On-call support that deepens engagement
Project story by Brandy Steffen
JLA works at the side of government to help adapt to challenges and foster continued connections with the public. This year, clients have called on us to supplement broader engagement efforts, reach specific audiences, and address challenges.
Here are some examples of ways we’ve been helping teams to lean in.
Cully Transit Terminus Facilitation
TriMet was considering the terminus location for the newest FX line along 82nd Avenue. They came to the process with curiosity, to understand what the community wanted and what would work best for them. JLA was asked to lead a committee of organization representatives and community members through conversations that weighed the different impacts of a new terminus in the neighborhood. The group was able to raise concerns and hopes for the future of the area, which influenced the design of the bus route and terminus.
JLA worked on this project in collaboration with TriMet, Nelson Nygaard, and community organizations who participated on the committee.
“Members of the TriMet Cully Terminus work group expressed their support and appreciation for a process that meaningfully engaged the community. Their comments highlighted how the outcome truly reflects the community's voices, priorities, and considerations. We have great appreciation and admiration for the consultant team's work on this project."
—Jesse Stemmler, Senior Transit Designer, TriMet
Focused Engagement for Transit Lanes
After years of collaborative engagement for the 82nd Avenue Civic Corridor project, TriMet asked JLA to help connect with businesses and residents along the corridor as they considered Business Access Transit (BAT) lanes for the new FX line. Specifically, JLA supplemented TriMet’s larger engagement efforts through coordinated outreach with community organizations, including recruiting and facilitating focus groups in Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Ukrainian and Russian. The engagement documented key concerns and priorities from community members. The effort helped TriMet better understand the perspectives of transit-reliant populations and business owners along 82nd Avenue, and informed decision-making for transit improvements.
JLA worked on this project in collaboration with TriMet. Project partners included the Slavic Community Center and Division Midway Alliance.
Skatepark Event Planning and Video Support
As Portland Parks & Recreation works toward a final design for the future Steel Bridge Skatepark and Plaza, JLA is providing task-specific support to help make the program inclusive, responsive and successful. For the first large-scale public event, JLA provided focused outreach with the disability community, youth, and rollers, as well as reaching out to neighbors in the project area. JLA coordinated a raffle for the community gathering, reaching out to the diverse local business community to purchase prizes. Many businesses also provided in-kind donations as a result of the outreach. A project video put our new drone to work, and shows the context of the future skatepark and surrounding areas.
JLA worked on this project in collaboration with Portland Parks & Recreation and DAO Architecture.
May the crunchy grind be with you! Check out the Steel Bridge Skatepark video »
