This station is a large park-and-ride station located on the grounds of the Portland Expo Center. It is set up as a modified side platform station, with the two platforms serving three tracks. The extra track allows the storage of an overflow train for events at the Expo Center. The 300 park-and-ride spaces are free for commuters arriving before 10 am on weekdays for a maximum 24 hours. At all other times, you pay the Expo Center's usual $7-8 parking fee.
Although tracks and electrification end directly inside the station, it is designed to allow a future northbound extension (toVancouver, Washington) to be easily constructed.
Both the landscaping and the artwork at the station are themed in a Japanese style. This recalls the temporary Civilian Assembly Center that existed here during the early days of World War II, which processed Japanese-Americans upon the enforcement of Executive Order 9066.[1]
Bus line connections
This station is at the Expo Center served by the following bus line:
11 - Rivergate/Marine Dr
Unique station features
The station includes several unique decorative features relating to the internment camp theme:[2]
Timber Gateway: Traditional Japanese Gates, with steel internment tags strung among them
Bronze Trunks: Provide additional seating.
Bamboo Glass Blocks
Plaque: A plaque showing the prohibited area as defined in Exclusion Order #26 for those of Japanese ancestry, both alien and non-alien.
Timber gateway and a waiting train. Facsimiles of historical newspaper headlines are at the base of the wooden poles.
Timber gateway strung with replica steel internment tags.
Example of etchings on timbers.
Close-up of bamboo glass blocks on systems building.
Bronze trunk seating. Inset shows tiled box from the other trunk.
A plaque of the exclusion order #26, showing the prohibited area.
References
^Chuang, Angie (September 11, 2003). "Embracing the future, remembering the past: TriMet dedicates the Expo Center MAX Station, once a temporary WW II internment camp". The Oregonian.
