An artists rendering of the new ramp to the MAX stations at the Hollywood Transit Center that will replace the "We Choose Love" mural as part of the hollywoodHUB project.

TriMet will replace the mural honoring the victims of the May 2017 racist MAX stabbing attack at the Hollywood Transit Center as part of a large-scale renovation of the site that will improve alternative transportation connections and add a 224-unit affordable apartment building by BRIDGE Housing.

TriMet commissioned the mural from artist Sa’rah Farahat after spontaneous community tributes honoring the victims were created at the center following the attack. The walls covered by the mural need to be removed to make way for the apartments, community spaces, and other improvements to be called the hollywoodHUB. It will include elements of her mural.

Farahat supports the project and spoke at a Thursday, Oct. 26, groundbreaking ceremony at the Northeast Halsey Street and 42nd Avenue center.

“People ask me if I am sad the mural is coming down, but I am actually looking forward to the shift in energy at this space,” said Farahat, who said the design includes places where people can gather, organize, and continue mourning.

Other speakers at the ceremony included: TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr.; Metro Councilor Mary Nolan; and Executive Vice President of BRIDGE Housing Kurt Creagar. It was emceed by Maura White of the Hollywood Boosters Business Association.

They all paid tribute to the victims of the horrific attack that happened after three MAX riders challenged a white supremacist who was harrassing two young Black girls, one of whom was wearing a hijab. Taliesin Myrddin Namkai Meche and Ricky Best were stabbed to death. Micah Fletcher was seriously wounded in the attack but recovered. The assailant was convicted of multiple charges and sentenced to two life sentences without the possibility of parole.

Immediately after the attack, the community built a makeshift memorial at the center. Namkai Meche’s mother hung up a sign that read “We Choose Love.” Farahat incorporated elements of the response in her mural.

According to TriMet, the mural honoring the victims was always intended to be temporary because improvements at the Northeast Portland transit center had long been envisioned. Recognizing the significance to the community of the existing memorial, TriMet said themes and images from the mural have been incorporated into the final hollywoodHUB design as a lasting and permanent tribute.

“I remain committed to the words that were written, spoken and made into action by citizens of Portland who demand safety and love for all,” Farahat said. “To you who visited ‘We Choose Love’ as a way to mourn and spread care, may the words sprout like seeds in your heart. Now is your time to bloom.”

hollywoodHUB to serve many needs

The Hollywood Transit Center opened in 1986 as part of the original 15-mile MAX line between Gresham and downtown Portland. The hollywoodHUB project is currently estimated to cost around $160 million, including the apartment building and new community spaces. The project is intended to modernize 35,000 underutilized square feet of the center to seamlessly connect bus, bike, MAX and shared mobility options, TriMet said.

Planned work includes moving the now-closed bus stops onto Northeast Halsey Street with weather protection, TransitTracker, and what TriMet calls a welcoming, accessible pedestrian connection to MAX. The power substation for the light rail line — originally installed in 1986 — will be replaced, along with upgraded lighting, signage and public spaces that integrate the transit center with the Hollywood neighborhood.

The planned 13-story apartment building by BRIDGE Housing will provide 224 apartments. Sixty-five percent of them will be family size, with two and three bedrooms, including 36 with project-based section 8 vouchers making them affordable for those with very low or no income.

Funding includes $31.95 million from Portland’s 2016 affordable housing bond and Metro’s 2018 affordable housing bond. Additional financial support is coming from Oregon Housing and Community, Metro Transit-Oriented Development, Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, and the Portland Clean Energy Fund. On-site services will be provided by Hacienda CDC, Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization, Urban Gleaners and others. The location is walkable to retail stores, offices, gyms, healthcare, a post office, library, park, community centers and schools.

“This project extends beyond mere transit infrastructure. It encompasses TriMet’s commitment to making our region one of the world’s most inclusive, sustainable and livable places,” TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. said at the ceremony. “We’re revitalizing this transit center into homes and community space seamlessly linked to TriMet’s bus and MAX service and other shared mobility options.”

TriMet previously released several renderings of the completed project. One of the staircase and ramp to the I-84 pedestrian bridge and MAX platform shows a plaque affixed to a metal barrier, in which is cut the words “We Choose Love.”

History of Transit-Oriented Development projects

The hollywoodHub is one of many TriMet-related Transit-Oriented Development projects intended to support Metro’s 2040 Concept Plan of building high-density, mixed-use centers along transit lines and major transportation corridors in the tri-county region. According to TriMet, TOD projects are intended to reduce the dependency on owning a vehicle, increase access to transit, increase the supply of affordable housing units, promote density, and relieve gentrification pressures.

TriMet has historically acquired properties for use as staging areas during the construction of its MAX light rail system and other projects. Many have been completed within the agency’s service area over the years, ranging from the catalyst for the Orenco Station neighborhood in Hillsboro, Cascade Station near Portland International Airport, and the Fuller Station Apartments that opened last year in Clackamas County.

Since 2015, TriMet has partnered with developers on five TOD projects, delivering 718 units of housing, 66% of which have been affordable to residents earning up to 60% of the area median income. Another TOD project currently under construction is the East Multnomah County Library next to Gresham City Hall.

Because TriMet is not a developer, it partners with private and nonprofit third parties for such projects. An updated regional Transit-Oriented Development Plan was released last year. It documents completed projects and includes maps where TriMet still has available properties throughout the region, including in Portland, Beaverton, Gresham, Milwaukie and Tigard.