Updated River Plan Status Report and Timeline

Overview of Issues
The River Concept outlines the City’s aspiration for the Greenway Trail as, “Over time, using a variety of tools, a continuous trail will be developed along both sides of the Willamette River that complements the existing and planned riverfront uses and recognizes the vital contribution that river-proximate industrial uses make to Portland’s economy.”
River Plan staff and the Greenway Trail Alignment and Design Task Group members have identified and discussed the following key issues related to trail policy and development:

• Greenway Trail defined. What is the Greenway Trail and how is it distinguished from other trail systems in the City? It is currently referred to as a recreational trail but functions as a multi-purpose facility, focused on the river, used by commuters and nearby employees.
• Industrial Interface. The proposed trail alignment is currently located away from the river in many locations, deferring to the desired long-term presence of a working harbor. Should a river-proximate trail be considered on industrial sites that do not use the river?
• Implementation. Should the trail alignment be aspirational, embodying a long-term vision, or should it be strategic, focusing only on areas that are attainable in the short term? Should regulations be used to get the trail built by property owners, or should the City build the trail, perhaps requiring only the dedication of an easement from a property owner? Any regulatory solution must address relevant legal decisions that require governments to demonstrate that there is an adopted plan for the trail and that the required dedication and improvements are fair and balanced, given the anticipated impacts of the development.

Progress to Date

• In the Fall of 2005, River Plan staff convened a Greenway Trail Alignment Task Group that included trail advocates, industrial advocates, property owners and City staff. The task group
• The River Plan–North Reach Status Report. Revised April 11, 2007 met five times to advise River Plan staff on trail alignment locations and policies, access ways to the river, and viewpoint locations.
• Staff developed a draft Willamette Greenway Trail Alignment Proposal, which was presented to the River Plan Committee in August, 2006. Staff compiled comments on the draft proposal from members of the task group, River Plan committee and the public.
• The Greenway Trail Task Group met a sixth time on February 21, 2007 to review trail designs and illustrations.

Next Steps
Staff will revise the draft greenway trail proposal to incorporate trail design concepts and an updated trail alignment. This proposal will be presented to the River Plan Committee on May 15, 2007.

Contact Info
Shannon Buono, Bureau of Planning, River Plan Task Group Chair: 503-823-7662 or shannon.buono@ci.portland.or.us