Or vary, vary, weary. I like seeing "large" with a vision. There must already be a metaphor mixing service on the campus.

For all we talk about government being inefficient around here, it should be no surprise that PPS is considering a more efficient way of arranging that massive slab of land than the current suburban schoolhouse. The campus has one corner at the Salmon street MAX stop, and after all, it IS a downtown location. Having a public (privately operated and open to the public) coffee shop or something (maybe Boyd's could move in so students wouldn't have to skip 10 min out of school for caffeine) could provide revenue for PPS and provide an additional amenity for the locals.

Just as MLC's block mixes retail, housing, school and a public park, the Lincoln site can make a huge contribution to improving that neighborhood. I say this as a relatively recent graduate and resident of the neighborhood.

And as a faithful Portland sheep.

It's the condos, stupid.

Sweet, namecalling. I can't actually appreciate an idea in my own right. Disagree with Jack and I'm labeled a barnyard animal.

I could care less whether some anonymous commenter agrees with me or not. In your case, there is not one single, solitary stupid idea that comes out of Portland city government that you don't automatically love. That's what makes you a sheep.

That and the fact that you're posting from a sleazebag architectural firm that will profit greatly from the next highrise abomination that's erected where once there was simply a fine high school.

Unless, of course, that Lincoln parent, or parent of a prospective Lincoln student, is one and the same Arlington Club member who stands to profit.

Think of it...They have that athletic field. Do you know how many cars they can park under that?

Gazillions, probably.

If there's one thing that isn't going to happen there, it's parking for cars. This is Portland.

I would bet that if the people who will profit here have school-age children (a big if), they're not in any Portland public school, even Lincoln.

parents and community members are in the initial stages of re-imagining the downtown campus as a mixed-use hub of city services and possibly other offerings

i'm dubious about the fact that "parents and community members" spontaneously got together to "re-imagine the downtown campus."

who's driving it, I wonder?

Come on, who do you think? The condo weasels, of course.

Our public parks are for sale, now our public schools are joining the sell-off. Nothing is sacred in Portland.

Whatever happened to the plan to dispose of the grossly under-utilized warehouse on N. Mason Street? Now that would be an appropriate disvestment, provided they didn't carry it out in the usual fashion.

Why would parents want their kids to go to school in a "mixed -use" facility? Wouldn't this create more distraction and provide an environment in which strangers of all kinds would have easier access to their kids?

And condo owners griping about noise from any event...

I'm sure that what the real estate weasels would like is something like that stupid Safeway up the street with the condo tower on top. And I'm sure the construction and development scams are already being worked out for just such a building. Do you think the school board is smart enough and strong enough to say no? I don't.

Sure, Lincoln needs new facilities, but it doesn't need freakin' condos. Sadly, in Portland nowadays, nothing gets done without a sellout. Nothing.

Given Lincoln's new notoriety as a drug haven, maybe they could throw a drug treatment facility in, to cut down on wasteful fossil fuel use shuttling the problem kids to and fro.

Oh, and it will be greeeeeeeeeeen! And sustaaaaaaaaaaaainable! Certified! With a streetcar, of course.

Look for the Randy Gragg come-on in the Portland Monthly, coming soon to a doctor's office near you.

Having a public (privately operated and open to the public) coffee shop or something (maybe Boyd's could move in so students wouldn't have to skip 10 min out of school for caffeine)

WHAT? Suck some water from the fountain in the hall and get to class...talk about spoiled...

Why would parents want their kids to go to school in a "mixed -use" facility? Wouldn't this create more distraction and provide an environment in which strangers of all kinds would have easier access to their kids?

You have a good point there...

"WHAT? Suck some water from the fountain in the hall and get to class...talk about spoiled..."

Careful there Jon, you don't know when the last time they cleaned that fountain. Didn't you read about the kid who did a science project to test water quality in his school? Took samples from a variety of places, including the fountain and the toilet. Guess which was better water quality? Yep, the one they cleaned regularly.

And to think that they are banning bottled water in schools, since many kids are bringing vodka in those water bootles. Whats a kid to do?

Harry

I'm down with keeping developers from raping Portland of it's tax dollars. But a more dense Lincoln High-School isn't necessarily a bad thing.

At some point Jack, you have to realize that things won't stay the same forever.

Change can be good.

things won't stay the same forever.

I never said they would, or should. The physical plant of Lincoln High should be improved. It does NOT NEED A CONDO TOWER.

Got it?

Since condos seem to be part of the hidden agenda in this "mixed use" scheme; I wonder if the "bright lights" making this decision happen with little public scrutiny realize the market is getting soft for these units right now. According to my sources in the building trades, the SoWa tower units are not selling as well as predicted.

the SoWa tower units are not selling as well as predicted.

What? I thought "They sold out in one day!" Whatever happened to "People are dying to pay $400 a square foot to live in an apartment building in Portland, Oregon!"

Bwa to the ha to the ha ha ha.

Sadly, though, as those inflated values come tumbling down, so will the inflated projections of property tax revenues that backed the dopey bonds that financed the thing. Bonds that the taxpayers of Portland will no doubt get to cover.

The municipal bankruptcy is on its way...

Considering that enrollment in the Portland Public Schools system has been plunging for years, why does Lincoln need 14 new classrooms?

PPS's enrollment study says that in 2015, high school enrollment will drop by about 3000 children, or 20% (called the "medium growth" scenario), from the 2005 level. From 2005 to 2015, Lincoln's enrollment is projected to be flat. Wilson and Cleveland will lose almost 1300 students between now and 2015 and between them could handle any overcrowding at Lincoln -- in fact they could by 2015 accommodate all of Lincoln High School.

Enrollment study: http://www.pps.k12.or.us/depts/communications/reconfig/conversations/Enrollment_data/PPS_Enrollment_Forecast_Report_2005g.pdf

If Lincoln is really that crowded, PPS could go reopen its most modern high school, which is Jackson.

Isaac, that's quaint. You are forgetting the needs of Hoffman Construction Co. and Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects, which as you know trump all others.

"Isaac, that's quaint. You are forgetting the needs of Hoffman Construction Co. and Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects, which as you know trump all others."

Of course, we have to keep Portland's creative class employed. They're the way of the future, you know.

is lincoln on the east side where ghetto kids go to schools with rapists and druggers?

otherwise, there is no use on lincoln on the west side....we can all afford to go to private schools and sell condos to bobo....