CULLY PARK Remediating the Willamette Waterfront of Portland Kelsey Windrum Design Thesis Studio 572 Primary Advisor: Jason Kost Secondary Advisor: Dominic Fischer CULLY PARK Remediating the Willamette Waterfront of Portland A Design Thesis Submitted to the Department of Architecture and Landscape Architecture of North Dakota State University By Kelsey M. Windrum In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Primary Thesis Advisor Secondary Thesis Advisor May 14, 2015 Fargo, North Dakota Introduction This thesis program is a waterfront greenway project focused on the remediation of the Willamette riverfront of Portland, Oregon. The following work has been a year long process of research, inventory, analysis, and design divided and shared between a fall and spring semester. Final design outcomes have been revised from beginning material and design processes displayed throughout this book.
Table of Contents Chapter One: Introduction Abstract 1 Statement of Intent 2 Chapter Two: Project Typology & Literature Review Project Typology 3 Research Questions 4 Research Hypothesis 5 Case Studies 6 Critical Evaluation of Cited Papers 16 Chapter Three: Methodology Approach to Research 20 Site Introduction 21 Client/User Description 24 Data Measures 25 Chapter Four: Results Research Findings 27 Applicable Site Values 34 Plan for Proceeding 35 Design Goals 36 Chapter Five: Site Inventory Site Inventory 37 Chapter Six: Discussion Discussion 58 Chapter Seven: Design Development Analysis/Vision 59 Master Plan 63 Site Plan/Details 67 Chapter Eight: References References 79 Chapter One: Introduction Abstract This thesis is a remediation greenway project with an emphasis on waterfront revitalization and phytoremediation. Researched greenways focus on the conservation, recreation, and non-motorized transportation of a maintained corridor of protected open space, however, very little research focuses on the incorporation of phytoremediation into these protected greenways. This thesis’s research explores the relationship between phytoremediation and a waterfront park through studied principles comprising of: ecological movement, remediation educational practices, and transportation and circulation connections. These aspects are implemented through the design of a multi-level park, linking the Willamette River in the South Waterfront District of Portland to existing trail systems and the urban community of Downtown Portland.
01 CULLY PARK Statement of Intent Rivers are primary resources across the world for food, drinking water, travel, wildlife habitat, connecting cities, and aesthetic appeal. Waterways are vital to the communities they are present in and have large impacts on the environment. The Willamette River has been a strong resource originating in the Cascade Mountains south and southeast of Eugene and Springfield, Oregon, before flowing north into Salem and finally through Portland, Oregon where it merges with the Columbia River. For several years now, the Willamette River has been undermined and polluted to the point of non-reliable resources for the environment.
Portland, Oregon, is a large urban hub along the west coast of the United States. Setting a precedent for a “green” community since being established in 1851,Portland gives priority to bicyclists, pedestrians, and neighborhood communities in the city through their use of greenways, and complete streets. The Willamette River, being such a major, polluted river flowing through the city, de tracts from Portland’s waterfront destination potential. As landscape architects, we are able to take advantage of this and remediate the water while creating ecological connections through trail systems and corridors.
The physical connection of the Willamette River in the South Waterfront District and downtown Portland through a park and trail system is the basis of this thesis project. Designing a trail system to connect to the city’s existing greenway systems along the Willamette Riverfront will create a go-to destination while enhancing the growth of the South Waterfront District. The South Waterfront District is expanding at an enormous rate and is in dire need for public space and trail connections to those currently there. Healing the river through rhizofiltration processes within the greenway will establish a stable and interactive destination for the city of Portland, Oregon.
02 Chapter Two: Project Typology & Literature Review Project Typology • Phytoremediation Reclamation Greenway • Waterfront Revitalization Waterfronts play a large, important role for the history of the United States; starting out as ports for ships to escape strong storms, then used for travel and food transporting uses. Today, waterfronts are go-to destinations that bring recreational purposes for many people to enjoy. This phytoremediation reclamation greenway will revitalize the Willamette Riverfront while establishing a go to destination as the entryway into Portland, Oregon. Rhizofiltration is a form of phytoremediation that will be used in this thesis to filter water through a mass of roots to remove toxic substances or excess nutrients from the ground water and river water from the Willamette River.
03 CULLY PARK Research Questions How can this thesis project successfully become a destination in Portland and connect the gap in the existing park and trail systems while remediating the Willamette waterfront? • How effective is the use of phytoremediation for removing contaminants? • Does phytoremediation vegetation have to be harvested? • Which contaminants should be concentrated on extracting from the Willamette River? • How important is the diversity of transportation paths? • How will a strong sense of entrance enhance existing greenway connections? • What design elements encourage people to stay on site short and long term? • Will closing the gap between the existing greenways increase pedestrian traffic on site? 04 Research Hypothesis By incorporating phytoremediation into this greenway, wildlife habitats, and Willamette River uses will increase by 75% within the next fifty years, as well as physical health of pedestrians through alternate forms of transportation. I expect that this connection between Cully Park’s remediation greenway and the existing greenways on either side of it will complete the balance between natural and built environments to develop the South Waterfront District further and bring a diverse set of users to the area. This multi modal greenway will attract people to the site while the harvesting gardens will educate them on possibilities for future design in Portland and nationwide. Finally, the riverfront access will re-establish recreational elements to the Willamette River and serve as a hub for kayakers and fishermen to come to.
