NPAC Community Workshop #3 Booklet - ENGLISH

I. Executive Summary

On October 19, 2022, the Portland City Council approved the contract for the team of ELS Architecture and Urban Design/ BCA Architecture (ELS/BCA) for the North Portland Aquatic Center (NPAC) Phase I for Site Selection, Programming, Schematic Design and Land Use Permitting. Collaborating with Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) staff, the design team has facilitated and supported two community workshops, engaged in a robust community engagement and site selection process, developed community meeting materials, created test-fit diagrams for five sites, and refined concept designs for three selected sites.

Community Engagement

Community engagement supports the North Portland Aquatic Center project phases and decision milestones. Based on the enormous level of community interest in the new aquatic center, community concern regarding existing indoor aquatic facilities in North Portland, historical exclusion of people of color in public pools, and the large number of North Portland households where Spanish is the first language, we are striving for the highest level of engagement: collaboration. Collaboration means we will look to community members for direct advice and insights in supporting site selection criteria, framing the desired programming, supporting the development of schematic design alternatives, and incorporating their recommendations into the decisions to the maximum extent possible.

The PP&R community engagement process recognizes the inherent value of community members’ expertise and diversity of lived experiences; insights, neighborhood values, beliefs, and preferences; and identification of critical constraints and opportunities. Collaborating with the community will be indispensable in siting and creating an indoor aquatic center where everyone feels a strong sense of belonging and ownership, regardless of background, abilities, and lifestyle. Specific strategies and tools focus on inclusion and equity, ensuring that Parks will consult and collaborate with historically excluded and underserved communities.

ELS/BCA, including community engagement partners, JW Woolley and Associates and Stanton Global Communications, have supported the PP&R community Engagement team, to gather input from focus groups of select community members who provide input to a larger Project Advisory Committee. The Focus Group meetings and Project Advisory Committee meetings are intended to help PP&R and the design team to understand and design to the needs of underserved segments of the North Portland community while gathering information that reflects potential users’ diversity of interests. To date, the design team and PP&R staff have assembled and met with Focus Groups representing youth and competitive swimming, indigenous and BIPOC community, LGTBQIA+, seniors, and low-income immigrants and refugees. These Focus Group meetings have provided valuable feedback from these groups about their site and programmatic preferences for the proposed NPAC

facility. The top three sites preferred by the Focus Groups and the Project Advisory Committee were: University Park, Northgate Park, and Columbia Park, consistent with the final three selected sites.

Community Workshops

Based on selection criteria developed by the design team and PP&R staff, a comprehensive list of PP&R managed sites was narrowed to five for the first community workshop for community review and discussion. Following that first workshop in early December 2022, NPAC test-fit diagrams were then developed for each of the five sites using a preliminary program developed by the design team with input from PP&R. These diagrams included options for both a 25-meter and a 50-meter lap pool for each site.

On January 24, 2023, Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) held the second, in a series of five, Community Workshop events for the NPAC project. At the event, community members were invited to participate in small group discussions, at round tables of 8-10 people, about where the future state-of-the-art aquatic facility could be built, and what the amenities and programming could look like. Conversations about the sizing of the future facility were rooted in the EQUITY, ACCESS, and IMPACT criteria that has been developed, with community input, since the launch of the project in Spring 2022. Community Workshop #2 materials were posted online as a basis for gathering input from community members through an online hosted community survey. Both workshops were lively, well-attended events that generated a significant amount of community interest, and the online community survey received a record number of responses.

I. Executive Summary (continued)

Concept Designs

After Community Workshop No. 2, the design team and PP&R staff have been developing and refining NPAC concept designs for the three selected sites in preparation for Community Workshop No. 3. This process has included multiple design iterations of design concepts for each of the three sites. Each iteration responds to comments generated in meetings and review by various City staff divisions within PP&R, including PP&R Professional Repair and Maintenance Services, PBOT Police and Security, PP&R Equity and Inclusion team, PP&R Aquatics & Recreation, among others. Our process also included multiple site visits by the ELS/BCA Team, and one with Project Advisory Committee members to each of the three selected sites. Each of the three sites present individual challenges and opportunities. One common theme on each of the sites is the challenge of creating a face or front door for the building on the direct street frontage while still making the “park” side of the future facility also feel approachable and having a public face on the park. A project goal for all three sites is to create a facility that feels safe, welcome, and inclusive. The design team’s early design concepts explore program organization ideas such as placement of administrative elements in relation to the pools and entrance; the relationship of the leisure pool to the lap and the necessary circulation patterns surrounding each pool. Design discussions regarding the exterior of the future aquatic facility centered on security needs for high visibility inside and outside the facility and the difficulty of maintaining and replacing broken or damaged glass. Design discussions with PP&R staff identified a desire to reduce

the amount of glazing while maintaining transparency, natural light, and visibility; a goal of 50% glazed exterior wall area to 50% nonglazed exterior wall area was stipulated. The aquatic facility design concepts also address site concerns and constraints such as tree impacts, driveway locations between trees, site slopes (especially at Northgate), entry sequences, parking impacts and adjacent, existing sports fields.

