(Remember to click on the thumbnails to enlarge the pictures.  My sister commented on my website that it was nice but the pictures were too small!)

    In order to get from anywhere south of Oregon to points north such as Washington, it is necessary to cross the Willamette River and the Columbia River.  In 1966 a bridge was constructed that allows traffic to cross from west Portland to east Portland across the Willamette.  That bridge ( Marquam Bridge) has been a dividing line between a very developed area north of the bridge and a very undeveloped area south of the bridge.

   North of the bridge is the Tom McCall waterfront area that has all sorts of development: riverside restaurants, marinas, hotels, condos, shops, and a large area set aside for monthly events such as Cinco de Mayo where it becomes a circus with all of the kiddie rides, etc.  There was even a bungee jumping ride from a high lift device.  However, one day a fellow was training a new operator on how to hook up a person and shove him or her over the side, when he did it forgetting to connect his bungee to the lift.  He fell to his death.

              

              

              

      And at times we are visited by cruise ships.

              

    Eventually the sun sets and it is time for a dinner on the river with its views.

           

    Finally a trip around town in the horse drawn carriage.

  

     So on the north side of the Marquam bridge it is totally developed into a Newport Beach kind of pleasurable environment.  But the south side of the bridge has been a deserted and abandoned large piece of property that was used by boat builders and other marine users since the beginning of Portland.  Ironic that a piece of waterfront property extending 1/2 mile would be ignored for so long.  But the change has started.  It is unbelievable to be here in Portland and see this developing before my eyes!  Here are some pictures taken in 2006.       

           

    The above pictures are of a development just to the north side of the Marquam bridge.  When driving over the bridge southbound you are looking right into the units.  On the south side of the bridge the first development was a new facility for OHSU (Oregon Health and Sciences University). http://www.ohsu.edu/   The most intriguing thing is that a tram was constructed linking the new facility on the waterfront to the main campus high up on a hill above.   The cost estimate for the aerial tram was $15 Million but the actual costs ran up to $56 Million last time I heard.   Pictures of the tram at the waterfront: 

             Pictures of the trams coming up at the main campus:

          

 The last remaining barge builder and soon to be gone:

    I was fortunate enough to schedule a Doctor's appointment in the new OHSU building and take some pictures from that viewpoint.

            

The Penthouse on the first building to be completed sold for $4.5 Million before construction started:

        These pictures were taken in November 2007.  As soon as one building is on its way, another is started.  Eventually there will be 12 high rise buildings in this area and a greenway connecting to the north waterfront.

        Here is a picture taken from across the street from Old John's house.  The new construction really changes the view that we had.  Where are all of the people coming from and how are we going to handle them? 

      

    One of the nice improvements is the extension of the Portland Streetcar:  Portland Streetcar  For $.85 cents I can ride from a mile from my house to all over Portland in an air-conditioned transporter.  Eventually this transportation will run all the way down to Lake Oswego with a stop two blocks from my house.

                

     The tracks are already laid and are in use by an ancient Trolley that runs in the summertime.  The tracks were originally used by a steam locomotive connecting Portland and sawmills in the Lake Oswego area many years ago.  Now the tracks run literally right through the backyards of million dollar waterfront homes..     

                             

    As mentioned earlier, the area from under the Marquam Bridge south all the way to the Old Spaghetti Factory was originally an old boat building area that became deserted essentially.  It did provide a space for the Circque De Solie when it came to town.  But when the development is completed, the Old Factory will be a host to an entirely new crowd who can just walk there or take the short streetcar ride. 

              

     

Update 3-12-2010:

    In today's "fish wrapper"  it looks like the demise of the new waterfront development has come full circle.  The developers have lost their equity to the lenders (large insurance companies) and now someone can buy a quality condo for about 1/4th the cost a year ago.  When the going was good about 2 years ago, people were buying the condos before the foundations were laid.  One person from California wanted to buy 2 units and have Judy manage them as rental for her.  That has all changed now.  As I said as quoted several years ago in this site " where are all of the people going to come from?"  This is the article published today:    And this is a panorama picture I took two weeks ago showing the development as it looks from the hill behind my house.    None of the buildings in the picture were there 5 years ago!  I was correct about the Old Spagetti Factory!  The place was built in the right place at the right time and now they have the premium spot for a built-in clientel!

   This is all a part of the "Moving Old John" episode which includes all new developments in my general area, mainly in my "backyard".   See:  Old John

    Thanks for looking!

 

    Also visit my main webpage:  http://www.bannerbob.net/