Vision for the South Waterfront
“The Neighborhood in the Year 2020…
The South Waterfront District is a vibrant urban neighborhood. The area derives its
character, identity and attractiveness from its exemplary riverfront and high quality open
space system; its compact, mixed-use developments; and significant employment
opportunities. The district is a desirable location for jobs and residences because of its
unique riverfront location and strong connections to other Central City neighborhoods.
It features an efficient, well-planned and integrated transportation network that serves an
eclectic and well-designed mix of buildings and open space. Densities are exceeded only
by the nearby downtown, yet the district’s architecture and design carefully incorporate
human-scale elements and tremendous river views.
The Willamette River and greenway are the focus of the district and support a variety of
users and activities and a diverse range of experiences throughout South Waterfront.
The greenway is a showcase, blending nature into an urban setting. Its exemplary
riverbank establishes a standard for stabilization and enhances habitat for fish and
wildlife. Thanks to improvements to the South Waterfront riverfront, in combination with
Oaks Bottom and a restored Ross Island, this portion of the Willamette River now
supports conditions that enable native fish and wildlife to thrive.
Public access along the riverfront greenway complements private residential and
commercial buildings oriented to their spectacular riverfront location. The greenway
connects urban uses, commercial enterprises, public parks and plazas to adjacent
neighborhoods. Special care has been taken to enhance and integrate natural resource
values, views and a contemplative character within the greenway, and to accommodate
adjacent uses, allow opportunities to access the river and support river health. All of this
has been accomplished while providing a continuous pedestrian and bicycle trail that
provides pleasant and safe opportunities for recreation and commuting.
The district integrates natural resource planning into its redevelopment. Ecologically-friendly approaches to stormwater management (such as eco-roofs and landscaped
swales) and enhancement of the natural system for fish and wildlife produce widespread
benefits for water and air quality and create an attractive place to live and work.
“Green” pedestrian and bicycle accessways incorporate swales, visually and functionally connecting the urban interior of the district with the natural elements of the
riverfront.
The South Waterfront District provides a significant number and wide range of
employment opportunities. A full range of businesses are present, from incubator to
emerging businesses to corporate headquarters, all with opportunities to grow in the
district. Many of the businesses are in technology-related fields, including medical and
biotechnology connections with Marquam Hill. A diverse array of neighborhood
residents, including people working in service jobs, managers and professionals have
access to local jobs and take advantage of the opportunity to live close to work. South
Waterfront continues to contribute to the city’s share of regional job growth and to the
vibrancy and vitality of the Central City.
The South Waterfront District is a diverse, inclusive riverfront neighborhood. The mix of
incomes, household types, age, and race of residents generally reflect the diversity found
in the city as a whole and is balanced with local employment opportunities. The specific
housing needs of a full spectrum of residents were considered throughout the
development of the district and are well served. The challenge of creating a
public/private collaboration to finance and build an array of housing that is sufficiently
affordable has been met with dramatic success.
South Waterfront provides many of the day to day recreational and commercial needs of
residents and people who work in the district, as well as visitors. Retail opportunities are
varied and support local residents and workers. Community meeting spaces are well
integrated into the district and the Corbett-Terwilliger-Lair Hill neighborhood.
Local access and circulation are provided by a balanced mix of transit, pedestrian,
bicycle and other modes, including automobiles. Mixed-use development is well served
by a transit system that includes buses, streetcar and light rail service. Congestion at the
portals to the district has been resolved. An integrated street network creates a safe and
efficient environment for pedestrians, cyclists, transit and cars. Parking is adequate, but
limited in quantity and designed to be subordinate to the high-quality urban environment
created by buildings, open spaces, and the river.
In summary, South Waterfront is a urban, energetic riverfront community that fits its role
and location in Portland’s Central City.”
Quoted from “The South Waterfront Plan” page 29-30
http://www.portlandonline.com/bps/index.cfm?&a=59769
Portland’s Bureau of Planning’s Objectives for the South Waterfront
The following information has been quoted from the “The South Waterfront Plan”
- Support the role of the district as the southern gateway to the downtown urban core.
- Promote building forms that respect the relationship of the district to the river and the adjacent neighborhoods.
- Provide physical and visual connections to the Willamette River from both the district and the adjoining neighborhoods.
- Integrate natural resource values related to water quality, stormwater, and fish and wildlife habitat into the district’s infrastructure and urban form.
- Recognize the historic elements of the district as it transitions from an industrial area to an urban mixed-use neighborhood.
- Support development types and uses that encourage trips other than by single occupancy vehicles.
- Promote pedestrian-oriented development that reinforces connections to transit facilities and the greenway and parks.
- Encourage a complementary mix of housing, employment, retail, open space, recreational and institutional facilities.
- Provide for 10,000 jobs and at least 3,000 housing units by 2019.
- Provide at least 800 units of housing that would be affordable to households earning less than 120% of median family income (MFI) for the region, with at least 375 of these units affordable to those earning less than 50% of median family income.
- Create housing throughout the district that is attractive and affordable to a broad range of households and incomes.
- Encourage housing opportunities for those employed in the district and nearby job centers.
- Promote both ownership and rental housing options.
- Attract job-intensive businesses that support family-wage incomes.
Quoted from “The South Waterfront Plan” page 29-30
http://www.portlandonline.com/bps/index.cfm?&a=59769
Portland’s Bureau of Planning River Renaissance Vision
“The South Waterfront greenway is a physical expression of the City’s River Renaissance
vision, a vision that articulates Portland’s desire for a sustainable future in which goals
for environmental, economic and social health are in harmony. The vision imagines a
healthy Willamette River in which a natural river system thrives and coexists with
prosperous industry and vibrant business districts and neighborhoods. As a newly
redeveloping subdistrict of the Central City, South Waterfront presents an unprecedented
opportunity to deliver on all these fronts.
The City, through the River Renaissance vision, has expressed a strong commitment to
revitalize the Willamette River and its watersheds through five themes:
- Ensure a clean and healthy river for fish, wildlife, and people.
- Maintain and enhance a prosperous working harbor.
- Embrace the river as Portland’s “front yard.”
- Create vibrant waterfront districts and neighborhoods.
- Promote partnerships, leadership and education.”
Quoted from “The South Waterfront Plan” page 61-62
http://www.portlandonline.com/bps/index.cfm?&a=59769