Alongside these efforts, the design team has been updated technical information such as traffic and parking analysis, land use planning timelines and options, site selection criteria and updated demographic data, program comparisons, site analysis, arborist report, and concept level construction costs.

NPAC Concept Designs for Columbia Park, Northgate Park, and University Park

The following narratives provide a brief introduction of the NPAC Concept Design for each of the three sites. All three concepts contain the same basic program elements for ease of comparison. These include Fun Water (Recreation Pool or Leisure Pool), Fast Water (Lap pool), administrative offices, main public reception desk, all user restrooms, all user changing rooms and locker rooms (for both Fun and Fast Water), multi-purpose rooms (for parties and other functions), and storage and mechanical spaces for pools and building systems. The Fun Water and the Fast Water pools are separated by a glass wall in each concept so that they can be operated independently as well as they each have unique air environments based on the temperature of the individual

pool body. An additional “program isolated” multi-purpose room has been included in each concept as an added community enhancement to provide a place for local community groups and organizations to use for exhibits and events. The site design for each site is designed with universal design access and includes an entry plaza with an interactive splash pad and roughly 55 parking spaces for each site. Each building is sited to preserve as much of the existing tree canopy as possible, and special care has been taken to avoid disturbing existing heritage trees. There is a separate generous maintenance and service access for each site, along with dedicated parking for PP&R staff maintenance vehicles to support daily pool maintenance.

Columbia Park

The most compact of the three designs, the proposed aquatic facility is sited in the location of the existing Columbia Pool along North Chautauqua Boulevard. The leisure pool and lap pool are organized side by side with a glass wall separating them. The Fast Water pool faces the park, and the Fun Water pool faces North Chautauqua Boulevard, providing openness and views to the park as well as the street. An entrance plaza and canopy extend to the sidewalk, inviting visitors to enter the NPAC. A separate service entrance to the north provides access for PP&R maintenance personnel along with a separate dedicated entrance for competition events.

Northgate Park

Oriented parallel to North Fessenden Street for visual presence and to preserve open space for the existing rugby field, the proposed aquatic facility is arranged with Fun water and Fast water pools end-to-end, in an offset configuration, with all user restrooms, all user changing rooms, locker rooms and support spaces for the Fun Water pool located on the north side of the facility. Dedicated all user changing rooms and locker rooms for the Fast Water pool are located on the south side to support competition events or team practices. This arrangement provides beneficial openings and visibility to the street and to Northgate Park. The main public parking entrance is accessed from North Geneva Avenue with pedestrian access from North Fessenden and direct access from the westbound TriMet #4 Frequent Service line bus stop to a large entry plaza with a splash pad. While there is an eightfoot change in elevation along the length of the building running east west on the Northgate site, careful siting and grading design allows us to maintain full ADA accessibility with a level entrance sequence and a level finished floor across the entire aquatic facility.

University Park

Like the concept for Northgate Park, the future aquatic facility concept is oriented along North Alaska Street with the main public entrance oriented toward the street frontage, which gives the streetscape visual presence and interest. All user restrooms, all user changing rooms, locker rooms and support spaces for the Fun Water pool are oriented to the south while all user restrooms, all user changing rooms locker rooms for the Fast Water pool are oriented to the north to provide visual access and presence to both the street and the park. An entry plaza, splash pad and walkway connect the new aquatic center to the existing Charles Jordan Community Center. Additional parking and a dedicated service and maintenance entrance are provided to the west of the building.

Part II

II. Site #1 – NPAC Concept at Columbia Park

One of the most beautiful parks in Portland, Columbia Park offers a remarkable combination of majestic urban forest and recreational open space for North Portlanders to enjoy. Bounded on the south by Lombard Street, Chautauqua Boulevard to the east, Winchell Street to the north, and Woolsey Avenue to the west, the park sits within a handsome residential area of single-family dwellings. While the park holds limited areas for potential development, an ideal place to build the NPAC is on the current site of the recently closed Columbia Pool. This site, together with some adjacent open space south of the existing Columbia Pool, has clear potential. Following the demolition of Columbia Pool, what will remain is an unobstructed and relatively flat area, which presents suitable conditions for new construction. The site is served by public transportation and is easily walkable from nearby residences. The potential addition of the North Portland Aquatic Center to Columbia Park leads to a range of new aquatics activities, facilitating a substantial increase in overall recreational programming. This addition would clearly be a net positive for what is already a beloved and beautiful resource.

