Walk down Main Street in historic Oregon City, and you’ll reach a dead-end at a complex of hollow industrial buildings. This former paper mill separates Oregonians from one of the state’s scenic and cultural treasures: Willamette Falls, roaring through the river just out of view.
But not forever. A new blueprint lays the groundwork to transform the property, reconnecting Oregonians with the Falls while creating jobs and buzz in Oregon City.
Under a framework plan up for approval by the city commission, the 22-acre site would be rezoned for a public destination along the waterfront and a mix of shops, restaurants, offices and housing. As much as 835,000 square feet of new mixed-use development could rise on the longtime mill site – more total floor space than the Moda Center or Bridgeport Village. A network of walking- and biking-friendly streets would link the new Willamette Falls District with the rest of downtown Oregon City.
Thousands of Oregonians have weighed in on the future of the land since Blue Heron Paper Co. closed in 2011. The property generated strong public interest, not only because it provides a front-row seat to the most powerful waterfall in the Pacific Northwest, but also because it is an important Native American cultural site and the birthplace of industry in Oregon. Oregon City, Metro, Clackamas County and the State of Oregon teamed up to explore possibilities.
The master plan is expected to be approved this summer, solidifying a community vision and clearing barriers to redevelopment. It gives a developer flexibility to put its mark on the property, with the opportunity to build everything from hotels to health clubs, museums to markets, offices to light industrial buildings.
Some things aren’t negotiable: Developers have to reflect the site’s natural setting and industrial history. Make it easy to walk and bike. Blend in with downtown Oregon City, while creating a unique sense of place in the new waterfront district. Preserve key historic structures when it’s feasible – and, when it’s not, incorporate artifacts into the design. Promote healthy habitat along the Willamette River. And build something that will last.