Commercial

Meyer Memorial Trust’s New Headquarters Embodying Organizational Values of Sustainability and Equity

When Meyer Memorial Trust decided to build a new headquarters, the Oregon foundation wanted to create a space that represented its values.

“Meyer’s mission centers on equity, sustainability and justice,” said Phoebe O’Leary, director of business systems and operations at Meyer. “We see our new headquarters as the embodiment of our mission.”

And by choosing to relocate to the Albina neighborhood (the historic heart of Portland’s Black community), Meyer sought to be closer to many of the organizations it supports—and to create “a space for healing, welcoming and reflecting on the history of the area, but also really looking forward to the future,“ said Anyeley Hallová, partner at the real estate developer project^. To that end, Hallová and project^ assembled a diverse leadership team that was committed to Meyer’s vision and worked to make it a reality.

Meyer’s new headquarters also features an eGauge energymetering system, which displays the building’s energy use and solar electric production in real time via a display in the lobby. Taking a wholistic approach to water management, the project also included infiltrating all stormwater on-site, installing low-flow plumbing fixtures and reducing outdoor water use with native plants and efficient irrigation systems. For efficiency and indoor air quality, the building utilizes a variable refrigerant flow system coupled with a dedicated outside air unit with MERV 13 filtration.

Sustainability is further embedded at the material level. Specifically, 85% of the timber used for the building met the definition of “sustainable wood,” with 49% certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, encouraging climate-smart forestry.

Commercial

Portland Community College Opportunity Center

Since 1998, the Portland Community College (PCC) Opportunity Center at 42nd Avenue has worked to support a diverse job-ready workforce by providing customized training, career exploration and educational opportunities. Having previously operated out of an old, retrofitted Safeway grocery store with very limited windows and daylight, the staff and clients were eager to move into a new building.

The new Opportunity Center will now offer their workforce development programs alongside affordable housing, childcare and a health clinic to help position their clients for careers that offer greater economic mobility. The two-story facility is situated between the Cully and Concordia neighborhoods in Northeast Portland. It is an example of how sustainability can be applied to not only the structural components of a building, but also the mental, emotional and physical success of its residents.

Multifamily

Sylvia Sanchez, Portland, Oregon

Sylvia Sanchez, a condo owner in Portland, faced a range of challenges upon moving into her new condo, such as hot days, cold nights and overall discomfort. Through an energy audit with Energy Trust, she discovered that her condo lacked proper insulation among other issues. With new, high-performance floor insulation and a ductless heat pump (DHP) she installed using cash incentives, she’s increased her comfort level and lowered her utility bills.

Multifamily

Slater Buildings, La Grande, Oregon

After facing high heating costs, the owner of the 130-year-old Slater Building in La Grande, Oregon, upgraded to energy-efficient tankless water heaters. These new heaters cut down on energy use in this mixed-use apartment building and provide residents with more consistent water temperatures, helping them save on annual energy bills. 

Commercial

Vancouver Innovation Center, Vancouver, Washington

After acquiring the 179-acre Vancouver Innovation Center, New BluePrint Partners LLC and Rabina have focused on increasing efficiency across the property. Collaborating with Energy Trust and NW Natural, the development team launched a multi-phase project to upgrade HVAC system controls, resulting in over $150,000 in annual energy savings. 

Multifamily

The Springs at Clackamas Woods, Milwaukie, Oregon

The Springs at Clackamas Woods, a senior living community, upgraded 47 HVAC units to state-of-the-art, energy-efficient packaged terminal heat pumps. These new systems not only ensure a consistently comfortable environment for residents but also deliver significant savings, reducing energy costs by over $11,700 annually. Thanks to Energy Trust cash incentives, the investment in these heat pumps is expected to pay for itself in under three years through utility savings alone.