By occupying the site of the former Columbia pool, the NPAC project would share frontage with Chautauqua Boulevard while nestling it among the large, mature trees that form the park’s eastern edge and its northern forested area. The trees help to screen the mass of the building and, for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians travelling north and south along Chautauqua, permit dappled views into the building’s lower portion. Viewers to the

west of the proposed NPAC would see that the building has a big presence on Columbia Park’s open recreation space, providing pool users with a strong visual connection to the park and views for park users into the NPAC. Immediately south, the NPAC connects to a welcome plaza and then to a parking area, with a great lawn beyond. The strong visual connection between park and NPAC is further reinforced by sunscreen-protected glazing along the south elevation. This deliberate transparency contributes to:

1) the building’s energy conservation, allowing it to rely more on daylight and less on artificial light, 2) a healthy interior environment through visual correspondence with the outdoors, and 3) a safer building and surrounding area through the application of CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) principles which reinforce building transparency, thus allowing easy monitoring of NPAC’s surroundings from within and outside the building.

The proposed architecture and massing for the Columbia Park site takes its cues from a combination of Portland’s modern architectural vernacular and from the basic functions of a community natatorium. The Fun and Fast water natatoria are combined under a simple, gabled structure with a shallow slope. Its single large volume results from the space left behind from the removal of the Columbia Pool structure. With development limited by thick forestry and the former Columbia Pool footprint, a more compact design has resulted. The shallow-sloping gabled-roof form is intended to maximize the benefits of PV and PVT arrays

that hover above vegetation atop the roof. Below the single roof form, the two natatoria are separated by a clear glazed curtain wall on the interior, which gives PP&R staff a line of sight for monitoring activity across both pools, from either side of the glass. Further, the two volumes’ interior spaces are tall enough to accommodate the deep, long-span roof structure and to maintain the code-required clearance between the top of deck and bottom of structure. In addition to the main building volume, sets of Fun Water locker rooms and Fast Water locker rooms are placed at the west side of the building near the reception area. At the entry plaza, the lower building volume and height lead to a more welcoming scale that is appropriate for the “big plaza welcome mat” concept and indeed to the entire arrival sequence, whether one is approaching from Chautauqua, from the proposed parking area, or from anywhere in the park.

The building’s plan is simple, straight forward, and universally accessible. By maintaining a single elevation throughout the building, the design eliminates the need for stairs, elevators, and lifts. The plan’s simplicity enables visitors to quickly comprehend the complex layers of amenities, programming, and services while establishing their surroundings as comfortable, welcoming, and inclusive. When a visitor enters the building from the front plaza area, they are immediately greeted by a daylit lobby and reception counter for check-in and/or directions. From there, one makes way to either the Fun Water natatorium or to the Fast Water

II. Site #1 – NPAC Concept at Columbia Park

natatorium. As a safety precaution, the design places the shallower Fun Water pool closest to the lobby reception area, while the deeper, Fast Water pool is farther from the lobby/reception area. These are consciously designed safety features that will facilitate the awareness of any NPAC staff and lifeguards who are present during pool operations.

Two Natatoria – Fun Water and Fast Water

The Fun Water natatorium boasts several aquatics features including zero-beach entry, water toys, lazy current, slides, lap lanes and whirlpool/hot tub. The pools are designed for all ages and abilities and will be kept in a temperature range of 82 to 85 degrees. In addition to the pool features, the shallow depths (0” to 5’ deep) allow for a significant range of aquatics programming for all ages and abilities – this is truly a pool for all. Additionally, the Fun Water natatorium will provide locker room suites for families and all users, in addition to fully outfitted locker rooms for men and women. Finally, and contiguous with the Fun Water deck area, two multipurpose rooms are designed to host kid parties, corporate events, community celebrations, and the like.

The Fast Water natatorium is proposed as a 25m x 25-yard competitive pool and will maintain a temperature range of 78 to 80 degrees. The pool is designed to host NCAA competitions and USA Swimming age-group meets through high school. It will also be possible to host USA Diving, 3-meter and 1-meter competitions, as well as USA Water Polo and Artistic Swimming events. The depths

of the Fast Water pool will range approximately from 7 feet to 14 feet to allow for these four popular aquatic sports. In addition to being host-ready for a range of aquatic sports, a 300-seat stadium-style rake is included at the natatorium’s eastern end. For big events, the Fast Water natatorium has a second dedicated entry to create easier and more direct access for family and friends of competitors to enjoy a day of competition. It is important to recognize that for two-thirds of the year the Fast Water natatorium will be used by a range of swimmers of all abilities and ages for personal training, fitness, and wellness, making it likely the center’s most popular big feature. Finally, Fast Water natatorium will provide locker room suites for families and all other users, in addition to fully outfitted locker room for men and women. The Fast Water natatorium will also provide dedicated space for competitive aquatic events, requiring the management of timing, scoreboard, and public address functions.

Deep Green Design

The NPAC’s design will meet or exceed the City of Portland Green Building Policy, ENB-9.01, and is aimed at achieving USGBC LEED Gold certification and incorporating onsite renewable energy. Furthermore, in keeping with the City of Portland’s Climate Action Plan, which aims to achieve net zero by 2030 for all new construction, the project is on track to be all electric, net zero carbon, and free of greenhouse gas emissions. We believe that the NPAC will be known as a model project in North America for the

green design of an aquatics facility, posing minimal impact to the planet and net benefits to the human body.

