Let's get serious ... about the southern portion of our beloved Willamette River

News Article
Jump in with us as we explore the future of recreation opportunities and natural resources in the South Reach.
Published

We’ve held a Visioning Workshop and had lovely evening walks along the river with some of you. And we’ve been attending your neighborhood meetings and looking at the responses to the online questionnaire. You can still fill in the online questionnaire, so let us know what you think. 

Now it’s time to wade into the details of the key challenges and opportunities. River Plan / South Reach project staff will host a series of public meetings to cover a variety of topics; then we’ll integrate the input received into eastside and westside discussions and culminate this phase of work with a public open house in December. The results of all that will shape development of the River Plan / South Reach. So, jump in!

First: Topical meetings

Below is a list of scheduled topical meetings for interested community members to help define the future of the river/riverfront area. Staff will record suggestions, comments and other outcomes of these discussions. Materials for each meeting will be posted in advance on the project web page.And as a bonus, refreshments will be served at all the meetings.

Session #1 – Riverside Recreation

Access to the river/riverfront, on-land recreation, trails and scenic views

Thursday, September 13, 2018, 6 - 8 p.m.

SMILE Station, 8210 SE 13th Avenue

Trimet: 99*, 35, 19

Session #2 – River and Riverbank Areas

Natural Resources and Adjacent Development

Tuesday, September 18, 6 - 8 p.m

Center for Equity and Inclusion, 5757 SW Macadam Avenue

TriMet: 35, 36, 43, 99*

Session #3 – In-River Recreation

Boating, Swimming Beaches and Docks

Tuesday, September 25, 2018, 6 - 8 p.m.

Center for Equity and Inclusion, 5757 SW Macadam Avenue

TriMet: 35, 36*, 43*, 99*

Session #4 – Restoration of River and Riverbank Areas

Preservation and Restoration

Thursday, October 4, 2018, 6 - 8 p.m.

SMILE Station, 8210 SE 13th Ave.

TriMet: 99*, 35, 19

Next: East and westside meetings

After the topical meetings, staff will hold two more sessions so community members can focus on the west and east sides of the river separately.

Session #5 – Westside Discussion

Integration of Westside-Related Issues and Opportunities

Thursday, October 25, 2018, 6 - 8 p.m.

Center for Equity and Inclusion, 5757 SW Macadam Avenue

TriMet: 35, 36*, 43*, 99*

Session #6 – Eastside Discussion

Integration of Eastside-related Issues and Opportunities

Thursday, November 8, 6 - 8 p.m.

SMILE Station, 8210 SE 13th Ave.

TriMet: 99*, 35, 19

*These Trimet lines provide limited bus service, check schedules

Finally: Big open house

Then, on December 1, we’ll host a big open house and share a summary of information and feedback gathered from previous public events, and staff recommendations for plan development including a draft future concept illustration.

Session #7 - Open House

Presentation of Information Gathered, Draft Future Concept and Recommendations for Plan Development

Saturday, December 1, 9 - 11:30 a.m.

Llewellyn School, Cafeteria - 6301 SE 14th Avenue 

Questions?

Please contact project staff with any questions about the meetings or the project overall at BPSRiverPlan@portlandoregon.gov or call 503-823-6946 or 503-823-4572.