PlacesPages: Portland Places: South Waterfront & Aerial Tram

I originally posted the PORTLAND PLACES: South Waterfront & Aerial Tram page on my old website on May 21, 2008, and last updated it on October 10, 2008.

Portland's South Waterfront is one of Portland's newest and fastest-growing neighborhoods. With a series of high-rise buildings, and connections to the Portland Aerial Tram, the Portland Streetcar and the Willamette Shore Trolley (which may become a streetcar extension to Lake Oswego), the area is well connected and modern. Here is a look at the South Waterfront as it looked in the summer of 2007.

Portland Streetcar at the South Waterfront on August 19, 2007

Portland's South Waterfront is served by the Portland Streetcar's Lowell Extension, which opened on August 17, 2007.

Portland Streetcar at the South Waterfront on August 19, 2007

Here is Portland Streetcar #004 on SW Moody Street on the Lowell Extension.

Willamette Shore Trolley at Bancroft Street on August 31, 2008

The Willamette Shore Trolley's north terminus, the Bancroft Street Station, is in the South Waterfront at SW Bancroft Street & Moody Avenue, just one block from the Portland Streetcar line.

William Johnson Cabin Monument on August 19, 2007

This monument marks the site of Portland's first cabin, built in 1842 by William Johnson, a sailor on Old Ironsides in the War of 1812. It was erected by U.S. Daughters of 1812.

William Johnson Cabin Monument on August 19, 2007

This entire block of green space is scheduled to become the South Waterfront Neighborhood Park by 2009. In its undeveloped state, the Portland Development Commission allowed the informal public use of the space. The developed park will be managed by Portland Parks & Recreation.

South Waterfront Buildings on August 19, 2007

These are some of the new buildings on the South Waterfront. Most of them are condominiums.

South Waterfront Buildings on August 19, 2007

The two towers on the left are the Meriwether. The John Ross Tower is on the right. The other tall building is Atwater Place.

OHSU Center for Health & Healing on August 19, 2007

This building is Oregon Health Science University's new Center for Health & Healing. The South Waterfront will also be the future home of OHSU's Schnitzer Campus. OHSU's expansion into the South Waterfront was the driving factor behind the construction of the Portland Aerial Tram.

Portland Aerial Tram

The main reason for this page is to show off the view from the new Portland Aerial Tram.

The Portland Aerial Tram opened in 2007. At its typical speed of 22 miles per hour, It takes about three minutes to travel 3,300 feet from the South Waterfront to the 9th Floor of OHSU's Peter O. Kohler Pavilion on Marquam Hill, 500 feet higher. The tram cars have a capacity of 78 passengers plus an operator. They are designed to look like bubbles floating in the sky. The cars are named Walt and Jean, after Walt Reynolds, OHSU's first African-American graduate and Jean Richardson, Oregon's first female engineering graduate from Oregon State University. Both graduated in 1949. Walt is the north car and Jean is the south car. The Upper Terminal is named Chameffu, meaning "on the mountain" and the Lower Terminal is named Chamanchal, for "on the water." Both names are from the Tualatin Indian language.

Portland Aerial Tram on July 13, 2007

These pictures show the Portland Aerial Tram from along the Springwater Trail on the other side of the Willamette River.

Portland Aerial Tram on July 13, 2007

This is just about the only place on land to photograph the entire tram in a single photograph.

Lower Terminal of the Portland Aerial Tram on August 19, 2007

Here is Portland Aerial Tram car Jean coming in to the Lower Terminal.

Lower Terminal of the Portland Aerial Tram on August 19, 2007

The last picture shows passengers boarding the Jean car for the trip up to Marquam Hill.

Lower Terminal of the Portland Aerial Tram on August 19, 2007

Here is Portland Aerial Tram car Walt boarding and then departing from the Lower Terminal.

Lower Terminal of the Portland Aerial Tram on August 19, 2007

Portland Aerial Tram Car Walt on August 19, 2007

Portland Aerial Tram Tower on August 19, 2007

The tram cars have to gain elevation quickly as they leave the lower terminal, but then make a more gradual climb the rest of the way. This tower is where the tram cars make the transition. After passing this tower, the tram cars tend to sway noticeably back and forth, which is a little disconcerting for some passengers.

South Waterfront from Portland Aerial Tram on August 19, 2007

Aboard the tram, just after making the transition at the tower, the tram crosses over Interstate 5, and offers a look back at the new construction on Portland's South Waterfront.

Interstate 5 from Portland Aerial Tram on August 19, 2007

View from the Portland Aerial Tram on August 19, 2007

As the tram makes its trip, it offers a continually changing view of downtown Portland's skyline.

