Portland State University continues to orient its campus to transit

Take note Norfolk State University and University of Maryland. See "Rail system grows as new lines crop up: The first commuter rail in Oregon and another MAX line open within 11/2 years," from the Portland Oregonian. From the article:

The lines under construction could transform surrounding neighborhoods. For Portland State University, the transit mall extension will open in the section of downtown where the university plans to focus its growth.

"It's just a monumental event for Portland State," said Lindsay Desrochers, PSU's vice president for finance and administration. "It's harder and harder to bring cars downtown. We really don't want that many cars downtown." ...

The university is building a new recreation center at Southwest Fifth and Harrison, between the new MAX tracks. PSU plans a 600-bed dormitory nearby at the new terminus of the transit mall, Desrochers said.

When the transit mall opens, PSU will have access to two light-rail lines -- with the promise of a third by 2015. The Yellow Line that serves North Portland will be rerouted: Instead of running along Yamhill and Morrison, it will join the Green Line down Southwest Fifth and Sixth avenues to PSU's campus.

By 2015, Portland State's light-rail terminus will be the launching point for a new MAX line to Milwaukie, via the burgeoning South Waterfront area. That will enable PSU to co-develop some facilities at Oregon Health & Science University's new campus by the Willamette River, Desrochers said.