State of the River Report 07-08

TOC

State of the River Report 07-08  1

I. ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND KEY ACTIONS  2

Looking Ahead—Plans for the River  2

River Plan  2

Vision Into Action / visionPDX  3

Portland Plan  3

Central Portland Plan  4

Harbor Prosperity  4

Working for a Clean and Healthy River  5

Citywide Tree Project  5

Portland Harbor Superfund Site Clean-Up  6

Eastside Big Pipe  6

Community Benefit Opportunity  6

Portland Watershed Management Plan  6

Grey to Green  7

Stormwater Management  7

Salmon Recovery  8

Natural Resource Inventory Update  8

Urban Forest  10

Managing the Ross Island Natural Area  10

River Connections and Community Vitality  10

Portland Parks Bureau River Activities  10

Cathedral Park Master Plan  11

Bridgeton Trail  11

LEED  12

Green Investment Fund  12

Centennial Mills  13

Ankeny Burnside Implementation  13

South Waterfront  14

Gibbs Pedestrian Bridge  16

The Portland Aerial Tram  16

Willamette River Crossing—Portland to Milwaukie Light Rail  16

PDOT River Connections  17

Spreading the Word  18

Keeping Current: State of the River Reporting  18

The River in Focus  18

River Renaissance: Spreading the Word  18

Riverfest—Celebrating the Willamette  18

II. Progress Measures  20

III. ACTION AGENDA  26

River Plan  26

Portland Plan  26

Citywide Tree Project  26

Grey to Green  27

Natural Resource Inventory Update  27

Ross Island  27

Sullivan’s Gulch Trail  28

Burnside Bridgehead  28

South Waterfront  28

Gibbs Pedestrian Bridge  29

Portland to Milwaukie Light Rail  29

River Renaissance Public Engagement  29

A River-Long River Renaissance—Willamette Communities United  30

Riverfest  30

I. ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND KEY ACTIONS

Looking Ahead—Plans for the River

River Plan

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The River Plan is the City’s project to guide, inspire, and facilitate actions along the Willamette River as it flows through Portland. This comprehensive, multi-objective plan will update the 1987 Willamette Greenway Plan, zoning code, and design guidelines. The first phase focuses on the North Reach, from the confluence with the Columbia River to roughly the Broadway Bridge. Future planning will address the Central Reach, from roughly the Broadway Bridge to the Ross Island Bridge, and the South Reach, including areas south of the Ross Island Bridge to the City boundary and parts of urban unincorporated Multnomah County.

During Fiscal Year 07-08, River Plan staff accomplished the following:

•  Concluded work with the Industrial Development and Natural Resource Integration Task Group, charged with advising staff on various approaches for integrating industrial development and natural resources in the North Reach and other related topics.

•  Completed work with the River Plan Committee, a voluntary citizen advisory group chaired by a member of the Portland Planning Commission. The Committee met throughout the development of the River Plan / North Reach to review progress and provide guidance to the River Plan project team. The meetings also served as a public forum for discussing issues and proposals during the planning process.

•  Released a River Plan / North Reach Discussion Draft resulting from over two years of detailed work with property owners, members of interest groups, agency representatives, and the general public. Plan recommendations are grouped into four categories and include the following highlights:

Economic Prosperity

To support a prosperous working harbor, adoption of the River Plan/North Reach will:

•  Reaffirm support for river-dependent and river-related uses and enhance protections for the industrial land supply in the working harbor;

•  Amend regulations to increase certainty and flexibility for riverfront redevelopment and expansion;

•  Propose a coordinated program of public investments in infrastructure and land development to fuel private reinvestment in the working harbor.

Watershed Health

To help realize watershed health goals, adoption of the River Plan/North Reach will:

•  Provide an updated Willamette River Natural Resources Inventory for the North Reach;

•  Apply a new river environmental overlay zone to natural resources along the river and the City’s existing environmental conservation and protection overlay zones to upland natural resources;

•  Establish a fish and wildlife habitat restoration program funded in part by development fees.

Access

To improve safe access to, from, and along the Willamette River, adoption of the River Plan/North Reach will:

•  Designate a continuous Willamette River Greenway Trail along both sides of the river. Portions of the trail are off-street, some are on-street and some are proposed in the railroad rights-of-way as rails-with-trails;

•  Identify new Willamette River Greenway viewpoints;

•  Recommend continued study of the demand for and feasibility of a new transportation connection between Swan Island and Lower Albina.

Working with Federal and State Partners

To improve regulatory efficiency below the Ordinary High Water Mark and to facilitate cleanup of contaminated sites, adoption of the River Plan/North Reach will:

•  Recommend process improvements and changes to approval criteria to reduce duplication and conflicting responses from City, state and federal permits;

•  Recommend creation of a new City position that specializes in North Reach issues, including industrial development, inter-jurisdictional permitting and the cleanup of contaminated sites;

•  Develop clear regulations for cleanup activities and develop materials and strategies to help applicants understand those regulations as early as possible in the cleanup process.

Vision Into Action / visionPDX

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Launched in 2005 by Portland Mayor Tom Potter, visionPDX was an extensive public engagement process to develop a shared vision for Portland for the next 20 years and beyond. Over 17,000 Portlanders participated in the two year process which culminated in Portland 2030: a vision for the future (September 2007). The opening statement of the resulting overall vision is: “Shaped by the Willamette and Columbia rivers, Portland connects people and nature to create an international model of equity and sustainability.” Participants also expressed the hope that “Greenspaces and parks are plentiful throughout our city and the vibrant Willamette River is a hub of community activity.” Many people expressed a strong interest in cleaning up our rivers, improving access, and having “a clean Willamette River utilized as a transportation resource for water taxis, kayaks, and other forms of public and private transit.”(Voices from the Community, visionPDX Community Input Summary). With the vision articulated, the City turned to implementation by forming the Vision into Action (VIA) Coalition in March 2008.

Portland Plan

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The Portland Plan is an inclusive, citywide effort to guide the physical, economic, social, cultural and environmental development of Portland over the next 30 years. The plan will build on the work the community did through visionPDX, which captured and fleshed out our shared values of sustainability, equity and accessibility, and community connectedness and distinctiveness. Over the next three years, the Bureau of Planning will be updating its 1980 Comprehensive Plan and the 1988 Central City Plan. The Portland Plan will be comprised of four key products: 1) Plan for physical development of the City (urban form, mobility, natural systems); 2) Economic development strategy’ 3) Policies and actions for social equity and access; and 4) A subset of these for Central Portland.

The Plan will also be coordinated with several concurrent efforts, including Metro’s 2040 Plan update, the River Plan, and the Tree Project. The content of the plan is being guided through public discussions of eight critical issues, including several which touch directly on our relationships with the River: Climate Change and Energy (changes in streamflows and flooding patterns), Human Health and Safety (water purity), Distinctive and Well-Designed Places (vibrant riverfront centers and neighborhoods), and High-Performing Natural Systems (healthy habitats and clean water).

