UrbDeZine San Francisco

Urban Planning + Design + Architecture + Historic Preservation

5 Things that make Portland Work…

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  1. Portland with Mt. Hood in Background
    Portland with Mt. Hood in Background

    Free Public Transit in downtown – With lots of reasonably dense suburbs surrounding the CBD, having free transit through the center encourages commuters to stay out of their cars when they have short trips thereby reducing the need for parking and reducing congestion.

  2. An urban growth boundary – The city has defined growth areas where new neighborhoods can be built.   Leapfrog development is not allowed.  Most of the land in the Williamette Valley is fertile farm land and would be wasted on LA style suburbs.   The boundary encourages redevelopment and infill development and minimizes the need for  roads, utilities and city services.
  3. Bike Lanes – Portland is way ahead of most warm weather cities in installing and maintaining a functional bike lane network that actually gets people to where they need to go and educates drivers that bikes have equal rights to the paved way.
  4. Mt. Hood – The snow capped dormant volcano watches over the city and reminds people of the permanence and enduring power of nature.  It gives the city strength and meaning.
  5. Food and drink – With more restaurants per capita than San Francisco, this city provides.  An innovative brewing culture and some amazing vineyards close by ensure that you won’t go thirsty either.   The Archery Summit Pinots are unparalleled.
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About Paul McNeil

Paul has over 20 years of experience in the fields of municipal planning, redevelopment project management and community relations. While working as a Project Manager at Centre City Development Corporation, he successfully implemented the Corporation’s affordable housing program and was responsible for 3 loft conversions. In this capacity, he convened working groups to prepare policy documents that are still in use today. As an Associate Planner for the City of San Diego, he was intimately involved with the regulated side of the planning and land use entitlement process for projects that included mixed-use residential, commercial, industrial and sand and gravel extraction facilities.

Paul’s experience lends itself well to the energy business by drawing upon the entire planning process; from project conception through permitting. He successfully directed development and entitlements for the historic Maryland Hotel, now known as The Ivy/Andaz. Paul also served as Director of Development for the Olson Company, where he was responsible for design and development of over 600 multi-family, infill condominiums.

More recently, Paul served as Policy Director for District 2 Councilman, Kevin Faulconer. He was responsible for all land use, transportation, housing and redevelopment issues affecting the district. His primary focus was on downtown. He maintains good relations with City Hall. Past positions there include Committee Consultant for the Land Use and Housing Committee and Assistant to the Mayor for Land Use and Transportation under Mayor Golding.

Paul has been an active member and has held leadership positions in numerous civic and charitable organizations. He served as Vice Chair of the Centre City Advisory Committee as a delegate of the Downtown San Diego Partnership, Past President of People for Trees, a not-for-profit, all-volunteer tree planting group, Board member of the local ULI Chapter, Board member of the Point Loma Association and past president of UCSD Alumni Association, San Diego Chapter. He currently sits on the Solana Beach Clean and Green Citizens Committee, is a Board Member of C3 and is a founding member of the SDSU Community Sustainability Lab where he coordinates a planning consultancy with graduate students.

Paul holds 2 Bachelor of Arts degrees in Economics and Urban Studies and Planning from the University of California at San Diego and a Masters Degree in City Planning from San Diego State University.

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