Portland Walking Tour:: Arts, Sustainability and Culture Tour
Times: 10:00am
Days: M, W, F
Start: Multnomah County Library
Cost: $24/person ($15 for Groups 6+)
Welcome!!
Our walking tour covers a section of downtown and is designed as a well-balanced introduction to our beautiful city. Some of the major themes we will cover throughout the tour:
• “The Portland Plan”: A vision for the city that began in the mid 1970’s. Because of our savvy city planners we have one of the most livable cities in the U.S. As early as 1960 we have been thinking about elements that make for great livability, such as public-transit, art, and open spaces. The greatest momentum for this vision was seen in the 70’s.
• Portland is one of the Greenest Cities in the U.S. The list is long when it comes to green though we will see evidence of some of the following: Public Transit, waste management, clean water, open spaces, energy, LEED buildings and more.
• Historic Architecture. We will point out and discuss some of the diverse architecture in Portland from historic antiques, post-modern examples and updated, modern gems.
Other Highlights:
MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY
History: Mercantile Library Association was started on January 12, 1864, with subscriptions by Portland’s merchant elite. On March 10, 1902, the library became a tax-supported free public library; open to all residents of Portland.
Governor Hotel Built in 1909, the glazed terracotta building’s moAtif features a blending of art nouveau and Native American designs and is on the national registry of historic places. The architect, William C. Knighton, went on to become the first Oregon State Architect in 1912, and later designed the Oregon State Supreme Court Building. Point out “Robots”.
Food Carts: 431 registered food carts in Multnomah County, 33 pending applications (as of Jan 2011). These “Pods” are located all over Portland. Speaks to Portland’s love affair with food and to the entrepreneurial spirit.
PEARL DISTRICT AND POWELL’S BOOKS
History of the Pearl District: In the mid 1990’s galleries began to pop up in the area (especially along 13th ave) though mostly unbeknownst to the general public. A locally gallery owner and columnist suggested that the artists and their works were like pearls in the encrusted shells of the warehouses.
U.S. Bank: (A.E. Doyle) One of the fancier buildings in Portland. The magnificent design and attention to detail was essentially a marketing/branding campaign to instill faith in its customers by embodying “A soaring power of finance in a wealthy civilization”.
PIONEER COURTHOUSE SQUARE
History: The square is named after the Pioneer Courthouse, an 1875 federal building occupying the block directly east of the square. The square itself dates back to 1856, when the city purchased land which included the site as the location for Central School. The school was moved in 1883 when plans were made for a major hotel on the site in response to the arrival of the Northern Pacific Railway. After delays due to a recession, the eight-story Portland Hotel was completed on the site in 1890.
Weather Vane: The Weather Machine, a 33-foot tall metal column topped with a large silver-colored orb, was installed in August 1988. At noon each day, the following day’s weather is announced with a fanfare of trumpets, flashing lights, and a spray of mist. Light bulbs on the side of the machine are reminiscent of a mercury thermometer and light up progressively as the temperature increases.
The orb opens to reveal one of the following:
o Helia:a golden leaf sun, for a clear day;
o Blue Heron: to forecast a drizzly, misty, or overcast day;
o Dragon: an open-mouthed copper dragon, when storms are forecast.
Big Belly Solar Compactor: The world’s first integrated system that uses renewable power and information technology to dramatically lower the operating costs, fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with the waste collection process by 80%. Trash is compacted using solar electricity and sensors tell management facility when it is time to be emptied.
DIRECTORS PARK
History: The site was once a surface parking lot. It was donated to the city by visionary philanthropist Tom Moyer along with $1 million toward construction of a park. Moyer’s and Schnitzer’s magnanimous gifts, in partnership with the Foundation and the City of Portland, have created a new gathering place.
Portland Sewer Overhaul: Almost every time it rains, Portland’s combined sewers overflow into the Willamette River. Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) carry raw sewage that pollutes water and threatens our quality of life.
Bull Run Water Shed: Bull Run is 102 sq mile restricted area located 26 miles east of Portland between Mt. Hood and the Gorge. With an average of 130 inches of rain each year it acts as the primary source for municipal drinking water.
Portlandia: 35ft copper hammered statue, second largest (Statue of Liberty is #1). Sculpted by Raymond Kaskey in 1985 specifically for the Portland Building. Image used from the City of Portland’s city seal.
City Hall: 1895 Renaissance Revival. Structure has one of the state’s first steel frames, elevators and forced air heat. Garden in front represents Portland’s contribution to the urban farming movement with the “Food not Lawns” campaign.
Electric Car Charging Station: America’s first electric car dealership, Ecogeek located in Portland Oregon. Oregon became the first state to develop standards for a statewide infrastructure of electric-car plug-in stations in terms of performance, safety, and voltage.
Mills End Park: Smallest park in the world. Dedicated in 1946 by Dick Fagan who tended to the small plot of dirt and wrote about it in his Oregon Journal Column.
Other Green rankings for Portland [http://www.sustainlane.com/us-city-rankings/cities/Portland]
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For more details about the itinerary contact us at 1-800-637-3110
Group Rates: Group rates for 6 or more people available for most tours.
Customized and Private Tours: All tours can be customized and/or made private. Please contact us for details and pricing.
Tour Price Includes: tour guide and all applicable fees, unless otherwise stated. Lunch and Gratuity NOT included.
Requirements: Tours require 4 person minimum for confirmation. Please contact us for current status of tour.
Payment: On-line reservations can be made using a credit or debit card. Payment will be processed immediately to secure your reservation. Payment on day of pick up will not guarantee your reservation.