Easy and Ample Access for Service and Maintenance

On the north side of the NPAC, the design provides a dedicated service court and building access. For reasons of safety and security, the driveway entry and service will be lit well and will be level-in to allow the unobstructed delivery of heavy materials such as pool equipment or pool chemicals. Access, through large swinging or roll-up doors, has been designed to ensure that all work areas and service paths are clear of vehicle circulation. A special entry is designed at the north end of the Fast Water natatorium to allow access for either a boom or scissor lift. From here, the lift will have an unobstructed path of travel from one natatorium to the other and along the full perimeter of each pool, offering maintenance crews easy access to fixtures above.

COLUMBIA PARK AQUATIC FACILITY CONCEPT: AERIAL VIEW LOOKING NORTHEAST

COLUMBIA PARK AQUATIC FACILITY CONCEPT: VIEW LOOKING NORTHWEST FROM COLUMBIA PARK BALLFIELD TO PROPOSED AQUATIC FACILITY

COLUMBIA PARK AQUATIC FACILITY CONCEPT: ENTRY FROM CHATUAQUA BLVD.

COLUMBIA PARK AQUATIC FACILITY CONCEPT: VIEW LOOKING NORTH SHOWING ENTRY FROM PARKING LOT

II. Site #2 – NPAC Concept at Northgate Park

Located just southeast of The Cut, this community park boasts a number of recreational amenities such as play equipment and athletic fields (including a rugby pitch, which is rare for Portland). It offers a wide open, unobstructed, and relatively flat space, which is suitable for new construction, and the site is serviced by public transportation and easily walkable from nearby residences. The possible addition of North Portland Aquatic Center (NPAC) to the Northgate Park would create a range of new aquatics activities, which will facilitate a substantial increase in overall recreational programming. This addition would clearly be a net positive for what is already a beautiful North Portland resource.

The NPAC is proposed to front N. Fessenden Street, behind the strong row of trees that establishes the north edge of the park. The trees will serve to screen the mass of the building while, for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians as they travel east and west along N. Fessenden, permitting dappled views into the lower portion of the building. Immediately south of the proposed NPAC, the building has a grand presence in the park, providing a strong visual connection to the park for pool users, as well as views into the NPAC from the park. Running contiguous with the project’s east side is the Clarendon School, which is an important educational institution for the North Portland area. This deliberate transparency contributes to:

1) the building’s energy conservation, allowing it to rely more on daylight and less on artificial light, 2) a healthy interior environment through visual correspondence with the outdoors, and 3) a safer building and surrounding area through the application of CPTED

principles which reinforce building transparency, thus allowing easy monitoring of NPAC’s surroundings from within and outside the building.

The proposed architecture and massing for the Northgate Park site takes its cues from a combination of Portland’s modern architectural vernacular, and from the basic functions of a community natatorium. The building has two distinct volumes, one comprising the Fun Water natatorium and the other the Fast Water natatorium. Basic shed-like forms define each volume, with roof designs that maximize the benefits of PV and PVT arrays hovering atop vegetation at the roof. The two natatoria volumes “slip” past one another and are separated by a clear glazed curtain wall on the interior, which gives PP&R staff a line of sight for monitoring activity across both pools. The two volumes’ tall interior spaces accommodate a deep, long-span roof structure and maintain a code-required clearance between the top of deck and bottom of structure. In addition to the two main building volumes, a set of Fun Water locker rooms and facilities is placed on the north side of the building, along Fessenden, and an opposing set of Fast Water locker rooms is placed on the south side of the building along the rugby pitch. At the entry plaza, the lower building volume and height lead to a more welcoming scale that is appropriate for the “big plaza welcome mat” concept and to the entire arrival sequence.

lifts. The plan’s simplicity enables visitors to quickly comprehend the complex layers of amenities, programming, and services, while establishing their surroundings as comfortable, welcoming, and inclusive. When one enters the building from the front plaza area, they’re immediately greeted by a daylit lobby and reception counter for NPAC check-in and/or directions. From there, one makes their way to either the Fun Water natatorium or to the Fast Water natatorium. As a safety precaution, the design places the shallower Fun Water pool closest to the lobby reception area, while the deeper, Fast Water pool is farther from the lobby/reception area. These are consciously design safety features that will facilitate the awareness of any NPAC staff and lifeguards who are present during pool operations.

Two Natatoria – Fun Water and Fast Water

The building’s plan is simple, straightforward, and universally accessible. By maintaining a single elevation throughout the building, the design eliminates the need for stairs, elevators, and

The Fun Water natatorium boasts several aquatics features including zero-beach entry, water toys, lazy current, slides, lap lanes and whirlpool/hot tub. The pools are designed for all ages and abilities and will be kept in a temperature range of 82 to 85 degrees. In addition to the pool features, the shallow depths (0” to 5’ deep) allow for a significant range of aquatics programming for all ages and abilities – this is truly a pool for all. Additionally, the Fun Water natatorium will provide locker room suites for families and all users, in addition to fully outfitted locker rooms for men and women. Finally, and contiguous with the Fun Water deck area, two multipurpose rooms are designed to host kid parties, corporate events, community celebrations, and the like.