Central Portland Plan

The Central Portland Plan Assessment Report (April 2008) focuses attention on the downtown and central city, the hub of Portland where the parts and pieces of the metropolitan region come together. The Central Portland Plan will update the existing Central City Plan, which was completed in 1988. Central Portland encompasses approximately 3000 acres and includes the downtown retail core with its concentrations of businesses, government, the arts, entertainment and transit. The Willamette River covers about 450 acres of the study area. Based on conversations with the community, the Central Portland Plan Assessment takes special note of “Environment, Open Space & the River: Continuing Oregon’s strong tradition of innovative, sustainable practices and connection to (and protection of) the environment, central Portland is enjoying new open spaces and a cleaner and more accessible Willamette River.” The Assessment identifies on-going programs (River Renaissance, River Plan, Portland Watershed Management Plan, etc.), opportunities (innovative stormwater practices, habitat improvements, park development, etc.), and challenges (providing for park and open spaces, riverfront vitality, environmental hazards).

Harbor Prosperity

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Past industrial operations have contaminated soil, river bottom sediments, and groundwater in the Portland Harbor leading to its listing in December 2000 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as the Portland Harbor Superfund project. Despite this designation, there have been robust investments in industrial expansion and modernization (about $440 million on 36 sites since 2004).

The harbor districts are nearly built out and the land supply available for new developments is now limited primarily to brownfield sites. However, little investment has occurred on the unoccupied or unimproved brownfield sites, where new investors would face not only on-site cleanup obligations, but also an as-yet unquantified liability for future in-water cleanup and natural resource restoration. This uncertainty is an obstacle to investment by prospective tenants, owner/operators and developers, and has essentially taken valuable industrial properties out of the market and discouraged new investment.

The Portland Development Commission in partnership with the City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Environmental Services along with Columbia Corridor Association, METRO, PGE, the Port of Portland, and the Oregon Economic Community Development Department (“Coalition”) share a common goal in the desire to clean up contaminated sites and redevelop vacant and underutilized industrial land for new industrial uses in the Harbor. In 2007, the Coalition engaged the National Brownfield Association to perform to investigate how best to encourage redevelopment of approximately 400 non-contiguous acres, consisting of 25 parcels in Portland’s industrial sanctuary along the Willamette River.

Under its Site Technical Assistance for a Municipal Project (STAMP) program, the National Brownfield Association convened a team which made the following recommendations:

1.  Recognize the Cost of Doing Nothing: These costs include financial losses in terms of jobs, tax revenue and economic growth, stigmatization of the area, possible exacerbation of the environmental impact and taking industrial sanctuary property out of play within the urban growth boundary.

2.  Identify a Champion: Identify a clearly-defined point person or inter-city/inter-agency team that can act as a champion of this process by implementing these recommendations.

3.  Create a model purchase and sale agreement: Develop a model transfer agreement to address common concerns with the purchase and sale of the 25 parcels in the study area.

4.  Select a Master Developer to be responsible for negotiating purchase sale agreements with individual property owners in order to gain control of multiple parcels of land.

5.  Create a public private partnership to acquire property: This would be a legal entity to which all 25 properties could be transferred and that would manage and finance the remediation of upland environmental liabilities, geotechnical engineering, infrastructure development and vertical build out.

Working for a Clean and Healthy River

Citywide Tree Project

The Citywide Tree Project is a multi-bureau effort to examine the city's current policies and regulations relating to trees. The Bureau of Planning is working with the Bureaus of Parks and Recreation, Development Services, and Environmental Services as well as other bureaus and stakeholders to explore key issues and problems with the existing system, and to identify and evaluate potential solutions. The regulations that the city currently operates under were adopted in a piecemeal manner over many years. The result is a complex and a confusing array of regulations that are difficult to understand, administer and enforce. The City's Urban Forestry Management Action Strategy called for a consistent, comprehensive and cohesive policy and regulatory framework for trees in Portland - a framework that helps meet City goals to enhance the urban forest through development and redevelopment. The major component of this project is an overhaul of the multitude of codes that address trees to make them clear, concise, and consistent. This project will also identify other opportunities to improve education and outreach. The Citywide Tree Project will take about two years to complete.

Portland Harbor Superfund Site Clean-Up

Eastside Big Pipe

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The City of Portland broke ground on the East Side Big Pipe projects in 2006. It is the largest sewer construction project in Portland history. The $464 million East Side Big Pipe is the last in a series of projects dating back to 1991 to control combined sewer overflows (CSOs) to the Columbia Slough and Willamette River. A 300-foot long tunnel boring machine with a 25-foot diameter cutter head is being used to build the 6-mile long tunnel. The tunnel will parallel the east bank of the Willamette River from SE 17th and McLoughlin to Swan Island at an average depth of 150 feet. The interior diameter of the finished pipe will be 22 feet.

The machine began boring in June 2007 near SE Water Avenue and is expected to reach its northern terminus on Swan Island in 2011. The project includes construction of the seven tunnel access shafts, new connecting pipelines and the Portsmouth Force Main, which will convey sewage from the Swan Island Pump Station to the Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Plant. As of July 2008, the machine had advanced over 9,000 feet, leaving about 11,000 to go.

Community Benefit Opportunity

In November 2007, the Portland City Council authorized spending $1.77 million on community projects to benefit neighborhoods close to the East Side Big Pipe Project. The city created the Community Benefit Opportunity (CBO) Program to add amenities to neighborhoods affected by CSO construction. East Side CSO construction affects 11 neighborhoods between SE 17th and McLoughlin Boulevard and Swan Island. Community groups and citizens in those areas nominated 38 projects. A citizens advisory committee reviewed the proposals, and Environmental Services recommended 21 projects for funding. Projects include bank restoration along the Willamette River, street tree planting, community gardens, and sustainable stormwater management facilities.

Portland Watershed Management Plan

In 2005, the city developed the Portland Watershed Management Plan (PWMP) to guide its effort to improve water quality and watershed health, and protect and restore natural resources. The Bureau of Environmental Services oversees the PWMP, which provides a framework that supports the refinement, integration, and acceleration of actions to improve watershed health. In 2007, the City made significant progress towards developing the PWMP Framework for Integrated Management of Watershed Health to implement, monitor, and evaluate watershed-related actions.

Several other important strides were made in the last year. BES has developed a data system, the PWMP Watershed Services User Program to help track watershed actions and how they contribute to PWMP goals. The Program provides project tracking; program planning and prioritization; performance measure tracking; annual reporting on overall PWMP progress; and public access to program status. In addition, BES has tested a new watershed project prioritization tool designed to measure what each project will contribute toward better environmental performance, as well as how the effects of multiple projects might combine to meet watershed goals.

