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The Portland Design Commission on Thursday got its second look at a proposal for a $75 million project to build four mixed-use buildings in the Lloyd District.

Two seven-story buildings would be constructed near the northwest corner of Northeast Multnomah Street and 16th Avenue, and face the latter. An additional seven-story building and a five-story building would be constructed at the southwest corner of Multnomah Street and 16th Avenue. The development would replace the Lloyd Cinemas and a surface parking lot adjacent to the Sears building in the Lloyd Center mall.

For the most part, commissioners liked what they saw.

鈥淚 think the whole thing is moving in the right direction,鈥� Commissioner Don Vallaster said during the design advice request (DAR) hearing.

Revised plans call for the seven-story buildings to stand 85 feet and have a 3.75:1 floor area ratio. In total, the development would hold 560 residential units (40 more than in the original design) and 26,000 square feet of retail space.

The parking ratio for the development would range from zero spaces per unit to 0.7 spaces per unit. The developers are counting on proximity to public transit and a variety of retail businesses to limit the need for residents to have automobiles.

Commission Chairwoman Julie Livingston credited the design team of Holst Architecture and landscape architect 2.ink Studio for listening to advice given during a previous hearing in March.

鈥淵ou responded almost point-by-point to the issues raised in the first DAR,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t does a great job knitting these two neighborhoods together.鈥�

That was one of the major challenges for designers as they sought to achieve developer Portland Lloyd Center Community’s vision. The structures will straddle the border of the Sullivan’s Gulch and Lloyd District neighborhoods.

The team wanted to use a combination of structures and open space to create a seamless tradition between residential and retail areas, Holst principal Dave Otte said.

鈥淲e had a residential type of articulation with deep overhangs and porches at the ground-floor residential and then a more retail articulation in the retail space,鈥� he said.

Movement and light were key aspects taken into consideration for this phase of development, said Tommy Solomon, an associate with 2.ink Studio. Phase one was approved earlier in the year, and the team expects to begin construction early next year.

鈥淚t has, I think, a lot of fluid moments along the street edge similar to phase one where you have the ability to spill off the street and fill in,鈥� he said. 鈥淚n the lobby areas, you have the opportunity to have the more private moments.鈥�

Weaving together various elements in the rapidly changing area led to one of the more unique ideas of the development. Currently, plans call for two stories of one of the seven-story structures being built over the top of the five-story building facing Multnomah Street. The two buildings would share a lobby and stairwell.

The designers also plan to use a series of pocket parks and water elements to balance urban and retail aspects.

While the three commissioners in attendance were highly complementary of the plans, they did warn the designers that certain areas would get special attention during a type III design review hearing. Adding balconies or juliets could help the proposal gain the full commission’s approval, Livingston said.

鈥淧ublic art will also be an area that will be discussed,鈥� she said.

The project team plans to submit its package for a full review in January 2018, Otte said. That would likely result in a hearing in March.

鈥淚 think it is right there on the right track,鈥� Commissioner Samuel Rodriguez said. 鈥淚 think it’s a matter of refinements.鈥�

Also on Thursday:

Fremont Apartments

The Portland Design Commission heard from neighboring residents unhappy with the planned height and scale of the Fremont Apartments at 1650 N.W. Naito Parkway. The scheduled 30-minute hearing was extended to more than 75 minutes, largely to accommodate public comments.

Alterations made to the Lincoln Property Company development included removal of a protruding mass from the building’s L-shape portion and addition of a floor to the facade on Northwest Naito Parkway.

While the commission appeared ready to give TVA Architects‘ design the go-ahead with a tentative 3-1 vote, two citizens asked for the record to be held open for seven days for further testimony. The record will be held open until Dec. 15, and another hearing will take place on Dec. 21.