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Metro has selected a team led by Portland-based landscape architecture firm Mayer/Reed to design a public path running through the former Blue Heron Paper Co. mill site in Oregon City.

Mayer/Reed is partnering with Norwegian firm Snohetta and Canadian firm DIALOG on the estimated $30 million project to build a riverfront path offering up-close views of Willamette Falls. The design process will kick off this summer and is expected to require 18 months, including a significant amount of time gathering public input.

The joint effort of Metro, the city of Oregon City, Clackamas County and the state of Oregon will provide public access to the falls for first time in more than 100 years via a pedestrian and bike path along the Willamette River through the ex-Blue Heron site and Portland General Electric property. The aim is catalyze redevelopment of the 23-acre industrial site that was abandoned when the Blue Heron paper mill closed in 2011.

Oregon Governor Kate Brown and other representatives of the project’s four government partners on Friday touted the effort during a reception to announce the chosen schematic design team. The event was held in a portion of the former industrial site that once served as a woolen mill.

鈥淚 think this is a great illustration of what I call, 鈥榯he Oregon way,’ people of all walks of life coming together,鈥� Brown told attendees. 鈥淲hen the Blue Heron paper mill went bankrupt it was certainly a blow to Oregon City. Four partners came together. Everyone worked together to recapture the value and the beauty of the falls. Today, we mark the next step forward for this project 鈥� It’s definitely the huge undertaking.鈥�

Several top landscape architecture and urban design teams vied for the chance to design the Willamette Falls Riverwalk, but the one featuring Mayer/Reed, Snohetta and DIALOG stood out by bringing a unique perspective, Metro councilor Carlotta Collette said.

鈥淔rom the beginning of this project, we were hoping to have an international design competition,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e kept using that word 鈥榳orld-class attraction.’ When this team came forward, the way they approached it collaboratively, they had the heart and spirit of the local love for the site, but the international cache as well.鈥�

Mayer/Reed partner Carol Mayer-Reed said she’s long been captivated by Willamette Falls and was intrigued by the opportunity to make the natural wonder that has been obscured by decades of nearby industrial use more publicly accessible. She described the falls as 鈥渁n incredible jewel that was buried in plain sight.鈥�

鈥淚 always wondered whether there would be a time for me to play (a) role in changing its future,鈥� Mayer-Reed said.

Mayer/Reed is collaborating with Snohetta on the James Beard Public Market project in Portland and Mayer-Reed said she’s pleased the firms will have a chance to partner again on the Willamette Falls Riverwalk. DIALOG has designed a number of waterfront redevelopment projects in Canada and will also bring great expertise to the team, she said.

Snohetta is partnering with the Canadian firm on the Calgary Central Library in Alberta, which is currently under construction.

Designers from all three teams are eager to get to work on the project and have plenty of ideas already, Mayer-Reed said.

鈥淥ur minds are on fire,鈥� she said.

Although exactly how the design of the project will shake out hasn’t been determined and will take into account public input, it will certainly respect the long history of the site and its connection to Oregon City, Mayer-Reed said.

鈥淚’m inspired by the layers of history,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he site is like an archaeological dig. It’s probably one of the most difficult projects any one of us will work on. There is just so much enthusiasm and support for it. It’s just great to be a part of it.鈥�

Michelle Delk, Snohetta’s director of landscape architecture, said firm staffers found out about the project though Mayer/Reed and after a visit to the former industrial site were immediately hooked on the possibility of reimagining what it could be next.

鈥淚t’s just incredible,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t’s one of those projects that just moves you as a landscape architect.鈥�

George Heidgerken, the Tacoma, Wash., developer who owns the ex-Blue Heron site, said he agreed to allow the path to go through the property and contributed $1 million to the effort because it will serve as a draw to the area. The public path will support his plans to potentially build a hotel and restaurants on the site and set the tone for those future developments, he said.

鈥淢etro has to finish what they’re doing first,鈥� Heidgerken said. 鈥淲e’ve got to make it blend. We want a project that really, truly expresses the history of Oregon (and) that makes it a fun place to go to.鈥�

Carol Pauli, city commissioner for Oregon City, said during Friday’s reception at the site that the Willamette Falls Riverwalk project is the first step to reintegrating the area back into downtown.

鈥淲here we stand was once Main Street urban grid,鈥� she said. 鈥淒owntown Oregon City was located here. There were barber shops, restaurants and an opera. It’s amazing to think of this once again becoming part of Main Street.鈥