More detailed information on actions taken under the Portland Watershed Management Plan may be found in its 2007-08 Annual Report.

Grey to Green

Portland is blessed with abundant rainfall—and therefore abundant stormwater. The city’s annual rainfall average of 37 inches creates 20 billion gallons of stormwater runoff each year. Without proper management, stormwater runoff can damage our watersheds, rivers, and streams. In 2005, City Council embraced a holistic approach to watershed health by adopting the Portland Watershed Management Plan. In 2007, Portland initiated “Grey to Green”, a program that markedly increases the extent and pace of the City’s investments in clean rivers and streams. Over the next five years, these investments would total $50 million and include:

•  Adding ecoroofs

•  building Green Street facilities

•  Planting yard trees and street trees

•  Removing invasive weeds and increase restoration planting

•  Replacing culverts that block fish passage

•  Protecting natural areas

In addition to dealing with stormwater, Grey to Green will provide numerous other benefits, including preserving capacity in existing pipe networks; reducing peak flows and improving water quality in streams; recharging groundwater; enhancing the urban forest canopy; cooling air temperatures; restoring habitat; calming traffic; and improving neighborhood livability.

Stormwater Management

The 2.3 square mile Brooklyn Creek Basin extends from the Willamette River to Mt. Tabor between SE Hawthorne and SE Powell boulevards. Long ago the city diverted a major Willamette tributary, and many other free-flowing streams, into underground sewer pipes to make way for development.

Today, the Brooklyn Creek Basin has a combined sewer system that collects sewage from homes and businesses and stormwater runoff from streets in the same pipes—some nearly 100 years old and in poor condition. When it rains, these combined sewers fill to capacity and some of the sewage and stormwater mixture overflows to the Willamette River. In addition, rains cause street flooding and sewer back-ups into neighboring basements.

To solve these problems, the Bureau of Environmental Services is embarking on its innovative “Tabor to the River” project. This effort will combine cutting-edge stormwater management techniques with sewer repairs and improvements. Tabor to the River will integrate hundreds of sewer, green stormwater management, tree planting and other watershed projects in the Brooklyn Creek Basin. The project uniquely integrates a variety of sewer, stormwater, and watershed improvements by:

•  Repairing or replacing nearly 21,000 feet of sewer pipe ranging in diameter from 6 to 120 inches

•  Adding more than 500 curb extension swales, vegetated planters, and flow restrictors in the public right-of-way

•  Installing a new 6,239 foot, 48-inch-diameter trunk sewer

•  Installing nearly 54,000 feet of new sewer pipe ranging from ten to 30 inches in diameter

This integrated approach to stormwater management will not only resolve long-standing problems, but will save money. The estimated cost of tackling these problems with “pipe-only” solutions is $144 million. Adding sustainable, green stormwater management systems into the mix reduces the estimated cost to $86 million and has the added benefit of enhancing water quality and watershed health.

Salmon Recovery

In the last year, BES’s Science, Fish and Wildlife Program and Watershed Division have worked with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife on a number of fish studies. These are multi-year studies to assess the extent to which watersheds in their present condition are protecting native fish and wildlife and aiding in their recovery. Although the studies are continuing, several of their observations offer striking examples of success:

•  recently, Chinook salmon (listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act) have been documented as now using the entire reach of accessible habitat in the Columbia Slough;

•  salmon—blocked from using Miller Creek until an impassable culvert was removed in 2002—have been found all the way upstream into Forest Park;

•  salmon were found for the first time in decades in the middle reaches of Johnson Creek.;, and,

•  coho salmon have been found above the Highway 43 culvert—thought to be nearly impassable.

In addition, the City is establishing a genetic database of all salmonids in the City’s watersheds, which will help confirm the significance of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers to life cycles of regionally protected and endangered species. Also, the City is cooperating in a new study at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia to document how juvenile salmon are using shallow water habitat.

Natural Resource Inventory Update

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In June 2004, the Bureau of Planning began mapping vegetation based on information from reference data sources, including 2003 aerial photos and 2002 multi-spectral imagery. The City’s vegetation map has been updated in subsequent years to capture changes in vegetation. The map includes all land within the City of Portland and the unincorporated parts of Multnomah County administered by the City of Portland. The project has been a collaborative effort between Portland’s Bureaus of Planning, Parks and Recreation, Environmental Services, and Corporate GIS. Metro also participated in the project by supplying data and advice on mapping protocols. All mapped vegetation information developed by each agency for internal use was acquired and combined into a single, regional vegetation dataset that served as a starting point for the mapping project. The vegetation dataset has been made available to all City bureaus and to Metro for their use. The initial mapping and classification of vegetation patches has been completed. The data will be updated each year as new aerial photos are made available. The following chart shows how much vegetation has been mapped as of March 24th, 2008:

1 previously mapped vegetation refers to Metro’s regional vegetation map layer digitized from 2000 and 2002 aerial photos.

2 currently mapped vegetation refers to the Bureau of Planning vegetation map as of the date above.

A major component of the Natural Resource Inventory is the development of natural resource information for the Willamette River. The Draft Willamette River Inventory will update and replace an produced for the initial Willamette Greenway program in 1988. The draft report includes a description of the methodology, overview of the Willamette River Basin, overview of the North Reach of the Willamette and 13 inventory site descriptions including natural resource descriptions, ranks of relative resource value, and maps.

The purpose details the location of existing natural resource features and the current relative condition of riparian corridors and wildlife habitat in and along the Willamette River in Portland. The inventory is intended to inform and support a broad array of City and community activities relating to the Willamette River corridor in Portland including: implementing and updating city programs to manage natural resources; identifying priority areas for restoration, enhancement, and public acquisition; designing development and redevelopment projects; and meeting regional, state, and federal regulatory requirements. Over the long term, this inventory can help the City achieve its River Renaissance Vision for a clean and healthy Willamette River, and meet its watershed health goals. The inventory will inform the development of regulatory and non-regulatory tools through the River Plan, including an update of the Portland’s Willamette Greenway Program. The City also intends to submit this inventory to Metro as part of the City’s compliance with the Title 13 Nature in Neighborhoods Program.

Urban Forest

A healthy urban forest canopy has many benefits, including the control of stormwater run-off that may otherwise rush to the river, delivering an unfortunate variety of contaminants. In October 2007, the Bureau of Parks and Recreation presented the Urban Forest Canopy Report to Council. Based on field data and satellite image interpretation, the report describes the structure of Portland’s urban forest, quantifying for the first time the value of urban trees and the environmental and aesthetic benefits they provide. Results reveal that Portland’s urban forest canopy is a complex, multi-species, multi-aged resource valued at roughly $5 billion that produces over $52 million in environmental and aesthetic benefits annually. Portland’s street and park trees save the city over $11 million in stormwater processing by intercepting nearly half a billion gallons of stormwater annually. Citywide, the urban forest intercepts 1.3 billion gallons of stormwater each year, saving almost $36 million in processing costs.

