Wednesday • October 09. 2002
www.portlandobservcr.com
2002
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Tri-Met General Manager Fred Hansen has dedicated the transit agency to providing both economic and transportation benefits to the African American community during and after the construction of
the Interstate Max light rail line through north Portland.
photo b \ D avid P i . echl /T he P ortland O bserver
Making Connections
Interstate Max cements lasting ties with minority businesses and community
D avid P i . echi .
T he P ortland O bserver
by
Tri-met is building a $350 million light
rail project in your backyard. Are you
concerned? You bet you are.
The 5.6 m ile stretch from the Rose
Q uarter to the Expo Center in north Port
land spans one o f the m ost ethnically
diverse areas the 1 ight rai 1 Max has come
to so far.
The project tests T ri-M et’s ability to
work cooperatively with minorities and
low income neighbors frustrated by previ
ous city projects that have pushed their
interests aside.
Fred Hansen, general manager o f Tri-
Met since 1998, is trying to change al I that.
He has encouraged an atmosphere o f open
ness and cooperation.
“It’s not just about mobility,” says
Hansen, “it’s about building community.”
So far, Tri-Met’s ability to actively reach
out to minority businesses and cooperate
with those under construction has sig
naled a turning point in community rela
tions.
It’s an approach Hansen takes very
seriously.
“Public participation isn’t just a box
that you check at the end o f the day,” he
contends, “you have to be able to act on
what the community says.”
Area residents and minority business
leaders have said they wanted to be part o f
the project, wanted their voices heard,
their needs met and wanted to be em
ployed in the light-rail construction.
Part o f the success o f the project has
been linked to Hansen’s willingness to
seek out minority contractors and sub
c o n tra c to rs fru stra te d by p rev io u s
projects.
Helping fulfill thatcommitment is man
ager o f diversity Bruce Watts.
Watts has helped Tri-Met reach out to
all levels o f the business community.
An active member o f the A frican Ameri
can community. Watts washeading up the
Coalition o f Black Men when he first drew
Tri-M et’s attention.
Impressed with his involvement in the
community and insight into African Ameri
can based interests, Watts was just what
Hansen was looking for.
Hansen addressed W atts squarely,
"You have a chance to be an advocate
“My firm belief is that to have a healthy
community, people need jobs," says Watts.
R ight from the start, five potential con
tractors presented their proposals not only
to Tri-Mct, but before a community advi
sory board as well.
“Some were very good, but had no
experience working in minority communi
Public participation isn ’t ju st a box that
you check at the end o f the day. You have to
be able to act on what the community says.
— T ri-M et G eneral M anager Fred Hansen
from the outside or a decision maker from
the inside.”
Watts decided to accept that challenge.
Traditionally an advocate for African
American contractors. Watts first started
consulting Tri-met on the oversight o f
construction and minority relations.
ties,” Hansen explained.
Ultimately the five contractors were
narrowed to just two.
“Stacy and Witbeck (the project’s prime
contractor) shared these values," says
Hansen. “F.E. Ward (another chief con
tractor) was equally enthusiastic."
In addition, subcontracts were broken
down in size to increase accessibility to
smaller contractors.
The effort has already out $5 million
into the hands o f minority owned subcon
tracting firms in north and northeast Port
land.
“ W e've provided opportunities for
African American, minority, and women
owned businesses.” Watts said.
Leo Burrel o f ‘A Quality Weldor" isone
such example. Burrel is self-employed by
choice in order to focus on the quality o f
his work. Watts encouraged Burrel to seek
out employment on the project.
“They are really trying to get some o f
these contractors to use smaller guys,”
says Burrel. Though he was impressed
with Tri-met's efforts to keep smaller busi
nesses on-the-job, he also realized there
were some limitations in working with larger
contractors.
continued
on page R3
Having Coffee
and Dessert
Restoring Homes
Dixon’s Ribs Rule
Israel Davis runs his own home
construction business as an expert
craftsman in the restoration o f old
homes.
James and Marie Dixon display
tempting foods made at their restau
rant. Dixon’s Rib Pit, located at 5804
N. Interstate Ave.
The espresso, sandwich and des
sert shop was the realization o f a
lifelongdream for Anita Smith.
See inside, page R9
See inside, page R 7
See inside, page R4