II. Site #2 – NPAC Concept at Northgate Park

The Fast Water natatorium is proposed as a 25m x 25-yard competitive pool and will maintain a temperature range of 78 to 80 degrees. The pool is designed to host NCAA competitions and USA Swimming age-group meets through high school. It will also be possible to host USA Diving, 3-meter and 1-meter competitions, as well as USA Water Polo and Artistic Swimming events. The depths of the Fast Water pool will range approximately from 7 feet to 14 feet to allow for these four popular aquatic sports. In addition to being host-ready for a range of aquatic sports, a 300-seat stadium-style rake is included at the natatorium’s eastern end. For big events, the Fast Water natatorium has a second dedicated entry to create easier and more direct access for family and friends of competitors to enjoy a day of competition. It is important to recognize that for two-thirds of the year the Fast Water natatorium will be used by a range of swimmers of all abilities and ages for personal training, fitness, and wellness, making it likely the center’s most popular big feature. Finally, Fast Water natatorium will provide locker room suites for families and all other users, in addition to fully outfitted locker room for men and women. The Fast Water natatorium will also provide dedicated space for competitive aquatic events, requiring the management of timing, scoreboard, and public address functions.

Deep Green Design

The NPAC’s design will meet or exceed the City of Portland Green Building Policy, ENB-9.01, and is aimed at achieving USGBC LEED Gold certification and incorporating onsite renewable energy.

Furthermore, in keeping with the City of Portland’s Climate Action Plan, which aims to achieve net zero by 2030 for all new construction, the project is on track to be all electric, net zero carbon, and free of greenhouse gas emissions. We believe that the NPAC will be known as a model project in North America for the green design of an aquatics facility, posing minimal impact to the planet and net benefits to the human body.

Easy and Ample Access for Service and Maintenance

On the north side of the NPAC, the design provides a dedicated service court and building access. For reasons of safety and security, the driveway entry and service will be well lit and will be level-in to allow for the unobstructed delivery of heavy materials such as pool equipment and chemicals. Access will be through large swinging or roll-up doors and has been designed to ensure that all work areas and service paths are clear of vehicle circulation. A special entry is designed at the northeast corner of the Fast Water natatorium to allow access for either a boom or a scissor lift. From here, the lift will have an unobstructed path of travel from one natatorium to the other and along the full perimeter of each pool, offering maintenance crews easy access to fixtures above.

NORTHGATE PARK AQUATIC FACILITY CONCEPT: AERIAL VIEW LOOKING NORTHEAST

NORTHGATE PARK AQUATIC FACILITY CONCEPT: VIEW LOOKING SOUTHEAST FROM N. FESSENDEN ST.

NORTHGATE PARK AQUATIC FACILITY CONCEPT: VIEW LOOKING NORTH FROM PARKING LOT

NORTHGATE PARK AQUATIC FACILITY CONCEPT: VIEW LOOKING SOUTHEAST FROM TRIMET BUS STOP ON N. FESSENDEN ST.

PARK AQUATIC FACILITY CONCEPT: VIEW OF FUN WATER NATATORIUM LOOKING SOUTH TOWARDS INTERIOR OF NORTHGATE PARK

II. Site #3 – NPAC Concept at University Park

Located immediately adjacent to the Charles Jordan Community Center, Rosa Parks Elementary School, the Regence Boys and Girls Club, various churches, and the New Columbia residences, the site at University Park can provide easy access to a wonderful new community wellness resource. Like Northgate, University Park boasts a big open green space that is unobstructed relatively flat, which is suitable for new construction. The site is served by public transportation and is easily walkable from nearby residences. The potential addition of the NPAC to the University Park leads to a range of new aquatics activities, facilitating a substantial increase in overall recreational programming. This addition would clearly be a net positive for what is currently an underutilized park resource.

The NPAC is proposed to front N. Alaska Street, behind the strong row of trees that create the north edge of the park. The trees serve to screen the mass of the building and, for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians travelling east and west along N. Alaska, permit dappled views into the lower portion of the building. Immediately south of the proposed NPAC, the building has a big presence in the park, providing a strong visual connection to the park for pool users and offering views into the building from the park and Alaska. This deliberate transparency contributes to: 1) the building’s energy conservation, allowing it to rely more on daylight and less on artificial light, 2) a healthy interior environment through visual correspondence with the outdoors, and 3) a safer building and surrounding area through the application of CPTED principles which reinforce building transparency, thus allowing easy monitoring of

NPAC’s surroundings from within and outside the building.

