TriMet is undertaking a multi-year replacement of 12 Traction Power Substations (TPSS) along the Blue Line, 10 in Portland and 2 in Gresham, to support long-term light rail system reliability and resiliency. Convergence is leading architectural design under STV, developing new substation structures that can meet complex electrical needs, satisfy municipal design standards, and adapt to site-specific conditions across two jurisdictions.

To streamline delivery, Convergence is designing the new structures as a flexible “kit of parts” that can be configured to meet different zoning requirements and physical site constraints. Because many of these sites fall within right-of-way and the buildings are pre-manufactured, coordination with local agencies is highly unique and customized to each site, using a “kit of parts” design we prepared one Design Advise Request, which avoided the need for a Design Review for each individual site, ultimately streamlining the process for the whole project. 

Given the length of the corridor, the team has had to actively coordinate with a variety of on-going and planned projects. We coordinated schedules, permitting, and designs with each team. One of those sites was at the new skate park immediately adjacent to TriMet’s TPSS building. Convergence coordinated closely with DAO Architects, who designed the skate park.

Originally built in 1983, the substations no longer meet current NEC clearance requirements and contain aging, obsolete equipment—making this modernization critical to support safe and efficient operations for the next generation of riders.

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Convergence is providing architectural services to TriMet and its engineering firm, David Evans and Associates to modernize and expand multiple transit centers. 

At the Oregon City Transit Center, Convergence’s redesign will provide a much needed expansion and retrofit of the existing transit center to add new bus layover and operator break facilities. The improvements are necessary to expand service in Clackamas County and support operators.

For the Beaverton Transit Center, the new design provide updates, reconfigures facilities, and increases capacity of the bus layover facilities. The resulting facilities will provide improved and more comfortable operator break and layover spaces, more efficient layover pull-in and pull-out procedures, new service upgrades that will accommodate 60-foot articulated, zero emissions buses and infrastructure for fast-charging battery electric buses.

We have also conducted similar work at the Hollywood Transit Center, Gateway Transit Center, and Parkrose Transit Center.

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Convergence partnered with WSP to help TriMet reimagine the long-term future of the Ruby Junction Operations & Maintenance Facility—one of the most active sites supporting MAX light rail. Through a multi-phased master planning effort, we engaged directly with stakeholders, evaluated existing buildings and systems, and translated operational needs into planning and programming strategies for future growth. Our work included developing master plan documentation, exploring multiple siting options for new maintenance and office facilities, and shaping concepts that support cleaner, more efficient train servicing—such as a new pull-through clean and sand building and a remodel of an existing steel structure to better support storage and workspace needs. Using Revit modeling and phased planning, we established a clear roadmap that guides investment, sequencing, and facility evolution over time.

We have also worked on several other O&M projects at Ruby Junction, critical for helping TriMet keep the facility operating efficiently:

• Maintenance Building Partial Reroof
• Bogie Shed Project Development
• Hogan Yard Maintenance Building Schematic Design
• Electrical Substation Building

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The Powell Garage project provides modernized facilities and adds capacity for TriMet’s 60-foot articulated buses. Convergence served as the local Architect, under the prime Architect, Stantec, for the redevelopment of the site’s active bus maintenance and operator dispatch facility. The project was phased to preserve all existing functions on the site during construction, while also increasing the capacity to handle more buses and associated activities and personnel. We led the engagement and tracking on all permitting, designed the bus wash and fueling buildings, led the on-site construction contract administration efforts, and assisted the Prime with their design and documentation efforts.

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Convergence Architecture is working with the prime architecture firm of IBI Group for the Portland Development Commission on Portland’s Union Station downtown. We are leading a team of small and disadvantaged firms to provide design services for the 5,000 square foot Annex Building located just to the south of the main terminal, as well as providing support to IBI Group in the form of accessibility and code reviews. The current project scope includes existing conditions documentation, visioning, and pre-engineering phases. The project endeavors to revitalize the facility and provide services to the developing neighborhood surrounding it. The team is currently embarking on the pre-engineering phase, which will provide a schematic level of design to be used for cost estimating purposes. The design team is utilizing Revit to model the existing buildings.

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