As mayor of Portland, Oregon, Sam Adams led numerous initiatives to improve the city’s sustainability and cultural projects. Also a dedicated supporter of the Portland arts scene, Sam Adams cultivated an early appreciation for the arts through participation in classes at the Yaquina Art Association (YAA) in Newport, Oregon. The founding of YAA was nothing short of unlikely due to the time and place in which it came to be. In Oregon in 1947, not many people living on the coast showed any enthusiasm for the arts because the majority of their focus was on the fishing and logging trades. However, Newport was also home to a group of individuals who would convene in local homes to talk about their love for art. This group soon established the YAA, hoping to teach more members of the community about the arts. Nearly a decade after its founding, the organization obtained a building in the Nye Beach Area. This facility, which has served as a classroom, artist haven, and more, still serves as the YAA’s art gallery and gift shop today. It is here that the association hosts its various art classes, which welcome those of all skill levels and artistic inclinations.
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With a long career in politics including terms as a city councilmember and mayor, Sam Adams has helped shape Portland, Oregon, over the years. During his time as Portland’s mayor, Sam Adams incorporated sustainable development practices into city planning, including expanding existing bicycling paths.
Municipalities interested in promoting increased use of bicycles to reduce carbon emissions have several options for funding new or upgraded bicycle paths. For instance, some cities assess a System Development Charge (SDC), which is a one-time fee assessed to residents to offset the costs of bicycle path construction or renovation. A recent study found that almost half of cities surveyed had used a transportation-related SDC to fund a project. The cost for homeowners ranged from $300 to $6,665. Another option for funding bicycling improvements might be through a Local Improvement Districts (LID) process, which relies on property owners around the improved area to help fund the project. Urban Renewal Area (URA) financing is another option for funding transportation improvements in an under-developed area. In the case of URAs, existing property tax revenue is reallocated to improvements within the specific urban area. During his time as Portland’s mayor, Sam Adams advanced on his agenda to make improve the quality of public education, increase the sustainability of the community, and make the city more equitable and inclusive. One of the accomplishments of Sam Adam’s mayoral term was the partnership he established with General Electric (GE) Company executives to complete research on how to cost-effectively upgrade older city buildings with modern energy-saving technology.
The partnership agreement included the establishment of five "EcoDistrict" research pilot projects, meaning a specific municipal area that could independently manage its own energy, water, and waste, systems in an environmentally conscious and sustainable way. GE used its collaboration with Portland to inform its future sustainable development deals in other U.S. cities. As more and more cities become interested in using sustainable development practices, this research project helps support these municipal efforts to reduce carbon emissions and energy costs. GE foresees continued public-private analytical partnerships leading to expanded access to green energy eco-district features such as plug-in electric vehicle stations, advanced energy-monitoring systems for buildings, solar, geotheram, and other projects that drive innovation in sustainability, said Kevin Decker, GE's public-private partnerships coordinator. |
Sam Adams of Portland
Sam Adams has cofounded several charitable organizations dedicated to solving problems related to sustainability and education. Archives
August 2018
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