The proposed architecture and massing for the University Park site takes its cues from a combination of the lantern and its symbology as well as the modern architectural vernacular of the Pacific Northwest and the basic functions of a community natatorium. The building is composed of “lanterns” of varying sizes, with the two largest volumes holding the Fun Water pool and the Fast Water pool.

At their most basic level, lanterns provide little more than light. Yet, as others have written, light, given the proper context, “helps lead the way forward towards the future, pushing aside the surrounding darkness. A long path before us is useless without the light from the lantern to show us the way.”

The lantern-like forms define the two major program components, glowing throughout the evening hours to create a safe street and park presence, while providing a soft light to the interior during the day. Like the plan proposed at Northgate, the two “lantern”inspired natatoria “slip” past one another and are separated by a clear glazed curtain wall on the interior, which gives PP&R staff a clear line of sight for monitoring activity across both pools. Further, the two volumes are tall, interior spaces, which accommodates the deep long span roof structure and helps to maintain the coderequired clearance between the top of deck and bottom of structure. In addition to the two main building volumes, a set of Fun Water locker rooms and facilities is placed on the south side of the

building along University Park, and an opposing set of Fast Water locker rooms is placed on the north side of the building along N. Alaska. At the entry plaza, the lower building volume and height lead to a more welcoming scale that is appropriate to the “big plaza welcome mat” and indeed to the entire arrival sequence. This scale also reinforces the connection with the NPAC’s “recreation partner,” the Charles Jordan Community Center.

The building’s plan is simple, straightforward, and universally accessible. By maintaining a single elevation throughout the building, the design eliminates the need for stairs, elevators, and lifts. The plan’s simplicity enables visitors to quickly comprehend the complex layers of amenities, programming, and services, while establishing their surroundings as comfortable, welcoming, and inclusive. When one enters the building from the front plaza area, they’re immediately greeted by a daylit lobby and reception counter for NPAC check-in and/or directions. From there, one either makes way to either the Fun Water natatorium or to the Fast Water natatorium. As a safety precaution, the design places the shallower Fun Water pool closest to the lobby reception area, while the deeper, Fast Water pool is farther from the lobby/reception area. These are consciously designed safety features that will facilitate the awareness of any NPAC staff and lifeguards who are present during pool operations.

Two Natatoria – Fun Water and Fast Water

The Fun Water natatorium boasts several aquatics features including zero-beach entry, water toys, lazy current, slides, lap

II. Site #3 – NPAC Concept at University Park

lanes and whirlpool/hot tub. The pools are designed for all ages and abilities and will be kept in a temperature range of 82 to 85 degrees. In addition to the pool features, the shallow depths (0” to 5’ deep) allows for a significant range of aquatics programming for all ages and abilities – this is truly a pool for all. Additionally, the Fun Water natatorium will provide locker room suites for families and all users, in addition to fully outfitted locker rooms from men and women. Finally, and contiguous with the Fun Water deck area, two multipurpose rooms are designed to host kid parties, corporate events, community celebrations, and the like.

The Fast Water natatorium is proposed as a 25m x 25-yard competitive pool and will maintain a temperature range of 78 to 80 degrees. The pool is designed to host NCAA competitions and USA Swimming age-group meets through high school. It will also be possible to host USA Diving, 3-meter and 1-meter competitions, as well as USA Water Polo and Artistic Swimming events. The depths of the Fast Water pool will range approximately from 7 feet to 14 feet to allow for these four popular aquatic sports. In addition to being host-ready for a range of aquatic sports, a 300-seat stadium-style rake is included at the natatorium’s eastern end. For big events, the Fast Water natatorium has a second dedicated entry to create easier and more direct access for family and friends of competitors to enjoy a day of competition. It is important to recognize that for two-thirds of the year the Fast Water natatorium will be used by a range of swimmers of all abilities and ages for personal training, fitness, and wellness, making it likely the center’s most popular big

feature. Finally, Fast Water natatorium will provide locker room suites for families and all other users, in addition to fully outfitted locker room for men and women. The Fast Water natatorium will also provide dedicated space for competitive aquatic events, requiring the management of timing, scoreboard, and public address functions.

Deep Green Design

The NPAC’s design will meet or exceed the City of Portland Green Building Policy, ENB-9.01, and is aimed at achieving USGBC LEED Gold certification and incorporating onsite renewable energy. Furthermore, in keeping with the City of Portland’s Climate Action Plan, which aims to achieve net zero by 2030 for all new construction, the project is on track to be all electric, net zero carbon, and free of greenhouse gas emissions. We believe that the NPAC will be known as a model project in North America for the green design of an aquatics facility, posing minimal impact to the planet and net benefits to the human body.

Easy and Ample Access for Service and Maintenance

On the north side of the NPAC, the design provides a dedicated service court and building access. For reasons of safety and security, the driveway entry and service will be well lit and will be level-in to allow for the unobstructed delivery of heavy materials such as pool equipment and chemicals. Access will be through large swinging or roll-up doors and has been designed to ensure that all work areas and service paths are clear of vehicle circulation. A special entry is designed at the northeast corner of the Fast Water natatorium

to allow access for either a boom or a scissor lift. From here, the lift will have an unobstructed path of travel from one natatorium to the other and along the full perimeter of each pool, offering maintenance crews easy access to fixtures above.