Managing the Ross Island Natural Area

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In October 2007, Dr. Robert Pamplin, owner of Ross Island Sand and Gravel, donated 45 44 acres were donated acres on the west side of Ross Island to the City of Portland. The acreage is an environmentally significant portion of the island, home to bald eagles and adjacent to a blue heron rookery. As part of the donation agreement, the property transfer was accompanied by a $100,000 donation to fund an invasive species control strategy. Portland Parks and Recreation will start invasive plant removal on the property in the fall of 2008 and begin work on a habitat management plan in the winter of 2009. ."

Ross Island has also been the subject of a visioning exercise conducted by a citizen group, The Ross Island Vision Team. The Team produced a document, "Envisioning Ross Island", which lays out eight principles to guide any future management and uses of the four Islands, Ross, Hardtack, East and Toe, which form greater Ross Island. Among the eight are: restoring and managing Ross, Hardtack, East and Toe Islands to ensure their long term ecological functions; considering the islands in their context as part of a watershed, part of a wildlife system, and part of a city; nurturing a mutually beneficial relationship between humans and the islands that improves ecological values and encourages sensitive interactions; and cultivating a stewardship ethic that builds public, private, and community partnerships to support the islands' restoration and ecological health.

River Connections and Community Vitality

Portland Parks Bureau River Activities

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In addition to its Ross Island activities and trails projects, the Portland Bureau of Parks and Recreation (PP&R) continued its care-taking for unique Willamette sites.

•  Oaks Bottom Natural Area - PP&R continued amphibian studies and has recorded breeding red legged frogs within the natural area. Creation of additional wetland/amphibian habitat took place in the northern end of the natural area with funding from a grant from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board. A prescribed burn is planned for August 2008 in cooperation with the Bureau of Fire and Rescue to reduce fuel loads. In addition, an interpretive fire-safe garden utilizing fire resistant native plants has been established at the South Escarpment. Project site (Oaks Bottom Natural Area). The site of a similar residential-scale demonstration garden is being prepared at a park on the North Escarpment.

•  South Portland Riverbank Project - Expanded the Butterfly Park with a native plant demonstration garden for homeowners. Planned an 08-09 riverbank restoration project that will connect Willamette and Butterfly parks.

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•  Dogs for the Environment- Dogs for the Environment is a cooperative program sponsored by the Bureau of Environmental Services, PP&R, Multnomah County Animal Control Services, the Oregon Humane Society, and the Audubon Society of Portland to encourage dog owners to be environmentally responsible by: Keeping dogs leashed and on the trails in natural areas; scooping and properly disposing of poop; and avoiding contact with streams and wildlife. PP&R has brought the program to the Oaks Bottom Natural Area and recently added a number of Willamette Watershed parks (including those in the South Portland Riverbank Project) to the program.

Cathedral Park Master Plan

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Cathedral Park, which covers 23 acres in the St Johns neighborhood of north Portland, is one of few riverfront parks in the city and one of the most popular, especially during the summer. The park includes a boat dock, boat ramp, restroom, off-leash dog area, paved paths, picnic tables, outdoor stage, and WiFi. An active rail line bisects the park from north to south and in effect, creating two park spaces.

The park offers a number of management challenges because of its size, environmental conditions, waterfront location, intense use, proximity to residential development, and the constrained potential for redevelopment. The park needs to be redesigned to accommodate more visitors. As the city's population grows, especially in nearby neighborhoods, more people will be using the park. The new master plan will identify options for meeting increased demands.

The design team of Mayer/Reed and Flowing Solutions was selected in spring 2008 for the project, with public involvement coordinated by North Portland Neighborhood Services. Following community open houses and input opportunities, the design team worked through the summer on a preferred master plan concept that was expected to be presented in the fall.

Bridgeton Trail

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Planning was completed for the Bridgeton Trail. Bridgeton neighborhood is the location of a missing link in Portland’s regional trail network. Part of the original 40-Mile Loop trail concept inspired by John C. Olmsted’s 1903 park system master plan, this proposed trail would close a gap in the Marine Drive Trail - providing a safe, off-street, multi-modal route as an alternative to Marine Drive. The completed Marine Drive Trail would link Kelley Point Park to Troutdale, a distance of 18 miles. The Bridgeton section is one-half mile long, linking N. Bridgeton Road to I-5. The trail plan includes a paved urban level trail and a path that will provide access to the Columbia River and a boat launch. With the completion of the concept plan, the City can move forward with trail easements and land acquisition. Portland Parks & Recreation hopes to have a funding plan for development by June 2008, then proceed to final design, permitting, and construction in the next five to eight years.

LEED

As Portland develops and redevelops, the environmental impacts of new or renovated buildings can have big impacts on water quality and stormwater—and therefore on our rivers. As of May 2008 there are 36 LEED certified and 91 LEED registered buildings in Portland. In compliance with the City's green building policy, there are three LEED registered buildings including: PPR's University Park Community Center and East Portland Aquatics Center and the Water Bureau's Meter Shop.

The City's green building policy also requires tenant improvements to use OSD's G/Rated Tenant Improvement Guide or achieve silver certification through LEED for Commercial Interiors. In FY 07-08, there were six office remodels that used the G/Rated Tenant Improvement Guide, a checklist of green building options for tenant improvement projects. Featured strategies include energy and water efficiency upgrades, native landscaping and the use of recycled content or salvaged building materials.

Green Investment Fund

The Green Investment Fund (GIF) is a competitive grant program that awards innovative, comprehensive and transferable projects that excel at energy efficiency, material use reduction, water conservation, stormwater management and improving watershed health. Since 2005, the GIF has supported 32 projects with over $2 million in grants. More than half of these projects include ecoroofs and exceed the City's stormwater management manual requirements. GIF is a partnership between City of Portland Office of Sustainable Development, Bureau of Environmental Services, Water Bureau and Energy Trust of Oregon.

BES and Water are also sponsors of OSD's two annual green building events, ReTHINK and the Build it Green! Tour of Homes. Both the classes and the tour represent projects that practice water conservation, rainwater harvesting and sustainable stormwater management. An average of 70 people attend each ReTHINK class and over 1200 attend the Build it Green! tour.

Centennial Mills

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Centennial Mills represents one of Portland’s greatest chances to create a community-defining riverfront while preserving a unique piece of the city’s history. Centennial Mills is located on the Willamette River between the Fremont and Broadway bridges. The mill began operation in 1910 as a large merchant flour mill, capitalizing on expanding foreign markets for U.S. grain products between 1911 and 1948. Centennial Mills remained in production until the Portland Development Commission (PDC) purchased the site in 2000 to implement the 1995 River District Plan objective of enhancing the waterfront with public open spaces and to facilitate connectivity between the River District, the Willamette River and the Willamette River Greenway.