05 CULLY PARK Case Study Project Name: South Waterfront Greenway Project Location: South Waterfront District in Portland, Oregon Date Designed/Planned: December 8, 2004 Constructed Completed-Construction Cost: Under Construction (Open to public in spring 2015) Size: 4.7 Million Dollars Landscape Architect(s) Client/Developer: Patty Freeman: Walker-Macy Landscape Architects Allison Rouse, Irene Bowers: Portland Parks and Recreation (Project Managers) Portland Development Commission Consultants/Architects Managed By: Portland Parks and Recreation Portland Development Commission https://www.gov/parks/article/175890 06 Context: Portland’s south waterfront is located in central Portland along its busy, downtown urban hub and the waterfront of the Willamette River. The Willamette River has always played a central role in the history and growth of Portland, Oregon. This waterfront has become more important in recent history as it has been introduced to many different wildlife habitats, open spaces, and recreational resources for the community to come to. Not only does this waterfront foster a sense of place for the city, but it also is a source for travel destinations for outside visitors to enter the city.
The city of Portland was started originally by the Willamette River in 1843, but then it was called Oregon Country. In 1845 the city name was switched to Portland and on February 8, 1851 Portland was official incorporated into a city. Portland was most popularly known to American, Canadian, and British traders, trappers, and settlers back in the 1830’s to early 40’s as a what was a small stopping place along the west bank of the Willamette River who were in route between Oregon City (now Portland) and Vancouver. In the late 19th century a huge fire broke through and burnt down 20 blocks of downtown Portland along the Willamette River causing damages payable up to 1.5 million dollars in repairs.
Shortly after receiving its nickname of “the most filthy city in the northern states” due to its poor sewer and drainage systems, Portland gained recognition for the positive by hosting the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition, A World’s Fair, which then lead to a double increase in population and residential development. Eventually there was a large boom in the city due to its abundant nature, urban growth boundaries, cheaper rents, and opportunities for work. Since then, the south waterfront has been a perfect target for greenway systems, but left untouched for several years until 1966. The concept of a Willamette Greenway took root in the governor’s race in 1966 between Tom McCall and Robert Straub.
For the large governor’s race each had different ideas for the Willamette River redesign, but both agreed that a greenway system was a necessity for the city of Portland and possibly further south for larger connections as well. After the race for governor was over, Tom McCall won and the Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) established boundaries for the Willamette Greenway. Since then three regional parks and forty-three access areas have been created. Since this time, the public perception of greenways and the importance of such systems have improved tremendously which has helped to create such a green city.
“On November 11, 2004 the Portland City Council adopted the city’s River Renaissance Vision which embraced the Willamette River as the city’s front yard and sets the broad range of goals for how Portland embraces the concept of what role greenways play in the future development of the city” (Francesconi et al. Today Southwest Portland is under construction to develop the greenway along the Willamette Riverfront to be completed in the spring of 2015. 07 CULLY PARK Site Analysis: Portland, Oregon is bordering Vancouver, Washington to the North with the Columbia River flowing between the two states, and Beaverton, Oregon to the south. The Willamette River originates in the mountains south/southeast of Eugene and Springfield, Oregon before flowing directly through downtown Portland before meeting up with the Columbia River to the north.
This project specifically is located along the western bank of the Willamette River in the South Waterfront District of Portland, Oregon. The South Waterfront District is approximately 130 acres located adjacent to the city’s central district just south of the Marquam Bridge in Southwest Portland. The actual greenway design will be 20 acres in area taking up 1.2 miles of the riverfront. “Combined, the greenway and district create one of the most exciting design and development opportunities in Portland to date.
The district has the potential to reflect our commitment to both a high-density urban community and exemplary treatment of the banks of the Willamette River.” (Francesconi et al. Project Background and History: The South Waterfront District has been a part of Portland since the early 20th century and has been in the works for a greenway design since the mid 1960’s. Starting out as part of the governor’s race in 1966, the greenway system was developed as part of election goals. Since the election of the governor Tom McCall, the greenway design has become a realistic goal for the city of Portland and a public vision for the community.
In 2002, the South Waterfront Plan was adopted as the land use plan for the area of the South Waterfront District in Portland. The South Waterfront Plan and the Zoning Code for South Waterfront were officially adopted on November 13, 2002 to the City Council and call for “10,000 jobs and a minimum of 3000 housing units to be added to the district by the year 2019. The area is expected to be a vibrant mix of offices, educational and medical facilities, condominiums and apartments, retail uses, urban plaza, a neighborhood park and an exemplary riverfront greenway” (Francesconi et al. Following this plan’s adoption into the city council, they also adopted the Phase One Report to Council on the Project Goals in 2003, recommending the Parks Bureau take the lead on the development of the greenway plan.