We want to acknowledge the outstanding work of our Planning Technician, Maddy Poehlein, who recently presented her academic project as part of her Master of Urban and Regional Planning degree at Portland State University. Maddy, as the Project Coordinator of “Stride Shift Planning Collective” led a team of her cohort, including Chris Corral, Sierra Willems, Ciara Williams, Shane Seaman, and Lise Ferguson, to tackle a transportation planning project in Hillsboro, OR.

The project’s goal was to prioritize bicycle and pedestrian projects, addressing gaps in sidewalk infrastructure, inconsistent development patterns, and inadequate low-stress bikeways in Hillsboro. The team engaged with the community at local biking events to gather input on prioritization criteria and preferred facility types. This helped them develop a simplified prioritization matrix that identifies the top 10 projects for implementation.

The team’s recommendations emphasized the need for a targeted approach to improve safety, connectivity, and equity in Hillsboro’s transportation system.

Maddy’s project demonstrated her exceptional leadership and coordination skills, bringing together her team’s diverse expertise to deliver a comprehensive and innovative plan. We are thrilled to see our team members excel in their academic pursuits and apply their knowledge to real-world challenges.

Maddy’s project is a testament to her skills and commitment to the planning profession. We are proud to have her on our team and look forward to seeing her continued growth and success.

Congratulations, Maddy, nice job!