Following a two-phase Request for Qualifications and Request for Proposals process, in 2008, PDC selected LAB Holding, LLC of Costa Mesa, California to partner with PDC in redeveloping this 4.75-acre site in the heart of downtown Portland. The selected “SEED” proposal preserves much of the site's historic fabric and proposes redevelopment with a focus on culinary restaurants and businesses as part of celebrating Portland's environment and the site's agricultural heritage.

The complex includes 12 industrial structures built

Ankeny Burnside Implementation

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The Ankeny/Burnside Development Framework is a joint Portland Development Commission and Bureau of Planning project to provide a development strategy and urban design vision for the Ankeny Plaza area, including the area under the Burnside Bridge. One of the Framework’s goals is to “Establish strong connections to the rest of downtown, Waterfront Park, and the Willamette River.” The project’s long-term goals include designing a new fire station, creating a Portland Public Market, finding a permanent home for the Saturday Market, redeveloping the historic Globe Hotel, and encouraging private development of 1,000 units of residential infill development.

Using the Ankeny/Burnside Development Framework and the Waterfront Park Master Plan as a point of departure, this project included collaborative work with citizens, business and property owners, and City staff, to design improvements for the area around the Ankeny Pump Station in Waterfront Park, for First Avenue, and an area under the Burnside Bridge. The project, which is funded primarily by the Downtown Waterfront Urban Renewal District, had an original budget of $8.5 million which proved inadequate to fully fund the project as envisioned. In May 2008, PDC authorized additional funding which, along with $700,000 raised by Ann Naito Campbell and the Portland Parks Foundation, brought the total budget to just under $13 million, including $10.8 million for construction. The project is jointly managed by Portland Bureau of Parks and Recreation and PDC, with Parks taking the lead during design, and PDC taking the lead during construction. Construction began on June 30 2008, with an anticipated completion date of late February 2009.

The Waterfront Park portion of the project will include a multi-purpose podium under a nearly 8,000 square-foot canopy made of steel, glass and wood, with a water feature to activate the space when not in use for events. The pump station will receive a new ornamental metal fence, integrating this historic building into the park. Just south of the podium, a circular plaza will incorporate broad seating steps which will feature engraved stories of Portland’s many cultures. The plaza serves as the basin for the Bill Naito Legacy Fountain, a large interactive water feature. To the east of the plaza, stone stairs will rise to a new raised cantilevered deck over the Willamette River, which will provide opportunities for more intimate views of the river. Lastly, an environmental art work of stainless steel mounted on an existing piling will offer mirrored reflections of the moving river.

South Waterfront

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South Waterfront continues to be one of the most dynamic environments in the City. Development is proceeding, even as markets have changed significantly since the district was first envisioned. New plans are being laid for a “technology quadrant” resulting from Oregon Health Sciences University’s (OHSU) new campus plans, as well as the Portland to Milwaukie light rail Willamette crossing, which will connect South Waterfront with OMSI on the river’s eastbank.

The City Council adopted the South Waterfront Plan in 2002, sparking immediate development in Portland’s newest waterfront district. OHSU opened its Center for Health and Healing in October 2006; the Meriwether Towers opened in 2006, and Atwater Place and the John Ross in 2007; and the aerial tram began operation in January 2007. Residential construction continues in the district with the 3720 Building, Alexan South Waterfront, and Mirabella Portland. The Portland Development Commission (PDC) continues to explore options to build affordable apartments in the district under changing—and challenging—economic conditions.

In late summer 2008, South Waterfront became the first urban neighborhood in the nation to be certified Salmon Safe. This certification means that the area exceeds state and federal regulatory requirements to protect the Willamette River and its urban tributaries. At the same time, it commits the neighborhood to sustain its environmental stewardship over time, including the district-wide elimination of harmful pesticides. The certification process verified that stormwater flowing into the river from South Waterfront is cleaner and colder than when the district was an industrial area.

A major new development thrust may result from state universities’ exploration of OHSU’s Schnitzer Campus property as the site for a future Oregon University System/OHSU Life Sciences Collaborative. The Collaborative would be a new research and education facility serving OHSU, Portland State University, the University of Oregon, Oregon State University and the Oregon Institute of Technology—as well as private research firms. Preliminary concepts envision a 300,000-square-foot, $250 million building. Universities are in discussion with the Oregon State Board of Higher Education regarding funding.

One of the defining features of South Waterfront is its greenway. The South Waterfront Greenway provides a critical link in the riverfront trail system, balancing the needs of people and a healthy river. In addition to creating a linear park and trail, this project will improve river habitat by grading, stabilizing, and re-planting the river bank. Plans for the South Waterfront greenway are progressing, although the schedule has been extended due to complex environmental permitting processes and property issues. A federal permit is required to build the planned trails and restore habitat along the riverbank.

The Bureau of Parks and Recreation refined the 2004 Plan for South Waterfront’s Central District over the winter of 2007 to reflect new technical information, feedback from environmental regulators, and input and priorities from the community. Parks met regularly with stakeholders and a project advisory committee to understand community priorities and concerns. Parks then performed assessments and developed construction plans that it submitted to the federal government in April 2008. The bureau is working closely with the National Marine Fisheries Service to refine the proposed river bank design to achieve compliance both with federal regulations and City goals. It is hoped that greenway construction will begin in the summer of 2009.

The Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) is working with Parks, Planning, and PDC to coordinate with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) on riverbank clean-up sites in South Waterfront. DEQ requires landowners to take certain actions to address on-site contamination, such as removing toxic sources or capping and sealing them to prevent off-site migration. BES is interested in assuring that specific remedies authorized by DEQ also help advance the City’s greenway vision for South Waterfront.

The Planning Bureau has been working on a South Waterfront Greenway Code Update to allow for smother implementation of the South Waterfront Greenway Development Plan (GDP). The update focuses primarily on code amendments that will assist in project reviews when applicants choose the GDP as their preferred option to address required Willamette Greenway improvements. The project may also explore new design guidelines and a few minor amendments to elements of the South Waterfront subdistrict, such as lifting a prohibition on hotel uses in the district above a certain size.

PDC completed a draft South Waterfront Greenway Implementation Strategy in September 2007, which is expected to go before the City Council for approval in the next year. The Strategy will create a framework and funding plan for governance and ownership, construction, and operations and management of the Greenway. It will guide the PDC and Parks in establishing public-private partnerships to achieve full development and successful long-term operation and maintenance of the Greenway.