UNIVERSITY PARK AQUATIC FACILITY CONCEPT: AERIAL VIEW LOOKING SOUTHEAST

UNIVERSITY PARK AQUATIC FACILITY CONCEPT: VIEW LOOKING SOUTHEAST FROM N. ALASKA ST. ACROSS SPLASH PAD

UNIVERSITY PARK AQUATIC FACILITY CONCEPT: VIEW LOOKING NORTH TO FACILITY

UNIVERSITY PARK AQUATIC FACILITY CONCEPT: VIEW LOOKING SOUTH FROM N. ALASKA ST.

UNIVERSITY PARK AQUATIC FACILITY CONCEPT: LAP POOL LOOKING SOUTH TOWARDS UNIVERSITY PARK

III. Site Selection Criteria

Our approach to the site selection for the new North Portland Aquatic Center is to utilize the most authentic and best technical understanding of the context of North Portland with a focus on equity in partnership with the community through the engagement process.

The design team first developed an inventory of all sites in public ownership in North Portland, including sites managed by PP&R, City of Portland, Metro, and TriMet, as well as considered sites that could be in partnership with other entities such as Portland Public Schools.

In collaboration with PP&R, the design team determined a list of prequalification criteria based on minimum requirements, and ultimately selected the following candidate sites for the North Portland Aquatic Center: Columbia Park, Columbia Annex, University Park/Charles Jordan Community Center, Northgate Park, and St. Johns Park.

Prequalification Criteria to Determine the Prequalified Candidate Sites

1. Site is managed by Portland Parks and Recreation. Per direction from PP&R, it was determined that the site needs to be managed by PP&R to avoid adding the time and expense of acquiring a non-PP&R-owned site to the overall schedule and cost of the Aquatic Center.

2. Site is not restricted for development.

(Note: Initially, Pier Park was selected as a candidate site, but previously secured federal grants limit development of indoor recreational buildings.1)

3. Site has at least 2 acres of available land for the new facility without major clearing of existing tree canopy.

4. Site has acceptable street, transit, bicycle, and walking access.

5. Site is within 3 miles of residences at the end of the North Portland Peninsula to meet the Portland Parks & Recreation service equity goal.

The prequalified candidate sites were presented to the community at the Community Workshop #1 on December 10, 2022, the Project Advisory Committee (PAC), focus affinity groups, and on the PP&R North Portland Aquatic Center project website, along with a list of suggested potential site selection criteria developed by the design team and PP&R staff. Portland Parks recognizes, understands, and encourages celebration of the differences that surround us. Diversity and equity are vital to Portland Parks & Recreation’s ideals and values. The suggested site selection criteria development was based on PP&R’s mission of equity and PP&R’s community outreach through resident interviews and online surveys which determined that the following criteria were the most important to the community: walking, biking, and public transit access, (particularly by those residents that have been historically underserved), proximity to a Portland

Public school, and minimizing impact on existing site amenities and surrounding neighborhood.

Community Workshop #1 - Potential Site Selection Criteria

Equity

• Number of households within 3 miles of the Aquatic Center

– current and future

• Amount of affordable housing near the Aquatic Center –current and future

• Number of residents living near the Aquatic Center who are:

• Youth

• People of color

• People living with poverty

• Seniors

• People living with disabilities

• Immigrants and Refugees

Access

• Walking and Biking Access

• Public Transit Access

• Vehicular Access

• Near to Schools and other Community Resources

Potential Site Impacts

• Loss of tree canopy

• Change in recreational amenities

• Loss of open space

• Increased traffic in neighborhood

• Increased demand for parking in neighborhood

III. Site Selection Criteria (continued)

Through conversations and written feedback in the community workshop series, the Project Advisory Committee (PAC), focus affinity groups, and an online survey, the community provided feedback on the site selection criteria that is most important to consider, as well as suggested additional criteria such as the consideration of air quality due to the railroad diesel engines and how the aquatic center might be transformative to the surrounding community and site.

In the Community Workshop #2, the Project Advisory Committee (PAC), focus affinity groups, and in another online survey, the community was asked to provide feedback about how each of the prequalified candidate sites “scorecard” according to each of the site selection criteria. Based on this evaluation, each community member’s top (3) sites were identified. Site selection criteria was presented by the design team for this evaluation in the form of equity data showing demographics of North Portland, site context maps, and building and parking site “test fits”. Based on the community feedback and technical evaluation by the design team, PP&R staff and leadership supported the collaborative community-based selection of the (3) candidate sites to move forward for further evaluation. In March 2023, Commissioner Dan Ryan supported the community recommendations and directed PP&R staff and the design team to further explore:

• Columbia Park

• Northgate Park

• University Park

In the Community Workshop #3, the Project Advisory Committee (PAC), focus affinity groups, and an additional online survey, the community will be asked to evaluate all the site selection criteria presented in the Community Workshops #1 and #2, ongoing site selection criteria input from the community, technical evaluation by the design team, and concept site/building designs for the (3) candidate sites, to provide feedback on their preferred final site.

