Learning from Portland, Maine

[Metro Jacksonville]

Learning from Portland, Maine



Portland is the largest city in Maine and the home of the largest tonnage port in New England and the largest oil port on the U.S. East Coast.  Despite living in the shadows of the Northeast's major cities, Portland is a breath of fresh air when it comes to embracing the concepts of walkability.

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http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/850

[oreo0579]

More information would be needed to get a better idea of what Jacksonville could learn from Portland. How big is the city of Portland compared to Jax? What is the population per square mile for each? How big is their "downtown" area? How does it compare to Jax? How many people work in their "downtown" area compared to Jax?

[downtownparks]

I cant speak for Portland, but it seems a lot like Bangor, and what we can learn from Bangor is how to save and reuse historic structures, how to group development, and how to make downtown walkable. Bangor has a fairly densely populated center, and while its far from perfect, its ahead of Jax's downtown.

[thelakelander]

While more information would not hurt, what makes a place walkable is not that complicated.  In fact, when we focus on the smaller things like easy identifiable signs notifying drivers of pedestrian crosswalks, bike lanes, wayfaring signage, well designed public spaces and codes that allow zero setbacks and diverse architecture, it doesn't matter if the city is as large as New York City or as small as Savannah.  Imo, those smaller things are the areas Jacksonville should pay a lot more attention too.  Really we don't even have to go to Portland to identify many of these topics.  Good and bad examples can be found right here in the various neighborhoods of the First Coast.

[oreo0579]

"easy identifiable signs notifying drivers of pedestrian crosswalks"

These signs are not specific to Portland. It is a state law in Maine.

[thelakelander]

A pedestrian crosswalk at an intersection in Nocatee

They are definately not specific to Portland or Maine, they are all over in many places, excluding here of course.  Its not against the law in Florida to have easy identifiable signs notifying drivers of pedestrians.  This means, if desired, Jacksonville could improve in this area to enhance pedestrian safety, the livability of the urban core and encourage residents to use alternative forms of transit (walking...depending on where you're at and cycling, etc.).

[Ocklawaha]

Let's not forget that the Maine DOT went to war... and I do mean a WAR! With Gilford Transportation to get the passenger service restored to Portland... Next stop Bangor. They also started coastal service on a regional railroad Maine Coast, that has become extremely popular in the summer season. They built a Transportation Center, complete with all facilities for Amtrak, locomotives, cars, switching etc... no two track deal in Maine. These guys lost the old Portland Union Station back in the 1960's and don't appear EVER to want to go back to those mistakes. Now they have corridor trains in one of the fastest growth markets on Amtrak. Maine showed the way for states left high and dry, out of the system, going from zero to (a bunch) as soon as the ink dryed on the court decision.



Very progressive DOT, and y'all "know" how I love to praise Yankees!

OCKLAWAHA

[Ocklawaha]

Here's a shot of the advanced thinking of wrecking balls... this thing was long ago blown to bits. Bravo that Portland stepped up to the plate and rebuilt as best they could. Wonder if we'll ever see this scale again?



Not only was the original beautiful, from an operations standpoint, as a railroader, it was a mini-grand central or Jacksonville Terminal. An amazing micro terminal of maybe 8 tracks, express, mail, baggage, restaurant, gift shops, offices, even resident switchers to cut Canadian cars in and out of the consists for various parts of Downeast and New England. I have seen an air view that looks for all the world like an HO Scale model of Jacksonville, but scaled to fit someones tiny train room...the feel of grand...without the grand.

I'm still looking for a second station that was there too, I believe it belonged to the Grand Trunk Railroad. If I find it I'll post it too.

Meanwhile a final view of PORTLAND UNION TERMINAL.



Wasn't urban renewal beautiful?

OCKLAWAHA

[Matt]

Looks great...but a little dead. What day of the week/time were these shots taken? Anyway, I'm jealous of their old port district...

[thelakelander]

A Friday morning around 7am.  I didn't snap shots, but the Old Port area was pretty crowded the night before when all the bars, restaurants and shops were open.

[spuwho]

I cant speak for Portland, but it seems a lot like Bangor, and what we can learn from Bangor is how to save and reuse historic structures, how to group development, and how to make downtown walkable. Bangor has a fairly densely populated center, and while its far from perfect, its ahead of Jax's downtown.

I am in downtown Bangor enjoying a great dinner tonight. They have done a good job keeping their urban core intact.  Yes, lots of old empty buildings, many dating to pre WWI, but they arent being torn down en masse fortunately.

The mall district outside of town is looking pretty tired, but I liked the vibrancy they are building in the core. Its not large, but it is walkable.

If I was around longer I would do more research and take more pictures of what they have done.

I was in Portland, but too brief to gather any feedback. But I like what Bangor has going.