Parks and PDC are also working on the South Waterfront Neighborhood Park. The Park, a joint project by Portland Parks & Recreation and the Portland Development Commission, will cover two acres in Portland’s burgeoning South Waterfront District. Parks completed public outreach to assist in shaping the final design, which includes an active urban gardens area, a flexible open lawn area with sloped seating, and a naturalized landscape area with shade plantings, stormwater treatment, and a “Song Cycle” art installation that responds to the wind. Most parts of the Park are expected to be open to the public in late summer or fall 2009.

The Portland Office of Transportation updated its South Waterfront District Street Plan, Criteria and Standards. Since the 2003 adoption of the South Waterfront District Street Plan, Criteria and Standards, most of South Waterfront’s Central District has been developed or is in the process of being developed. Significant infrastructure improvements have been completed, including the Portland Streetcar extension to Lowell Street and the Portland Aerial Tram to Oregon Health Sciences University. New transportation studies, such as the 2004 South Waterfront District Transportation Improvements Evaluation and 2006 South Portal Study have also been completed. These accomplishments have generated the need to update the Standards document, including changes to the street lighting design standards, certain street furniture standards, and the modification of the street plan based on the recommendations of the South Portal Study and the City’s new Greenstreet Policy. Other transportation developments include the Gibbs Street Pedestrian Bridge and the Portland to Milwaukie light rail projects, described elsewhere in this State of the River Report.

Gibbs Pedestrian Bridge

PHOTO OPTION: 14, 14b

The City of Portland is designing a new bike and pedestrian bridge that will span I-5 and connect the historic Lair Hill neighborhood with South Waterfront and the river. The bridge will be adjacent to the aerial tram and will include improvements to some pedestrian crossings in the area. The project’s design and construction costs are funded by the Federal Highway Administration with a local match. The first concepts for the pedestrian bridge were identified by participants in an international competition to design the Portland Aerial Tram. In 2006, the City hired a consulting firm to refine the bridge design. This process gathered more input from the public on aesthetics and concluded with the identification of a bridge concept that was acceptable to the community and the City, but that probably could not be constructed within the $7 million construction budget. In 2008, the City hired a consulting team headed by CH2M HILL to build upon the previous work and collaborate with the community to design a bridge that meets the project’s requirements and can be constructed within budget. After a concept is selected, the team will complete detailed design and engineering work, and obtain environmental permits to prepare for construction, which is expected to begin in fall 2009.

The Portland Aerial Tram

PHOTO OPTION: (BOP image library?)

Portland’s Aerial Tram, which connects South Waterfront and the river with the Oregon Health Sciences University campus on Marquam Hill, carried its one millionth passenger in October 2007. It is estimated that the three-minute ride eliminates 2 million vehicle miles annually, saving 93,000 gallons of gas per year and reducing greenhouse gases by more than 1,000 tons.

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Willamette River Crossing—Portland to Milwaukie Light Rail

PHOTO OPTION: 15, 15b

The Portland - Milwaukie Light Rail Project is the latest undertaking to connect the region through high capacity transit. It is a part of Metro’s regional transportation system planning dating from the 1980s. The Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Project is a partnership among Metro, TriMet, City of Portland, City of Milwaukie, City of Oregon City, Clackamas County, Multnomah County, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

The project was originally conceived as part of the Vancouver to Oregon City corridor proposed in the 1990s. The northern portion became the Interstate line, which opened in 2004. The southern portion was studied in the South Corridor Project and adopted in 2003 by all local jurisdictions and the Metro Council. Phase I of the South Corridor Project is I-205 or the Green line, which is expected to open in Fall 2009. Phase II will connect downtown Portland to Milwaukie through a 7.4 mile rail line—and require the construction of a new bridge over the Willamette (bringing the total number of spans in Portland to an even dozen).

In addition to the MAX line, the new bridge will carry pedestrians, bicycles, and streetcars—but not automobiles. Portland Mayor Tom Potter and City Commissioner Sam Adams assembled a group of property owners and neighborhood representatives from both sides of the river to study possible locations for the new bridge. Called the Willamette River Crossing Partnership and chaired by Portland’s former mayor Vera Katz, this group reviewed the benefits and impacts of each river crossing option.

The Federal Transit Administration approved the official release of a Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement in May 2008. This document presents details of the project alternatives and their environmental and transportation impacts. Also in May, the Willamette River Crossing Partnership recommended a crossing that would serve Oregon Museum of Science and Industry while complementing Oregon Health and Science University, the Greenway and South Waterfront area. In July, the Metro Council unanimously adopted a route for the rail line, including termini, stations. and the river crossing. This route was endorsed by all jurisdictions along the alignment, including Portland, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Clackamas County and TriMet.

PDOT River Connections

PHOTO OPTION: 13 a-b

SmartTrips is a comprehensive approach to reduce drive-alone trips and increase biking, walking, public transit ridership, carpooling, car sharing and combining trips. Key components include biking and walking maps and organized activities which get people out in their neighborhoods to shop, work, and discover how many trips they can easily, conveniently and safely make without using a car. As described below, a key feature of many SmartTrips programs is the experiences they offer along our rivers and streams.

The Ten Toe Express program includes a series of guided walks and a walking kit, distributed upon request to residents of the SmartTrips Southwest Target Area. The program offers an intimate way to get to know the river, with routes that take participants along the Willamette Greenway, from South Waterfront to Council Crest, and from Hillsdale down to the river.

Senior Strolls is a program designed to offer seniors an easy, pleasant, social walking experience, and to give them the confidence to consider walking as a transportation option. Strolls range from 1 to 2 miles in length and often involve river-related destinations, such as Willamette Park, South Waterfront, and both Fanno and Stevens Creeks.

Portland By Cycle Rides and Classes offer information and a supportive setting for adults new to cycling or just getting back on the bike. The Portland By Cycle campaign encourages people to use a bike more often - for fun, exercise, shopping, or even commuting to work. The rides often take participants by the River or into the City’s watersheds, as shown by the following routes: Waterfront to Greenway, Electric Fanno Creek Ramble, Stormwater Gardens and Swales, Southwest Parks and Neighborhoods, Heritage Trees, Ride to the Waterfront, and Tabor to the River Bike Tour.

Women on Bikes, is a women-only series of fabulous clinics and fun rides, where participants learn about basic riding skills, basic maintenance and flat repair, bike fit, bicyclists’ rights and responsibilities, and route planning. Women on Bikes also offers a chance to connect with other women on beginners' 10-12 mile bike rides that feature close-up look at our rivers and streams, as shown by the following routes: Willamette Park, Springwater on the Willamette, Columbia Slough, Willamette Park/Tram, Springwater Trail, Waterfront Park.

