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Two new mixed-use buildings are coming to the South Waterfront District.

The Portland Design Commission conditionally approved the Block 40 project at 3714 S.W. Macadam Ave. on Thursday.

鈥淚t’s going to be a good addition to the neighborhood,鈥� Commissioner Don Vallaster said. 鈥淚t’s going to be a really positive contributor to the context of this whole area.鈥�

The buildings are bordered by Southwest Macadam Avenue to the west, Southwest Moody Avenue to the east, Southwest Gaines Street to the north and Southwest Abernethy Street to the south.

The Alamo Manhattan Properties project designed by Hensley Lamkin Rachel Architects, both of Dallas, Texas, includes two buildings, both seven stories and 82 feet tall. Both residential lobbies will be accessed from Moody Avenue. The project includes partially below-grade parking with vehicle access from Gaines Street and Abernethy Street.

The north structure will feature white brick with aluminum panel accents. It will include 190 market-rate residential units above 4,373 square feet of ground-floor retail space. There will be 176 vehicle parking stalls and 289 long-term bike parking stalls.

The south building will feature red brick with cement panel accents. There will be 213 residential units and 1,925 square feet of retail space, 177 vehicle parking stalls and 324 long-term bike parking stalls.

Overall, commissioners were satisfied with design changes made since the previous hearing.

鈥淭his is probably one of the strongest responses to an industrial neighborhood like South Waterfront,鈥� Commissioner Sam Rodriguez said.

However, most said they wanted the public plaza between the buildings to be redesigned to make use of the green space.

鈥淚 think this swath has a huge opportunity not only for the buildings immediate to it, but also even for the district,鈥� Vice Chairman Tad Savinar said. 鈥淚’m wondering what that landscape might really be as a destination.鈥�

Other commissioners agreed, saying they would like a way for people to access the upper area of green space from the lower plaza.

鈥淚t seems as though this is an opportunity to reconsider the potential of that space,鈥� Chairwoman Julie Livingston said.

Commissioners approved the proposal with the condition that the upper and lower plaza between the buildings be redesigned, including the addition of seating and lighting.

鈥淚 think it’s a great pair of buildings that really have a fascinating conversation joined at the hip through this public space,鈥� Savinar said. 鈥淚 think it’s really going to be a very strong addition to this neighborhood that has been, up to now, kind of made up of boxes.鈥�

Also on Thursday:

Mixed-use project still awaiting approval

Although city staff recommended approving plans for a Northwest Portland mixed-use building, the Design Commission did not hold a vote on the project.

Instead, after hearing public testimony, commissioners decided to hold the record open for several weeks to allow time for arguments for or against the project to come forward and for the applicant to submit a rebuttal.

If approved, the seven-story building would be constructed on the southwest corner of Northwest 19th Avenue and Pettygrove Street. Owner DD Pettygrove is planning 107 market-rate residential units above 1,150 square feet of ground-level retail space, 34 vehicle parking spaces and 120 long-term bike parking spaces.

YBA Architects‘ design features ribbed and flat metal paneling, black vinyl windows, glass guardrails, steel plate canopies and planters, concrete piers, black aluminum storefronts and wood doors and seating accents.

Jennifer Bragar, representing Pearlman Properties, owner of the adjacent Muse building, told commissioners that the proposed building’s southern wall facing the Muse would be mostly blank and unappealing. Neighbors are unhappy that the structure would be built close to the property line.

鈥淵ou see the concern of staring out at a blank wall,鈥� Bragar said. 鈥淲e request that more be done here. This should take into account the massing for the people who live right next door.鈥�

Pearlman Properties also wants the building to provide more off-street parking.

鈥淛ust because something is allowed doesn’t mean it should be endorsed by this commission,鈥� Bragar said.

However, Grace Jeffreys with the Bureau of Development Services said the Design Commission does not have the authority to require more off-street parking; that lies with the Planning and Sustainability Commission.

As for the building’s proximity to the Muse, Jeffreys said the structure is allowed to be up to the property line, and is set 18 inches back.

Alex Yale of YBA Architects said the design team took surrounding buildings into consideration when it designed the building.

Commissioners discussed several issues they had with the design. All agreed they wanted to see samples of shades of gray proposed for the concrete. Commissioner Jessica Molinar took issue with the metal paneling featured on the building’s exterior, saying it wouldn’t fit in the context of the neighborhood.

Discussion also focused on an issue brought up at a hearing on Feb. 15: plans for some of the windows. As designed, they would face directly into the parking area, and some commissioners are concerned that views into a parking structure are unattractive.

Because Bragar requested the record be left open, the city will accept new evidence and arguments on the proposal. After responses to the new evidence are submitted, the applicant may submit a rebuttal in support of the application.