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An architectural study of land near Willamette Falls that was commissioned by the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde found potential for mixed-use commercial development along with cultural gathering places and ecological restoration.

The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde have expressed interest in reconnecting tribal members with the falls and restoring natural habitat. Yet the 23-acre property that fronts downtown Oregon City has long been regarded as also holding commercial value.

Potential development could include office, hospitality, institutional or educational spaces, along with tribal spaces, public gathering spots, restaurants, retail and a long-imagined riverwalk, according to the tribal group.

鈥淎cquiring the property at Willamette Falls let us reclaim part of our history and allowed us to once again become stewards of the land and the falls,鈥� Cheryle A. Kennedy, chairwoman of the Confederated Tribes, stated in a news release. 鈥淣ow, we head into the future with a vision for this land that helps heal it and revitalize it while telling our story and sharing our history.鈥�

The group purchased the former Blue Heron Paper Mill property from Washington developer George Heidgerken in August 2019. The defunct mill suffered major damage in a December 2020 fire.

The study, first reported by KGW, envisions both an 鈥渦rban, city-like setting鈥� set back from the water and a 鈥渕ore natural, restored environment鈥� at the river’s edge. Improvements may include beneficial salmon habitat, restored off-channel alcoves and restored topography of the falls itself.

鈥淚n the northern portion of the site, closer to downtown Oregon City and above the flood zone, there is relatively modest benefit of landscape restoration,鈥� architecture firms GBD Architects and Walker Macy stated in the visioning study. 鈥淭his area appears to have good potential for mixed-use development that can visually and physically connect to restore landscape areas along the river.鈥�

Tribal officials said any new development would reflect the story of the Confederated Tribes and its historical and cultural ties to Willamette Falls.

Since acquiring the property, the tribal group has worked with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to remediate environmental degradation at the site. The group expects to soon begin a master planning process.