Portland's Plan to Move its Open Air Reservoirs Underground

The cost of bringing Portland's Washington Park reservoirs into compliance with federal regulations is rising—now at $190 million after increasing by $20 million since eight months ago. Brad Schmidt reports, however, that the price increase will not deter the city from completing the project, even if the price continues to rise.

According to Schmidt, the "reservoir project would mark the city's second-most expensive public works effort behind the $1.4 billion Big Pipe." When complete in 2024, the project won't change the appearance of the reservoir, though storage will move to an underground facility. Schmidt explains:

Officials plan to replace the open-air Reservoir 3 with a closed underground reservoir that features a reflective pond on top, similar in appearance to what's there now. Reservoir 4 will be disconnected from the water system but Portland will build a bioswale and reflective pool.