About the Forum

The Architecture Foundation of Oregon (AFO) and the independent PDXplore design collective share a purpose to advance awareness of design and its role in the urban planning process. To help the public better understand the magnitude of the Columbia River Crossing (CRC) project, AFO and PDXplore have partnered to present Crossing the Columbia: What Does It Mean?, a multi-faceted forum at Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA).

The forum will draw attention to the current status of the CRC, increase citizens' recognition of the project's scope and impact, and inspire broad discussion about its potential for excellence. This volunteer effort by AFO and PDXplore does not endeavor to be a comprehensive examination or critique of the CRC project.

Currently estimated to cost between $2.6 and $3.6 billion, the CRC will cross the most powerful river in the western United States, creating a new bridge that will include light rail, pedestrian and bicycle routes, and a five mile transportation corridor along I-5. The forum will provide the community an opportunity to consider and discuss this urban infrastructure project of local and national relevance, the results of which will impact our region for decades.

We hope to broaden this discussion with a wide-reaching audience in the Portland-Vancouver region including: elected officials, community leaders, neighborhood associations, special interest groups, the architecture and design community, students and educators, and interested individuals.