DOCUMENT DESIGN AND ILLUSTRATION Jim Ann Carter, Graphic Illustrator II Jim Longstreth, Illustrator/Consultant Vickie Nissen, Illustrator/Consultant Gary Odenthal, GIS Coordinator Printed on Recycled Paper Second Edition BUREAU OF PLANNING 1900 SW 4th Ave., Ste. 4100 Portland, Oregon 97201 503.823.5839 [email protected] www.planning.ci.portland.or.us C1 I ◆ JANUARY 26, 2051 C2 I CITY Portland: Reflections on the River CLOSE-UP Portland’s 200th Birthday reduce the toxicity of roadway runoff The waterfront is now one of the best Continued from Page C1 reaching the river. venues to learn about and appreciate City’s Return to the River Portland and its evolution. Early use of River taxis, ferries, tour boats, and cruise the river by indigenous cultures is hon- Fifty years ago the water was fouled. Early in the century, major investments ships have also made the waterfront more ored at sites along the waterfront. Repli- Toxic substances penetrated the sedi- were made to clean up the toxics in Port- context, accommodating the river’s ex- accessible and popular. Convenient boat cas of early Portland ships and maritime Reminiscing on the legacy of ments on the river bottom, the fish were land Harbor and all but eliminate sewer panded natural and recreational func- access from waterfront destinations and museums connect Portlanders to the River Renaissance, launched at unhealthy to eat, and the banks were overflows into the river. tions and the prevention and cleanup neighborhoods is provided by access city’s river and economic heritage. Rem- the turn of the millennium lined with concrete and construction of river pollution. The freeways, cargo ramps, boat slips, docks, and marinas nants of historical uses and activities, fifty years ago. debris. Due to overflowing sewers, ‘no The Willamette River in Portland is one docks, and rail lines that dominated the Wake-free days and zones have made such as bargeways and dock structures, swim’ days were regular occurrences. of the earliest examples of the interna- riverfront in prior decades have been the river inviting for kayaks and canoes. are integrated into waterfront tional trend in managing urban rivers so redesigned and better integrated into the development. that watershed health and human activi- larger built and natural environment. New and expanding neighborhoods th Portland — In celebrating this 200 ties co-exist and are mutually support- and business districts along the river, Sustained leadership during the last 50 birthday of our fair city, it is worth- ive. Portlanders are committed to plant- Portland’s linked system of especially in the Central City, have be- years has enabled the impressive strides while to reflect upon the Portland of ing native vegetation in their yards. parks, trails, and open spaces radiate come centers of economic vitality. The made in River Renaissance. Government, 50 years ago when citizens and city Productive aquatic and riparian habitats from the river. It is a tribute to our citi- river is a major contributor to the appeal, business, and public collaboration is a leaders gathered to start a movement throughout the city have been restored zens that they had the foresight to ac- activity, and urban design of these trademark characteristic of the projects known as ‘River Renaissance.’ Faced and are now protected natural areas. quire and develop much of the park sys- districts. along the Willamette River and through- with challenging mandates from state The river and tributaries connect these tem we enjoy today. People flock to the out the watershed. The enduring cam- and federal agencies to clean up the pockets of greenspace. Ross Island, waterfront for annual festivals, sporting Reconfiguring the I-5 Freeway liberated paign for the river is evident in school river and restore natural habitat, once a gravel mining operation, is now events, recreation, and relaxation. On the east bank of the Central City for other curricula and field trips, river cruises, people looked deep into the soul of a natural area in the center of the city. any given day, children and adults as- uses, including the extensive Eastbank waterfront celebrations, and high profile the city—the history and meaning of Healthy populations of salmon and other semble at the river to play soccer, fly Park and a growing district of cultural planning and design efforts focused on the place. They began the gradual em- ARCHIVAL PHOTO wild native fish and wildlife have model airplanes, throw frisbees, study institutions along Water Avenue. Remi- the river. The River Renaissance Foun- brace of the Willamette River and its returned to the river, its edges, and flood- the natural environment, or just doze off niscent of efforts in the 1970s that re- dation has become one of the city’s most watershed as the unifying element of A view of the Central Eastside riverbank plain. on a blanket. The city’s green infrastruc- placed Harbor Drive with Tom McCall prolific civic