Spreading the Word

Keeping Current: State of the River Reporting

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River Renaissance produced the third annual State of the River Report in 2007. Required by City Council to both showcase Portland’s river-related accomplishments and gauge progress, the Report opens a window on the City’s river plans, projects, and progress. It profiles actions taken by eight City bureaus and their partners during the previous fiscal year and outlines those planned for the next. To better reflect the renaissance occurring river-long, a new section was added to the report that profiled the activities and achievements of a number of communities upstream from Portland.

The River in Focus

PHOTO OPTION: 16a

River Renaissance continued its brownbag lunch discussion series. Held nearly every month at City Hall, River in Focus featured 11 speakers on topics of vital importance to the River, including the Willamette Ecosystem Marketplace, Portland’s natural resource inventory, the Portland Watershed Management Plan, river stewardship, the Governor’s Willamette Legacy program, the history of the Port, Willamette Falls, Johnson Creek restoration, river clean-up and the Willamette’s relationship to the Columbia.

River Renaissance: Spreading the Word

PHOTO OPTION: 16a

The City of Portland’s River Renaissance Initiative continued to publish and distribute the popular monthly calendar of river-related events, helped host various tours, made presentations to a wide variety of audiences, and managed a website with information on river programs, organizations, publications, and resources. More and more people are hearing the River Renaissance message of what’s good for the River is good for us and vice-versa—the calendar is now distributed to over 1,500 people and the use of the website has continued to grow, averaging over 9,000 hits per month in 2007—a 50 percent increase over the previous year.

Riverfest—Celebrating the Willamette

PHOTO OPTION: 16b (more Rivefest photos have just been uploaded on BOP flickr)

River Renaissance was a major sponsor of and participant in Riverfest, the biggest celebration of the Willamette River in the City’s history. This 11 day festival ran from August 28 through September 7, 2008 and featured over 30 fun and educational activities. Riverfest included the Oregon Symphony’s free neighborhood concert on the waterfront, the Oregon Trout Portland Triathlon, the Portland Paddle, dragonboat races, a Willamette Chautauqua speaker series, a community fair, a boat parade, a parade of species, bridge tours, a riverbank clean-up, numerous paddles and tours, bike rides, and South Waterfront Day. In addition to establishing a new annual tradition to honor the Willamette, Riverfest also engendered new public and private partnerships to advance the work needed to safeguard the river’s health and the economy that depends on it.

II. Progress Measures

Yellow highlight means new info still needed

The maritime tonnage of goods handled in the working harbor increases. The maritime tonnage of international goods handled in the working basically held steady in 2006, while the handling of domestic goods increased by over 3 percent. Since 2002, the growth in these categories has been over 5 and 9 percent, respectively.

Portland Harbor Cargo Handled (short tons)

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

change from 2005

change 2002-2006

International

15,431,000

15,753,000

17,658,000

16,356,000

16,278,607

-0.47%

5.49%

Partnerships, Leadership, and Education	Key Indicators of Progress
Increase the number of students participating in school assemblies and activities to learn about the economic, environmental and urban roles of the Willamette River.	A total of 12,844 K-12 students in Portland area schools participated in classroom presentations and field work through BES’ Clean Rivers Education Program during the 2006-2007 school year—an increase of over 550 from the previous year.	+
Enhance cooperative efforts between upstream and downstream communities.	River Renaissance continued to make its calendar and website available to other community events and news, and encouraged other communities to participate in Riverfest. In addition, River Renaissance added a new section to the State of the River Report in 2007, highlighting the river-related activities of upstream communities.	+
More Portlanders take part in activities at home and in the community that contribute to River Renaissance goals.	72% of Portlanders reported at least one visit to the Willamette River in 2007, about 4% increase since 2004. (City of Portland Resident Survey, 2007). A total of 50,237 downspouts have been disconnected from residential roof drains. This is an increase of —an increase of 2,168 in FY 2006–07.
An increasing number of Portlanders receive the River Renaissance calendar and visit the River Renaissance website.	•  As in FY 2006–07, ten editions of the River Renaissance events calendar were produced this fiscal year. •  The average number of monthly visits to River Renaissance’s website home page in FY 2007-08 was 9,025, a 50 percent increase over the previous year. •  2800 copies of the calendar are distributed, compared to 3,000 copies last year—some of the difference may be due to increased use of website calendar; •  Monthly email announcements are sent to a network of 900 individuals, businesses, and organizations, an increase of 100 in the past year.	+

III. ACTION AGENDA

River Plan

PHOTO OPTION: probably any in Willamette River sets on flickr

Action Description/Timeline: The next steps for the River Plan during 2008-2009 include:

▪  Work with stakeholders, decision makers and the public to refine the draft River Plan / North Reach.

▪  Submit the River Plan / North Reach to Planning Commission and City Council for adoption. Please see page xx in key accomplishments for highlights of the Plan's recommendations.

▪  Begin detailed planning for the Central and South Reaches of the Willamette River. The Central Reach will be conduced as part of the Central Portland Plan, a comprehensive update of the1988 Central City Plan, and focus on the Vibrant Waterfront District and Front Yard River Renaissance themes. The South Reach will focus on the Clean and Healthy River and Front Yard River Renaissance themes.

City Lead: Planning

Partners: Port of Portland, property owners, state, federal and regional agencies, community stakeholders

Portland Plan

Action Description/Timeline: Spring 2008 to Spring 2009

The Portland Plan program will conduct research and analysis to establish the context for the plan and to work with the community to:

•  generate ideas for addressing issues and opportunities;

•  develop preliminary goals and guiding principles to shape the plan;

•  develop a set of initial choices for addressing issues and opportunities;

•  identify community preferences;

•  identify criteria to be used to evaluate alternative plans and choices and, eventually, to measure progress in meeting adopted goals and objectives;

•  narrow and refine choices (i.e., scenarios and big picture goals and policies); and

•  present the scenarios and big picture goals and policies to the City Council for direction.

City Lead: Planning

Partners: Development Services, Environmental Services, Parks, PDC, Transportation, Water, Sustainable Development

Citywide Tree Project

Action Description/Timeline: The Citywide Tree Project will take about two years to complete. The Citywide Tree Project is examining many complex issues and involves careful consideration of diverse community desires and needs. Potential solutions need to be evaluated with key stakeholders to ensure that they are efficient, effective, equitable, and affordable. Any regulatory changes need to be clear, consistent and feasible to administer and enforce.

Timeline: Late 2008—broad public involvement begins; Summer 2009-- New and/or revised code language proposed for public review and consideration by the Planning Commission; Fall 2009--City Council presented with revised proposal for adoption.

City Lead: Bureau of Planning

Partners: Parks and Recreation, Development Services, and Environmental Services

Grey to Green

Action Description/Timeline: Grey to Green has set an ambitious implementation schedule for accelerating actions to protect and restore watershed health.

