range of landscape architecture, site planning, and urban design work. Her project experience includes the design of public open spaces, large-scale mixed-use developments, transit and streetscape design, campus, and master plans as well as landscapes for U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. Born and raised in Colorado, Kate’s connection to the outdoors inspired her path to environmental design.  She is passionate about implementing resilient and sustainable design strategies and believes biophilic design is essential to connecting humans and communities with the built environment.