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A proposed 14-story hospital tower at Oregon Health & Science University‘s Marquam Hill campus went before the Portland Design Commission for a second design advice hearing Thursday. Commissioners were happy with alterations the design team made to the fa莽ade, but still had concerns about the local impact.

The new facility would contain adult acute-care services on two floors and women’s and children’s programs on four floors, including a relocation of the neonatal intensive care unit and mother-baby unit. Sky-bridges will connect the tower to the main hospital and the Kohler Pavilion.

The tower design by Seattle-based architectural firm NBBJ was previously criticized for an imposing concrete design that was too cold. Commissioners also said an overhang above a drop-off area would block too much sunlight from those entering the building or waiting outside.

The new design incorporates more glass to give the building a brighter, more reflective look, and at the base the building features a wood-like finish to feel more natural and warm. The overhang has also been pushed back, allowing more sunlight to hit the sidewalk and the incorporation of landscaping at the ground level.

鈥淭he way this opens up is actually quite attractive,鈥� commission vice chairman Samuel Rodriguez said. 鈥淚t does a great service to the pedestrian experience.鈥�

Parking was still a point of concern for commissioners. Three floors of above-grade parking and eight floors for clinical programs are planned, which commissioners said will create too much traffic on nearby Southwest Terwilliger Boulevard. Chairwoman Julie Livingston, who said she generally likes the modifications made, said parking will have to split across the site so one area doesn’t become too congested.

鈥淭he modifications you’ve made are slight, but also successful,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou are moving in the right direction on almost every issue, but that doesn’t mean those issues are resolved.鈥