"Extend downtown development throughout the River District that is highly urban in character and which creates a unique community because of its diversity; its existing and emerging neighborhoods housing a substantial resident population, providing jobs, services and recreation; and most important, its embrace of the Willamette River."
- River District Policy 17 in the Central City Plan

Portland's River District Recognized for Efforts

about the district      key elements     voices of residents     awardees

On October 27, 2001, 1000 Friends awarded the Development of the Year award to the River District. Just North of Portland's downtown, and bounded by Burnside Avenue, Interstate 405, and the Willamette River, the District was historically a rail, shipping and warehouse area. It has been transformed into a vibrant urban community, with multiple historic districts, integrated affordable housing, an artist community, and a developing waterfront on the Willamette River.

History
Given its central location and significant size, the River District was a prime target for redevelopment after the railroads had no further use for it. Transforming the District took decades, but a strong public/private partnership complemented by input from citizens and advocacy groups led to a place with some of the top property values in the state.

In response to urban flight of the 1960's, Portland adopted the 1972 Downtown Plan, a major effort to reinvest in the city core including the River District. Transportation improvements, historic renovation, upgraded housing and services, and new office buildings helped turned the City of Portland around.

Plans Lead to Major Development
The 1980s saw several plans refining the District vision to include a business park, riverfront redevelopment, mixed-use development and historic preservation efforts. In 1994, developers, business interests, and citizens created a plan advocating a streetcar line, a restored connection to the Willamette River, and diversification of housing. The vision foresaw a community of 15,000 residents, 1.5 million square feet of office space, and 500,000 square feet of commercial space.

While these numbers have since been updated in planning documents, the clearest changes have occurred on the ground. The Portland streetcar line was built, the first in the United States in fifty years. Over 2,700 units of housing were built, for people of all incomes. Jamison Square park opened, as did the Jean Vollum Natural Capital Center.

Challenges Remain
The transformation of the District was not without its challenges. Citizen involvement was low until advocates made it happen; community elements such as schools and a community center are missing; the connection to the river has been slow in developing; and additional perspectives and visions are needed.

Despite these challenges, the River District remains a bold statement in quality inner-city development. Hundreds of developers, planners, officials, citizens, advocates, architects and businesses worked to create a higher density, mixed-use community in the core of Portland, demonstrating historic preservation and affordable housing can be part of redevelopment efforts. We are proud to recognize all those involved in the effort.

Key Elements of the River District

Brownfield Redevelopment
Converted 70 acres of contaminated land to useable land, Portland's first major attempt in residential area

Historic Preservation
Preserved cultural history and character of the area including Chinatown, Old Town's Italianate architecture, and 13th Avenue's industrial brick warehouses

Public Space, Parks, and Art
Opened Classical Chinese Garden, Jamison Square park, more planned; public totem pole art complemented by private art galleries throughout district

Transportation Choices
Design integrated transit and pedestrian needs, including the extending the transit mall and building the Portland streetcar

Quality Urban Design
Higher density residential and mixed-use expressed through high quality urban design; standard 3 to 15 units per acre increased to 100 units per acre average density

Affordable Housing
Housing for people of modest means integrated into a neighborhood that includes middle and upper income citizens; 20% of units designed for low and extremely low income citizens

Sustainable Design
Jean Vollum Natural Capital Center renovated with green techniques and materials, includes green tenants such as the Office of Sustainable Development and owner Ecotrust, an organization devoted to building a sustainable economy

Voices of Residents

Dick Solomon and his wife Alyce Flitcraft recently moved from their house on a 10,000 square foot double lot in Northeast Portland into a three-story townhome in the River District. Dick, a CPA and former treasurer for 1000 Friends of Oregon, likes not having to drive: "I can walk to work, walk to the movies, walk to the store … and there are lots of transportation options."

Although Alyce is an avid gardener, she found she wanted more time for her career as a potter. Her studio is over their garage. Dick and Alyce enjoy being pioneers in a new neighborhood and look forward to the planned parks, a community center and more stores that sell "regular stuff," like groceries. They also hope more for broader income and ethnic diversity in their River District neighbors.

"What most surprised me, was the sense of community we have here ….." River District Residents Bill and Julie Young Julie and Bill Young lived in a big house in Lake Oswego before moving to a townhome built inside the old Railway Express warehouse. Bill, a former mayor of Lake Oswego, and his wife Julie, were old enough to begin the downsizing process. Bill likes the access provided by the streetcar that runs in front of their home and the variety in shopping and entertainment nearby.

"What most surprised me," says Bill, "was the sense of community we have here, especially with the immediate neighbors. We look out for each other and socialize a lot. In many ways there is a deeper sense of community living here than we had in Lake Oswego... I think the reason is partly because we are pioneers. Partly it is finding many people with similar interests and ages, which is on the one hand nice to have -- but we do miss having children around."

Thanks to All Those Who Made the River District Happen

Public Officials and Agencies
Congressman Earl Blumenauer
The City of Portland
Commissioner Charlie Hales
Commissioner Jim Francesconi
Commissioner Dan Saltzman
Commissioner Erik Sten
Mayor Bud Clark
Gretchen Kafoury
Mike Rosen and the Department of Environmental Quality
Jim Kelly and the Housing Authority of Portland
Dean Marriott and the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services
Bruce Allen and the Portland Development Commission
Charles Jordan and the Portland Bureau of Parks and Recreation
Michael Harrison and the City of Portland Planning Bureau
Jeff Joslin and the Office of Planning and Development Review
Vic Rhodes and the City of Portland Transportation Engineering and Development
Steve Rudman and the Bureau of Housing and Community Development

Citizen Advocacy, Steering Committees, Non-Profits, Community Builders and Businesses
Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Society
Community Development Network
Ecotrust
Shelly Lorenzen and the League of Women Voters
Northwest Pilot Project
Old Town/Chinatown Development Plan Steering Committee
Old Town/Chinatown Neighborhood Association
Pacific Northwest College of Art
Pearl Arts Foundation
Pearl District Development Plan Steering Committee
Pearl District Neighborhood Association
Judy Rau, Rev. John Rodgers and the Portland Organizing Project
Bob Ames and the River District Steering Committee
Spencer Beebe
Tasha Harmon
Weiden and Kennedy

Developers
John Carroll, Carroll Investments Inc.
Richard Harris and Central City Concern
Gerding/Edlen Development Company
David Bell and GSL Properties
HGW, Inc.
Homer Williams, Clay Fowler, Joseph E. Weston, Tiffany Sweitzer and Hoyt Street Properties
Rick Michaelson, Inner City Properties
Norcrest China Company, in memory of Bill Naito
Jack Onder, Onder Development
Pat Prendergast, Prendergast and Associates
Al Solheim

Architects, Landscape Architects and Private Planners
American Institute of Architects, Portland Chapter
Ankrom Moisan Associated Architects
GBD Architects
Robert Leeb Architects and Planners
Robertson, Merryman, Barnes Architects
Donald Statsny and StatsnyBrun Architects Inc.
Sumner Sharpe
Suzhou Garden Design Institute of China
Peter Walker, Landscape Architect, and Peter Walker and Partners
Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership

Financial
Naito Corp
Richard Reiten and NW Natural Gas
Don Magnusen, Roger Breezley, and US Bancorp