Longview to Olson Woods

There is some contention amongst the group as to which part of the journey has been the most harrowing, the trip over the border from Washington to Oregon on the bridge over the Columbia, or the approximately 10 mile stretch we rode on I-5 past Fort Lewis.

After crossing the bridge we applauded our ability to fight the wind and steer past the many debris successfully and without finding our way into traffic, under one of the many "wide load" trucks that passed at high speed.

Travelling along Highway 30 in the morning hours the temperature stayed cool and the skies sprinkled light rain intermittently. We passed a small wildfire that still smoldered, ground charred and still smoking, tree trunks blackened--all undergrowth burned away. There were light delays, but we rode past pretty quickly on the shoulder, and were only slowed by a few minutes' wait.

Upon reaching Portland we stopped at a pub for minimal refreshment and then carried on to the REI for a few bike and camping related sundries, then wandered around looking for the light rail. At Union Station we came across a pedi-cabber, who, after letting Laura and Liz ferry him about in his pedi-cab for a bit around the median, was happy to lead us to the Old Town light rail station.

Departing at Beaverton Transit Center we rode out, following the instructions our host had given us, and saw an amazing sight on the horizon: a series of rainbows in ever brighter shades, the array numbering approximately six or seven iterations, as well as a single twin further off to the side.

Twisting and turning along the multi-use path, we finally came to a softball lot, where our host met us and led us on to their household. On arrival we were greeted with a late meal of pasta and lots of fresh fruit and conversation. Exhausted, we finally retired so we could get up early to tour and work at a local site.

At the Watershed, a senior housing project in Hillsdale created by CPAH (Community Partners for Affordable Housing), we sat in on a meeting where some of the builders and management discussed the various green aspects of the building in relation to their residents, as well as other aspects of daily life including plans for health awareness days and so forth.

After the meeting we toured the building, a beautiful LEEDS-certified project which includes dual flush toilets, a heat recovery system, a grey-water system, native plant landscaping, roof-top gardening, passive solar, use of recycled and low-VOC materials, day-lighting, and an entirely non-smoking facility. The building is built on a former brownfield that had existed in disuse since the childhood of one of the board members.

At Olson Woods we ate a quick lunch and did an interview with a reporter before touring one of the apartments and then getting down to work mulching one of the walking paths with recycled tree clippings.

Olson Woods is a multi-family cottage-style development in Tigard (near Portland). We have seen several cottage-style deveopments, and like them more and more the more we see! Cottage-style means that there is a central parking area, then the houses are all clustered around a central area where residents can congregate. Olson Woods was vital, with children playing, volunteers milling about spending time with them, and residents coming and going thru the community center (yes, community center!) for various programs including a food bank program.

At Olson Woods we saw how they had re-structured an existing non-functional wetland into a functional one that now absorbs stormwater and has also become a revitalized habitat for many local species. Other use of green building techniques included minimal carpeting, perveous pavers, hardi-plank siding, and they also treat residents to complimentary green cleaning products, as well as recipes to make green cleaning solutions of their own.

Residences are close to numerous commercial businesses where many of the common working force are employed, thus reducing need for car commuting and enabling bus, bike, and other non-car transit options.

Something different about this development from the H4H developments we have toured previously is that CPAH retains ownership of the units, and tenants rent, rather than own. Thus CPAH is able to seek investors, who are looking to take a loss on the investment to offset gains made thru other investments, thus resulting in a tax break.

We were really thankful for the hospitality of our hosts in Beaverton, the Fink family, who opened their home to us and even hosted a CPAH "happy hour" event so we could meet and talk with many local community members.

You can visit CPAH at: www.cpahinc.org

Hope you are riding safe and enjoying your summer!

-Nova, RGBG