Starting July 2008

As a first installment, the city plans on investing an additional $5 million in fiscal year 2009 to begin implementing the five-year Grey to Green effort. During the first year, it is anticipated the City will:

• Add 3 acres of ecoroofs

• Construct 8 Green Street facilities

• Plant 2,000 yard trees and 3,000 street trees

• Revise city code to accelerate invasive species removal

• Purchase 46 acres of natural areas

• Restore native vegetation to 70 acres of natural area

The Next Five Years

Over the next 5 years, the city plans on investing an additional $50 million to ensure that Portland grows in a way that protects and enhances watershed health. with this funding, the city would be able to:

• Add 43 acres of ecoroofs

• Construct 920 Green Street facilities

• Plant 33,000 yard trees and 50,000 street trees

• Step up the fight against invasive weeds

• Replace 8 culverts that block fish passage

• Purchase 419 acres of high priority natural areas

City Lead: Bureau of Environmental Services

Partners: River Renaissance, Planning, Parks, Portland Audubon, Urban Greenspaces Institute

Natural Resource Inventory Update

Action Description/Timeline: The Planning Bureau will continue refining its Willamette River Natural Resources Inventory for the Central and South reaches to inform the progress of the River Plan.

Timeline: 2008-09

City Lead: Planning

Partners: Environmental Services, Parks & Recreation, Development Services, Metro, US Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration Fisheries, Portland State University, Port of Portland, Multnomah County Drainage District, property owners, Watershed Councils, community stakeholders

Ross Island

PHOTO OPTION: 5a, 5b, or 5c

Action Description/Timeline: The Bureau of Parks and Recreation will increase its management oversight of the newly donated Ross Island natural area by concentrating on invasive species removal for the next 2-3 years, initiate habitat management planning in January 2009; erecting signage in fall 2008 to inform the public of the sensitive nature of the natural area and to prevent entry, and sponsoring kayak tours to acquaint the public with Portland’s newest natural area.

City Lead: Parks and Recreation

Partners: Ross Island Sand and Gravel, Planning, River Renaissance, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Oregon Department of State Lands, Port of Portland, Portland Audubon Society, Willamette Riverkeeper, Urban Greenspaces Institute

Sullivan’s Gulch Trail

Action Description/Timeline: The proposed trail is a 4.3 mile long opportunity that will provide an uninterrupted link between the Eastbank Esplanade, the Willamette River Greenway, the I-205 Trail and the Springwater Corridor Trail—and may one day even reach the Sandy River. The trail will parallel the Benfield and Eastside MAX line running from Gateway to the Willamette River, providing safe, continuous, and quick transportation options for cyclists and pedestrians. The trail will connect all of the neighborhoods along the route through connections at existing overpasses and will encourage more people to ride or walk to work, for fun or for errands.

Regional transportation funding has been identified and secured to study the needs for trail construction. Metro and the region’s jurisdictions have recently allocated $250,000 to conduct this study, and the City of Portland will lead the effort. Through the Bureau of Parks, a study will start this Fall to understand what it will take to start construction of the trail. In addition, the trail is expected to be discussed in the Portland Plan process.

City Lead: Parks and Recreation

Partners: Metro, Sullivan’s Gulch Neighborhood Association, Sullivan’s Gulch Trail Committee

Burnside Bridgehead

Action Description/Timeline: PDC will solicit for a new development team in the winter of 2008. Upon selection, there will likely be at least 18 months of planning, designing and permitting for this mixed-use project.

The PDC has planned for that timeframe, however, and has pinpointed a number of precursory ideas for the site’s interim uses. Heading the list is a plan to turn one block into a temporary expansion of the Burnside Skatepark. The expanded area could be used for skateboard and mountain bike expositions.

City Lead: PDC

Partners: Planning, Transportation

South Waterfront

PHOTO OPTION: 12a-c, 5a,

Action Description/Timeline: Major elements of the South Waterfront Project will move forward:

Greenway:

Central District permit discussions with the National Marine Fisheries Service will continue with construction possible in summer 2009.

Neighborhood Park:

Expected to open in summer 2009.

SWF Greenway Code amendment

It is anticipated that the Design and Planning Commissions will be asked to hold formal hearings adopting the plan in Winter of 2009 with City Council review following in early spring.

City Lead: Planning

Partners: PDC, Development Services

Gibbs Pedestrian Bridge

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Action Description/Timeline: The first phase, aimed at selecting a preferred design concept, will be complete in September 2008. After September, engineers and designers will work for another ten months to develop construction-ready plans. Construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2009 and be complete in late 2010.

City Lead: Transportation

Partners: Parks; Planning; Development Services; Portland Development Commission; South Portland Neighborhood Association; Slidell; OHSU; Bicycle Transportation Alliance; Willamette Pedestrian Coalition

Portland to Milwaukie Light Rail

PHOTO OPTION: 15, 15b

Action Description/Timeline:

Fall 2008 through Fall 2009:

•  Develop and submit a New Starts Program Application.

•  Develop and submit an application to enter Preliminary Engineering.

•  Finalize the project financing plan.

•  Prepare a Final Environmental Impact Statement.

2011 through 2015: construction of light rail project line, stations and bridge

City Lead: Transportation

Partners: Planning, Portland Development Commission, Environmental Services, TriMet, Metro

The River in Focus

Action Description/Timeline: Continue and expand participation in this free monthly brownbag discussion series that highlights critical economic, environmental, and urban river issues.

City Lead: River Renaissance Initiative

Partners: Community, business, and agency Partners:

River Renaissance Public Engagement

Action Description/Timeline: Continue and expand ongoing outreach, education, and promotional activities that involve Portlanders connecting with their River. These include the monthly River Renaissance Calendar, producing the annual State of the River Report, and managing Portland On line’s River website (www.portlandonline.com/river).

City Lead: River Renaissance Initiative

Partners: Community groups, businesses, regional agencies, non-profits

A River-Long River Renaissance—Willamette Communities United

Action Description/Timeline: River Renaissance will explore the degree of interest on the part of communities all along the Willamette River to meet regularly in order to share information, identify common needs, and work together on strategies to improve river connections and target a cleaner, healthier river system.

City Lead: River Renaissance Initiative

Partners: Planning, Environmental Services, Parks, PDC, Port of Portland, local governments along the Willamette

Riverfest

Action Description/Timeline: The City’s second annual Riverfest is being tentatively planned for September 3 – 13. The City will continue to be a major Riverfest sponsor and participant, and help expand the Riverfest partnership and increase public participation at all of River fest’s events.

City Lead: River Renaissance Initiative

Partners: Planning, PDC, Environmental Services, Parks, Port of Portland, Lower Willamette Group, Oregon Trout, Portland Triathlon, Willamette River Fun(d) of the Oregon Community Foundation, Willamette Riverkeeper, And South Waterfront