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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 10, 2024)
January 10, 2024 Page 5 Martin Luther King Jr. 2024 Special Edition Development Funds for New Skatepark in Old Town Project Expected to Strengthen Local Economy Portland Vibrant Communi- ties Commissioner Dan Ryan, who oversees Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R), has des- ignated $15 million in System Development Charges (SDCs) to fully fund a new skatepark in the Old Town neighborhood. The park will be located near the Steel Bridge on the west side of the Willamette River. “When we have more places to play, there is a better quality of life for our city,” says Com- missioner Ryan. “Transforming part of Old Town into a citywide recreation destination will be a tremendous asset for our busi- nesses, neighbors, and visitors from all over.” Since the early 2000s, Port- land’s skating community has envisioned a premier skatepark downtown. After extensive com- munity input, the concept was advanced in PP&R’s 2008 Skate- park System Plan. “The skatepark near the Steel Bridge will be a world class attrac- tion,” says Ryan Hashagen, direc- tor of the Steel Bridge Skatepark Photos and the preliminary concept renderings are courtesy of DAO Architecture and Portland Parks & Recreation. Importantly, all current project renderings are for illustrative purposes only. The skatepark design will be informed in part by community engagement and will inevitably change. Coalition. “It will breathe life and energy into Old Town Portland. This new public park will activate the area by providing a recreation- al space for people, inclusive of all backgrounds and abilities. The Steel Bridge Skatepark Coalition of businesses, neighbors, and skate advocates is overjoyed to see Commissioner Ryan make this investment in revitalizing Down- town Portland.” “In the past few years, this proposed skatepark project has gained more and more traction as an appealing way to enliven and improve this area of downtown,” says PP&R Director Adena Long. “I am impressed by the en- thusiastic community support and look forward to realizing another important recreational opportunity for Portlanders.” Park SDCs are one-time fees assessed on new development, not General Fund tax dollars. SDCs help ensure that, as the city’s population grows, its quality of life keeps pace with its infrastructure needs. Current state law requires that SDC re- sources can only be used for im- provements that will expand the capacity of the parks and rec- reation system. In other words, SDC money cannot be used to fix or maintain current assets. The project has received sup- port from various partners. Pros- per Portland is providing $250,000 to advance the development pro- cess. The Steel Bridge Skate Co- alition has been a major advocate, and the Old Town Community Association (OTCA) has shown support for the initial concept. The concept was a collaborative effort by DAO Architecture, Lan- go Hansen Landscape Architects, and Grindline Skateparks, Inc. The innovative vision received several landscape design awards, playing a significant role in in- spiring the skatepark’s future. The City of Portland commissioned the preliminary design, ensuring it included input from both stake- holder and skateboard-focused ad- visory committees. Both the Portland Bureau of Transportation and Oregon De- partment of Transportation cur- rently manage the right-of-way where the park will be located. TriMet and Union Pacific Rail- road are involved in discussions and land use matters as well. In spring 2024, PP&R will be- gin to work with project partners on property acquisition and fea- sibility, followed by community engagement and design.
