The James Beard Public Market, set to open subsequent yr on SW sixth and Alder (one block from Pioneer Sq.), is likely one of the most necessary steps but within the revitalization of downtown Portland. With about 40 vendor areas beneath one roof within the busy central metropolis, planners should be conscious of how they’ll be restocked. In any case, it will be embarrassing for Portland if a bunch of huge vehicles spewing poisonous emissions have been parked out entrance.
Good factor there’s one other method: What if the market labored with the Metropolis and modern native companies to create a zero emission microhub that might serve the brand new market with electrical cargo trikes and small electrical vehicles? That’s an thought at present being tossed round by a Dream Group of consultants who hope their plan beneficial properties traction in time for opening day.
Franklin Jones, the CEO and founding father of B-line City Supply, tells BikePortland he’s purchasing round a proposal to create a, “zero emissions logistics mannequin” for the market. Jones is amongst a gaggle that features Portland Bureau of Transportation City Freight Coordinator Russ Brooks, James Beard Public Market Govt Director Jessica Elkan (who’s main this proposal), and Honda Model Strategist June Jashinski (I clarify the Honda half under). These 4 have come collectively on a proposal they hope to current at a panel on the upcoming SXSW Convention in Austin, Texas in March.
Their presentation is titled, “Rethink Public Markets: Zero Emissions Supply and Microhubs.” It’s at present considered one of dozens of panels being proposed for SXSW, that are chosen partially by a vote of the general public. Right here’s the presentation blurb:
“Image a market bustling with folks as they browse native merchandise, and recent Oregon produce. Public markets unite folks from various backgrounds, however truck visitors typically follows. This session explores a first-of-its-kind imaginative and prescient by the Portland Bureau of Transportation, B-line, James Beard Public Market, and Fastport to remodel the way in which items transfer from farm to vendor. By centralizing deliveries, and utilizing eQuads for the last-mile, this mannequin reimagines public markets, transportation, and concrete areas for communities, making a mannequin for a extra human-first, zero-emissions future.”
Jones and PBOT will not be newcomers to those ideas. B-line has operated in Portland since 2009 and Jones at present oversees a fleet of electrical trikes that serve dozens of consumers at his consolidation and distribution heart within the central eastside. And the Metropolis of Portland has a protracted file of curiosity in electrical, bike-powered supply hubs. Since as early as 2021, the Metropolis has sought methods to dramatically cut back the variety of giant vehicles downtown. Cargo bikes and micro-deliver hubs performed a comparatively outstanding position in PBOT’s 2040 Freight Plan (adopted in 2023). And simply earlier this yr, PBOT wrapped up an indication mission for a Zero Emission Supply Zone downtown and issued a request for info (RFI) for a micro-delivery hub pilot that might be operated out of a city-owned parking storage.
Why is Honda concerned on this? Seems they’ve simply debuted a brand new “Fastport” eQuad prototype that’s tailored for last-mile enterprise deliveries. Fastport isn’t only a car, Honda says it’s a “fleet-as-a-service” micromobility enterprise that comes with a turnkey system of software program, swappable batteries, service, and extra.
Jones and the parents behind the James Beard Public Market see their proposal as an opportunity to indicate the world that city, zero emission supply is usually a actuality. As of at this time, no contracts have been signed and no funding has been recognized — though they’ve utilized for a Portland Clear Vitality Fund (PCEF) grant. Given the experiences and connections of this all-star workforce and all the thrill in regards to the market, hopefully they’ll get make funding occur.
In the event you suppose this can be a cool thought worthy of exploration, go over to the SXSW panel picker and vote for the presentation. You’ve got till August twenty fourth to indicate your assist.
