Shiels Obletz Johnsen’s Post

Exciting news from Multnomah County Library—Holgate Library reopens this July! After a major expansion, the library now spans 21,000 square feet—triple its original size. Improvements include flexible meeting spaces, updated technology, inspiring art, an outdoor plaza, and more -- all designed with input from the community. Join Multnomah County Library and us in celebrating this milestone with three days of festivities starting July 13th, featuring cultural performances, family fun, and plenty of community spirit! https://lnkd.in/gKd769Nf

The Willamette Falls Trust is committed to restoring public access to Willamette Falls—a bold vision that SOJ is thrilled to be supporting. Learn more directly from the Trust’s new president, former Oregon Governor Kate Brown, in the thoughtful article linked below. https://lnkd.in/gAa_dyyt

Please join us in welcoming our newest Senior Project Manager, Han-Mei Chiang, AIA, NOMA!   With over 20 years of experience in construction project management and a background in architecture, Han-Mei is adept at guiding projects from concept to completion. Han-Mei holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the University of Oregon and is recognized as a LEED Accredited Professional. She actively serves on the boards of the National Organization of Minority Architects Portland Chapter (NOMA PDX) and Pioneer Courthouse Square. Her attention to detail, coupled with her commitment to diversity and inclusion, makes her a valuable asset to our team. Welcome, Han-Mei! Han-Mei will serve as Project Manager for the Elliott Bay Connections project, as well as several local renovation projects. 

We are excited to share two opportunities taking place this month for the public to learn more about the Elliott Bay Connections Project and provide input: 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 November 1 – November 30, 2023 https://lnkd.in/gBAPdx9U 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗳𝗳 Wednesday, November 15, 2023, from 6 – 7 PM Register here: https://lnkd.in/gRSgqmNj The virtual presentation on November 15 will provide the community with a chance to hear from the project team and guide the early development of the waterfront parks! After the presentation, the project team will be available to answer questions. 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝘁𝘁 𝗕𝗮𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 Elliott Bay Connections (EBC) is a new public–private partnership to connect, restore and revitalize public parks along the Elliott Bay waterfront from Pier 62 (the northern end of Waterfront Park) to the beach just south of Smith Cove. The project, expected to be complete by June 2026, is funded entirely by private philanthropic donations. Elliott Bay Connections will: • Create a new pedestrian and bicycle greenway connecting the new Waterfront Park at Pier 62 to the Olympic Sculpture Park at Pier 70. • Restore and revitalize visitor amenities at Myrtle Edwards Park and Centennial Park, including restrooms, picnic tables and seating. • Refresh landscapes at Myrtle Edwards and Centennial parks with new lawns, plantings, and tree canopy. • Add new play areas for children and families. • Restore public fishing at Pier 86 and improve direct public access to the water.

We’re thrilled to share that the De La Salle North Catholic High School Renovation & Addition project has won Restore Oregon’s DeMuro Award, which recognizes excellence in preservation, reuse, and community revitalization. The St. Charles Church site, originally built in 1950, was repurposed, renovated, and expanded to serve a vibrant and diverse high school community. Students now have access to modern learning spaces including flexible classrooms, a visual arts center, a maker’s space, and state-of-the-art science laboratories. Congratulations to the entire project team, including Bora Architecture & Interiors, P&C Construction, and SOJ’s own Francesca Gambetti and Amy Copeland, AIA, who provided project management services for this important project!   Discover more about the stunning transformation here: https://lnkd.in/gHdBy693

Multnomah County has broken ground on a stunning addition to their library system that centers equity, inclusion and sustainability! The new East County Library will feature extensive and diverse collections, dynamic indoor and outdoor spaces for learning and gathering, and improved technology resources. We’re thrilled to be supporting this project with partners Holst and Fortis Construction, Inc.. Completion is scheduled in fall 2025.