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Crews will break ground next month on the first major infrastructure project to transform St. Helens‘ waterfront.

The Streets and Utilities Extension Project will improve key streets and intersections in the historic Riverfront District, increase parking and create pedestrian connections in the area, and extend utilities on the city’s 24-acre riverfront property. The project’s first phase is estimated to cost $15.7 million.

Moore Excavation Inc. is the contractor for the project, Otak is the project engineer, and Mayer/Reed is the landscape architect.

MEI is still looking for subcontractors for the project. Anyone interested should contact its office for more information.

鈥淭he Riverfront District is an area that unites key elements of historic, cultural, civic, economic and natural significance for the St. Helens community,鈥� St. Helens Public Works Director Mouhamad Zaher stated in an email.

The city, through its Waterfront Redevelopment Project, is aiming to tie together the Riverfront District to the north, direct access to the Columbia River and Multnomah Channel to the east, residential districts to the west, and the region’s largest remaining piece of available industrial land to the south. The project will set the groundwork for the city’s future efforts to redevelop approximately 275 acres of riverfront property, with a goal of reconnecting the community to the waterfront, promoting the city’s economic health, and improving the environment.

The riverfront property sits along the Columbia River, in the heart of the Riverfront District. It formerly held the Boise Cascade veneer plant until its closure in 2008. The property remained under private ownership until 2015.

Improvement efforts will first focus on the intersection of South First Street and St. Helens Street. A new design will improve traffic flow, make safer pedestrian crossings safer, and add benches and other amenities.

Also, the intersection of South First Street and Cowlitz Street will be redesigned, Cowlitz Street will be extended onto riverfront property with a roundabout feature, Strand Street will be redesigned to improve traffic safety and create a plaza above Columbia View Park, South First Street will be extended to the Tualatin Street stairs, a bluff trail will be created along the west side of the riverfront property that extends from South First Street to Nob Hill Nature Park and Plymouth Street, underground utilities will be extended through the riverfront property, gaps in existing sidewalks will be filled, and landscaping will be added.

Phase one of the Streets and Utilities Extension Project is expected to be complete in late 2024.