In narrowing down the list to three prospective locations for the new aquatic center, the project advisory committee members, focus group participants, and community members who engaged in PP&R’s series of community workshop events identified three priority criteria:

1. The center should be easily accessible, including for people who walk, wheel, or use public transportation.

2. The center should be close to other community resources, such as public schools, affordable housing, and community organizations which work with vulnerable populations and Portlanders earning low incomes.

3. The center should have minimal impact on the surrounding neighborhood and environment. That means keeping existing park amenities and trees, ensuring the area can safely accommodate pedestrian, bicycle, and car traffic, and offer available parking.

We will present additional equity site selection criteria data in Community Workshop #3, on the PP&R North Portland Aquatic

Center project website, the PAC, and focus affinity groups showing the location and number of affordable housing units in North Portland along with a PP&R statement on the Gentrification and Displacement describing the intent to work with community partners to increase the supply of long-term affordable housing in North Portland to reduce potential harm caused to the surrounding neighborhood by the development of the aquatic center (refer to Figure 1, Affordable Housing map and statement). While we were not able to gather data on future projected affordable housing units, we plan to present data showing the Portland Comprehensive Plan increased zoning density along most of the North Lombard corridor to commercial mixed use with denser housing, including affordable housing.

We will also present to the community additional equity demographic data showing the number of residents who identify in each of the racial groups counted by the census living within 3 miles and ½ mile of each of the candidate sites (Refer attached equity data charts.) This was in response to a request made by some the focus group participants, particularly because of the high statistics of Black drowning deaths and the Tongan Pacific Islander community in the neighborhood around Northgate Park rugby field.

The design team also will present additional access site selection criteria data on site analysis opportunities and constraints maps and design plans for each of the candidate sites showing walking and biking routes around and within each park, public transit routes and stop locations, vehicular access routes, and nearby schools and other community resources.

III. Site Selection Criteria (continued)

Additional potential site impact site selection criteria will also be presented to the community on the site analysis opportunities and constraints maps and the design plans for each of the candidate sites showing the impact of the aquatic center development, including the loss of tree canopy, change in recreational amenities, loss of open space, and more specific numerical data from the traffic engineer showing the relative impact of increased traffic and demand for parking in the surrounding neighborhoods. Other technical data collected by the design team such as existing underground and overhead utilities that may need to be relocated and relative geotechnical information impacting the cost and feasibility of the development of each site will also be presented to the community.

To assist in the community in understanding and processing all the site selection criteria to make an informed decision of the preferred final site for the aquatic center, the design team is developing a “scorecard” and online survey similar to that of Community Workshop #2, with the addition of a summary of all the site selection criteria data discussed above for reference. The design team is also developing questions for the community to be included on the ‘scorecard’ and online survey to understand how each of the candidate site and building designs feels like an added amenity to each of the parks and makes the community feel welcome, safe, inclusive, and provide a sense of ownership.

1 Pier Park was removed from consideration as a candidate site for the NPAC project. Pier Park has received two Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grants (LWCF #41-00423 and LWCF #41-01560). With any LWCF grant, if any part of the property is altered to a use other than public outdoor recreation, a conversion will be triggered and the only way to resolve a conversion is by acquiring replacement property of equal or greater fair market value and of equal or greater recreational utility directly adjacent to the existing park boundary. As we are targeting a footprint of development of potentially 2 to 3 acres in size, our options for acquisition of 2 to 3 acres of land adjacent to Pier Park and conversion to open space for park use would be extremely limited if not impossible. This would have presented a schedule delay to acquire land, additional costs for land acquisition, and additionally, a schedule delay and additional costs to coordinate with the federal government on a conversion process to unhinge LWCF grant requirements on a Pier Park development area. For these reasons, Pier Park was removed from consideration as a candidate site.

III. Site Selection Criteria (continued)

Figure 1: Showing the location of the three candidate NPAC sites as they relate to affordable housing in Portland.

III. Site Selection Criteria (continued)

Figure 1: Showing the location of the three candidate NPAC sites as they relate to affordable housing in Portland.

Figure 1: Showing the location of the three candidate NPAC sites as they relate to affordable housing in Portland.

NORTHGATE PARK

UNIVERSITY PARK CHARLES JORDAN COMMUNITY CENTER

COLUMBIA PARK

III. Site Selection Criteria (continued)

Figure 1: Showing the location of the three candidate NPAC sites as they relate to affordable housing in Portland.

III. Site Selection Criteria (continued)

Figure 1: Showing the location of the three candidate NPAC sites as they relate to affordable housing in Portland.