Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1535337
V O L . X X X I N O. X I I § 2 J U N E 2 , 2 0 2 5 36 T he Front Street redevelopment project in Portland is a transformative effort by Portland Housing Authority and Portland Housing Development Corp. to replace outdated housing with a modern, sustainable and commu- nity-focused neighborhood. Originally built in 1971 as temporary hous- ing, Front Street was constructed on a former city dump to accommodate families displaced during the city's Urban Renewal era. Over the decades, the prefabricated structures remained in contin- uous use despite their intended short lifespan. By the time redevelopment efforts began, the buildings were in poor condition and the site was classified as a brownfield, requiring significant environmental remediation. Zachau Construction served as the construction manager, overseeing a multi-phase project that included five new low-rise residential buildings spread across two blocks in the desirable East Deering neighbor- hood, adjacent to Payson Park. e design, created by Utile, seamlessly integrates the new development into the surrounding commu- nity, featuring improved pedestrian connectivity and open spaces that enhance neighborhood cohesion. A central east-west pedestrian corridor links the two blocks, with a new community center and residen- tial support spaces serving as key anchors. A critical component of the redevelopment was ensuring that existing residents — many of whom had lived in the original units for years — could remain in their neighborhood. e new buildings prioritize family-oriented housing, offering a substantial num- ber of three-, four- and five-bedroom apartments. is is particularly significant given the scarcity of affordable housing in Portland that can accommo- date large households. Sustainability played a major role in the rede- velopment. In addition to extensive environmental remediation efforts to clean up the brownfield site, all buildings were designed to meet Passive House standards, emphasizing energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and overall sustainability. e high-performance buildings feature contin- uous ventilation, minimal air infiltration and well- insulated thermal envelopes, reducing heating energy consumption by approximately 80% compared to standard code-built structures. DEVELOPER: Portland Housing Authority, Portland Housing Development Corp. GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Zachau Construction ARCHITECTURAL TEAM: Utile ENGINEERING TEAM: Thornton Tomasetti (structural), Peterson Engineering (mechanical, electrical, plumbing ) LANDSCAPE: Carroll Associates Landscape Architects PORTLAND P H O T O S / C O U R T E S Y O F R A N DY C R A N D O N Front Street redevelopment MEREDA 2024 NOTABLE PROJECTS