[IMAGE]TriMetCivicDriveMAXWEB2-2.jpg[/IMAGE] On Wednesday, TriMet and its regional partners opened the new Civic Drive MAX Station along the MAX Blue Line in Gresham, marking the 85th along the 52-mile MAX light rail system.

Plans for the station had been in the works since 1997 as the Gresham Civic Neighborhood developed. TriMet and Metro committed to building the station once there was enough density to support it. The 130-acre Civic Neighborhood site was formerly a mill.

"It's exciting to see a new MAX station and crossing improvements in the heart of this growing Gresham community," said TriMet GM Neil McFarlane. "It provides easy access to students at the Center for Advanced Learning, as well as TriMet riders who live, shop and work in the area."

The $3 million station was funded with $1.2 million from the Federal Transit Administration and $1.8 million from Oregon Metro.

"The Civic Drive MAX station will be at the heart of Gresham's Civic Neighborhood," said Metro Councilor Rod Park, whose district encompasses the Gresham area. "The station is part of a larger vision for a vibrant transit-and pedestrian-friendly neighborhood, where residents have a variety of housing and transportation choices, and where a full range of businesses can locate."

The city of Gresham will contribute $600,000 for a future plaza adjacent to the MAX station that will also serve as a pedestrian connection between the station and future development.

The new station includes pedestrian crossing improvements, new shelters, ticket vending machines, security cameras and interactive public art.