PROJECT: St. Helens Riverwalk, phase 1

LOCATION: St. Helens

SIZE: one half mile

START DATES: March 2021 (design), April 2024 (construction)

COMPLETION DATE: June 2025 (phase 1)

COST: $3 million (construction)

OWNER/DEVELOPER: city of St. Helens

PROJECT MANAGER/PRIME CONSULTANT: Mayer/Reed

GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Advanced Excavating Specialists

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: Mayer/Reed

ENGINEERS: Otak, PAE, NV5

OTHER ASSOCIATES/CONSULTANTS: Archaeological Investigations Northwest, Architectural Cost Consultants, Naughton Communications, Pacific Habitat Services

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The grand opening of a linear park on Thursday marked a major milestone in the city of St. Helens’ mission to transform 24 acres of former industrial land into a vibrant mixed-use River District.

A half-mile stretch of former industrial land along the Columbia River has become a public amenity. The design emphasizes sustainability, habitat restoration and integration with the city’s broader trail and open space networks. Mayer/Reed designed the entire corridor up to 30 percent before shifting its focus to final design and implementation of phase 1, which was built by Advanced Excavating Specialists.

Key features of phase 1 include improvements to Columbia View Park, approximately 300 feet of riverwalk, interpretive signage, stepped seawalls, scenic overlooks, improved riparian and shallow water habitat for fish and wildlife, and links to Columbia County’s waterfront trail system and the new Columbia View Circle.

Funding is needed to complete phase 2, which will include construction of an amphitheater stage and playground in Columbia View Park. Central and southern riverwalk sections will feature beach access, a plaza, an accessible gangway to a launch and dock for light watercraft, a picnic area, and a large, cantilevered overlook.

The riverwalk is a key component of St. Helens’ broader Waterfront Redevelopment Project, which includes the simultaneous design and construction of the Streets and Utilities Extension Project, led by Otak. This project will provide multimodal connectivity between downtown, the Columbia River and the future River District.

“Building Blocks” spotlights noteworthy projects either under construction or approaching the start of construction. To submit a project for consideration, please visit: djcoregon.com/building-blocks.

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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.

“The Riverfront District is an area that unites key elements of historic, cultural, civic, economic and natural significance for the St. Helens community,” 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.

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