To drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and transit-riders traveling East Burnside, it's the fire-engine-red building with a gallery of local artwork wrapped around its facades.
To jurors of the Urban Land Institute's Awards for Excellence program, the Burnside Rocket is a winning example of best practices for land use and development – not just in the region, but in all of North and South America.
The four-story, mixed-use development was named one of 10 top developments across two continents that have succeeded in raising the bar in demonstrating creativity and best practices in land use and property development.
Winners were chosen from 148 entries in what is generally recognized as the land use industry’s most prestigious recognition program. Project designer Kevin Cavenaugh submitted an application to the awards program back in February, led a tour of the building for jurors in April, and received news of the award from ULI officials May 19.
Metro's Transit-Oriented Development Program invested in the high-density project in 2007 from both TOD funds and the program's green building fund.
"The ULI excellence in design award validates the Rocket as a rousing success when it comes to urban design," says Cavenaugh. "Architecture can change a street corner, an entire street or an urban neighborhood. Even now, nearly four years after its completion, I take groups on tours of the building at least once per month."
The awards recognize more than just a project's architecture or design, however. The criteria include leadership, contribution to the community, innovation, public-private partnership, environmental protection and enhancement, response to societal needs, and financial viability.
"I'm very grateful for Metro, and specifically the transit-oriented development program," says Cavenaugh. "They saw the catalytic effect the Burnside Rocket would have. While traditional lenders were a bit wary of the development, having Metro on board early gave the Rocket the credibility to get it to the starting line, and eventually the finish line."
Transit-oriented development, like the Burnside Rocket, helps support the region's six desired outcomes by creating vibrant communities and safe and reliable transportation choices that enhance the quality of life for residents of the Portland metropolitan area.