State and local officials in Oregon have launched a planning process to develop a public access esplanade to Willamette Falls in Oregon City. City planners could center urban renewal plans around what is expected to be a popular tourist destination.

Steve Mayes reports on a recent decision to seek $4 million in planning and design funding for the “Willamette Falls Legacy Project.” The project involves redeveloping a 23-acre industrial site along the Willamette River as a cultural and scenic destination overlooking Willamette Falls in Oregon City.
The details of the project’s current status: “A consortium of state and local officials working on the project agreed Monday to identify how they might fund the $4 million design phase of an esplanade that would give the public a vantage point at the falls. Representatives from Oregon City, Clackamas County, Metro, state parks and the governor's office will report back in 30 days with how much money each might contribute to the project,” writes Mayes. Construction for the final project, “ may cost $30 million, according to a preliminary estimate.”
Part of the expense of the project comes from the difficult ownership state of the the 23-acre site required for the project—the former Blue Heron paper mill. “Currently, a bankruptcy court trustee controls the property,” writes Mayes. Efforts to sell the land have failed as three buyers made offers then quickly backed out.”
Tony Konkol, Oregon City's community development director, has also said that the city might consider tailoring its “existing urban renewal district to encompass the property or create a new district to help fund the work.”
FULL STORY: Plan for public access to Willamette Falls moves ahead; $4 million needed for design, engineering

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie