West Linn Waterfront Project

The West Linn Waterfront Project will develop a preferred community vision for the industrial waterfront of West Linn, to be realized through changes to the Comprehensive Plan/Zoning and development of a financing plan to support investment in the planning area.

Project Goals

Building on past planning efforts and public input, the desired outcome of the Waterfront Project is the fostering of a revitalized area that provides a diverse mix of activities and land uses, increases public access to the river, builds public amenities, attracts private investment, and celebrates the Indigenous and industrial heritage of the site.

What is this Vision Plan?

The intent of this Vision Plan is to present an inspired and achievable framework for the transformation of West Linn’s currently hidden waterfront, into a diverse and vibrant center for residents and visitors alike. The desired end goal is to remove barriers and foster investments that will allow more people to access and experience the natural beauty and cultural richness of the area, while also providing new opportunities for housing, services, and entertainment.

This framework will be used to inform changes to the Comprehensive plan, zoning, transportation system plan, and other implementation tools that will remove obstacles to desired investments and ensure public access and other desired goals of the plan are realized.

Project Timeline

The Waterfront Project builds on decades of work conducted by the community to reimagine the Waterfront. The most recent planning effort included community engagement between 2016 and 2021, that was unfortunately delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.This project marks the restart of that process. The project will take approximately 19-months and be concluded by the middle of 2025.

Over the winter of 2024, a draft vision plan was prepared using the five years of community consultation that was conducted prior to the pandemic.

Guiding Principles

Four guiding principles were developed from previous public consultation. These represent the community’s priorities for the West Linn Waterfront and were used to shape the design concepts presented in this Vision Plan.

Reinvestment Opportunities

The area will maintain its long history as a working waterfront, while creating opportunities for reinvestment in the historic heart of the community.

Key Elements

• Provide opportunities for reinvestment in the three planning districts
• Accommodate access, parking, and security for the paper mill and electric utility sites
• Land use decisions support community vision and market principles
• Set expectations and parameters through market-feasible zoning and design guidelines
• Encourage and enable private sector investment to build high quality places
• Adaptive reuse of existing buildings
• Public and private owners work together on timing of land use transitions here

Transportation Improvements

Through public and private investment, the Waterfront will safely accommodate pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and truck traffic through improved facilities and turning movements, while reducing conflicts and supporting land uses.

Key Elements

• Balanced land use and transportation design
• Livability and accessibility of nearby neighborhoods
• Preserve truck access as needed to support commercial and industrial activity
• Leverage public funds with private investment for safety and capacity improvements
• Improved local access through the area
• Creative solutions for multi-modal improvements

River Access

The community and visitors will have enhanced visual and physical opportunities to enjoy the river and falls through trails, open spaces both natural and within the built environment, and aquatic recreation.

Key Elements

• Public and private spaces woven together in a singular experience
• Views of the Willamette River and Falls
• Water quality and fish habitat protections
• Continuous trail network
• Physical access to the river’s edge

Historic Character

The community and visitors will experience a revitalized and vibrant Waterfront, while experiencing and celebrating the working and historic industrial uses and important natural, historic, and cultural resources of the area.

Key Elements

• Natural, historic, and cultural values are protected and embraced
• Respect Native American rights and traditions along the Willamette River and Falls
• Collaboration with other regional efforts
• Collaboration with efforts to repair and reopen the Willamette Falls Locks
• Support business viability and vitality
• Maximize economic connections to Willamette Main Street