ventures. the city, its form and history, and its from the West in 2001, 50 years ago. ture also supports a clean river and a wide Waterfront Park, these bold initiatives place in nature. The city of their day Portland’s ‘working harbor’ con- range of fish and wildlife species. have reclaimed the Central Eastside as a Today, the riverfront offers a rich variety was quite different from the one we tinues to evolve and flourish as the vibrant waterfront district. of tranquil places and bustling activities know now. region’s industries and cargo diversify. The completed Willamette River that satisfy our spiritual desire to see and Portland Harbor remains one of the Greenway Trail connects adjacent neigh- Segments of the seawall at Tom McCall touch the water. Our efforts have gener- On the west side, Downtown termi- Today, the river and tributaries are run- region’s primary links to the global mar- borhoods to parks, natural areas, the Waterfront Park were reconfigured to al- ated true awareness and respect for na- nated at a seawall along the river, and ning clean. The popularity of wading, ketplace. This hub of marine, rail, and Central City, and the larger regional trail low people to sit at the river’s edge while ture in the city and for Portland as a city the central east bank was dominated swimming, and fishing in the river is a trucking networks provides efficient and system. Expanded public access, infor- still providing flood control. Now festi- in nature. by a freeway. Jordan LeDoux, now 63, source of pride to Portlanders. City plan- economical freight movement for the mational signs, and carefully placed view- vals are held in a variety of riverfront remembers standing on a new walk- ners and resource managers now protect region’s industries and commerce. The points enhance the waterfront making it locations. way beside the freeway known as the water quality through a watershed and policies that marshal the river’s multiple memorable and easy to navigate. ◆ ‘Eastbank Esplanade’. “We finally regional approach. Green rooftops and resources have emphasized cost-sharing, Walking along the waterfront, one en- had a place to go on the east bank an extensive tree canopy absorb and fil- local control, and certainty, encouraging Bicycle transportation is thriving along counters a rich texture of experiences and where we could see and touch the ter rainwater before it reaches the river. reinvestment in industrial and transport the Willamette River Greenway Trail, mir- destinations. It offers nature walks, ur- water,” LeDoux remarked. “ The noise The wooded corridors of Johnson, facilities. roring the river’s traditional function as a ban promenades, playgrounds, marinas, was deafening but it was the Tryon, and Fanno Creeks, the Columbia transportation corridor. This increased bi- restaurants, cafes, and art centers. start of something exciting. Now look Slough, and smaller west side streams The harbor has also become more resil- cycle use helps to reduce our reliance on Landmark architecture has emerged in at what we’ve accomplished.” drain cold, clean water into the river. ient as it has better adapted to its urban the automobile in the river corridor and many locations. Please see REFLECTIONS, Page C2 11 2 2 a vision A clean and River Renaissance 2001 healthy river AA CALLCALL JANUARY 2001 TT OO ACTIONACTION A prosperousfor working the harbor 1. A revival : rebirth. 2. A period of revived artistic, scientific or intellectual achievement or enthusiasm River Renaissance encompasses new initiatives and efforts already underway, including the City of Portland’s front yard Portland’s Clean River Plan, the Endangered Species Act Program, the update of the Willamette River Greenway Plan, urban renewal plans, and others. Led by the Bureau of Planning, this multi-objective initiative will align city work plans, and future generate opportunities to reap multiple benefits from our investments. The River Renaissance Vision is a sketch of the Willamette River as Portlanders would like to see it in the future. Today’s Willamette faces diverse challenges. As we celebrate our 150th Vibrant waterfront year as a city and approach the 200th anniversary of Lewis and Clark’s arrival by river, it is timely to invite Portlanders to imagine the river’s possibilities well into districts and neighborhoodsof our the future, and set forth a shared vision. The Vision is a general guide for creating and integrating future action plans. It is the foundation for the continuing activities of River Renaissance. Over one thousand Portlanders participated in River Renaissance Vision events Partnerships, leadership, in Fall 2000, and have their fingerprints on this Vision. It will be further refined to reflect additional public comment before endorsement by City Council in March and education 2001. Successful implementation of this vision will require a long-term public commitment to resolving policy issues and balancing priorities.