Planning for Light Rail

Should the City encourage a new type of development in Forest Grove to support better transit service? The idea of building a new type of neighborhood north of the McMenamin’s Grand Lodge is gaining interest. Think Orenco Station. Could an Orenco-style project be successful in Forest Grove? Would you like to live in this type of neighborhood?

On Monday, February 7, at 7:00 PM the Planning Commission will hear about what is needed to encourage a mixture of houses, stores and jobs that could help make light rail to Forest Grove a reality. The meeting will be held in the Community Auditorium at 1915 Main Street.

The Oregon Department of Transportation awarded the Forest Grove Community Development Department a grant to look at the concept of a transit supportive neighborhood. The idea is to support better transit service to reduce the growth in congestion on the Oregon Highway 8 corridor between Forest Grove and Hillsboro. It would provide different way for citizens in western Washington County to move around the region. Also, it would provide a different style of neighborhood in the community.

The project is being done in partnership with the planning firm of Parametrix, property owners, Pacific University, Tuality Hospital, neighboring cities, ODOT and Metro. Interested members of the community are invited to attend the work session. Planning staff will be available prior to the Planning Commission meeting to answer questions about the project and to hear your ideas. Please contact Dan Riordan, Senior Planner at (503) 992-3226 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   for more information or to add your name to the project mailing list.