Portland Skyline from Portland Aerial Tram on August 19, 2007

Wells Fargo Center and KOIN Center are prominent in these views.

KOIN Center from Portland Aerial Tram on August 19, 2007

View from the Portland Aerial Tram on August 19, 2007

This view of Portland from the Aerial Tram shows the Hawthorne Bridge, Morrison Bridge and Burnside Bridge over the Willamette River. In the background are the Oregon Convention Center, Steel Bridge, and the Rose Garden and part of the Veterans Memorial Coliseum at the Rose Quarter.

Fremont Bridge from Portland Aerial Tram on August 19, 2007

Here is a view looking over northwest Portland from the Portland Aerial Tram with the Fremont Bridge in the background.

Marquam Bridge from Portland Aerial Tram on August 19, 2007

Here are a series of views of the Marquam Bridge from the Portland Aerial Tram.

Marquam Bridge from Portland Aerial Tram on August 19, 2007

Marquam Bridge Portland Aerial Tram on August 19, 2007

Ross Island Bridge from Portland Aerial Tram on August 19, 2007

Here is a view of the Ross Island Bridge from the Portland Aerial Tram.

Portland Aerial Tram Car Walt on August 19, 2007

A somewhat exciting moment occurs halfway through the journey, as the two Portland Aerial Tram cars approach and pass each other.

Portland Aerial Tram Car Walt on August 19, 2007

These pictures were taken aboard Jean as Walt approaches and passes.

Upper Terminal of the Portland Aerial Tram on August 19, 2007

Casey Eye Institute Building on August 19, 2007

OHSU Skywalk from Portland Aerial Tram on August 19, 2007

As the Portland Aerial Tram approached the upper terminal, some interesting views of OHSU's Marquam Hill Campus are available, including these of the Casey Eye Institute Building and the long pedestrian skywalk.

View from Marquam Hill on August 19, 2007

The observation deck at the Upper Terminal offers some incredible views of Portland, unobstructed by windows.

View from Marquam Hill on August 19, 2007

Willamette River Bridges from Marquam Hill on August 19, 2007

This view of Portland shows the Hawthorne Bridge, Morrison Bridge & Burnside Bridge across the Willamette River with the Oregon Convention Center in the background.

Portland Skyline from Marquam Hill on August 19, 2007

The view of downtown Portland's skyline from the Upper Terminal is somewhat interrupted by trees, but the tallest buildings like Wells Fargo Center and KOIN Center are still visible.

South Waterfront from Marquam Hill on August 19, 2007

Portland Aerial Tram from Upper Terminal on August 19, 2007

These views from the Upper Terminal show the new buildings and the South Terminal on the South Waterfront.

Marquam Bridge & OMSI from Marquam Hill on August 19, 2007

This unique view of the Marquam Bridge from the Upper Terminal shows the Interstate 5-Interstate 405/U.S. 26 interchange. In the background on the other side of the river is the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry with the USS Blueback submarine.

NCNM Building from Marquam Hill on August 19, 2007

This is a view from the Upper Terminal of the Administration Building-Ross Island Campus of the National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM), which is the oldest accredited naturopathic medical school in North America, having been founded in 1956. This building was originally constructed in 1912 as an elementary school and was named Failing School after former Portland Mayor Josiah Failing, replacing an earlier Failing School that was built in 1883. Failing School closed in 1959, and was subsequently used for vocational programs which became Portland Community College in 1961. The building was renovated in 1964 and was sold to PCC in 1971. The building was acquired by the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1996. The school was renamed the National College of Natural Medicine in 2006.

Portland Aerial Tram Car Jean on August 19, 2007

These pictures show Portland Aerial Tram car Jean leaving the Upper Terminal and continuing down to pass the other tram car, Walt.

Portland Aerial Tram Car Jean on August 19, 2007

Portland Aerial Tram Cars Passing on August 19, 2007

Portland Aerial Tram Car Walt on August 19, 2007

Here is Portland Aerial Tram car Walt approaching the Upper Terminal.

Portland Aerial Tram Car Walt on August 19, 2007

Note that the passengers inside can be seen through the tinted windows if the car is close enough.

Portland Aerial Tram Car Walt on August 19, 2007

Portland Aerial Tram Car Mechanism on August 19, 2007

Here is a closeup view of the mechanism of a Portland Aerial Tram car that rides on the cables.

Upper Terminal of the Portland Aerial Tram on August 19, 2007

Here is a closeup view of the cable mechanism at the Upper Terminal of the Portland Aerial Tram.

This concludes the original content of my PORTLAND PLACES: South Waterfront & Aerial Tram page. To see additional blog entries about Portland, click on the Portland label.

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Portland Places: South Waterfront & Aerial Tram

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