Site: Willamette Cove

The Willamette Cove property and adjacent river were fully occupied by industry for several decades which resulted in contamination issues that are being investigated and cleaned up by Metro and the Port of Portland. An investigation and risk assessment of the upland areas is being overseen by the DEQ. The investigation and clean up of the Willamette River adjacent to the Willamette Cove property will be managed by the EPA. The DEQ has determined that an area of unacceptable risk to site visitors exists at the western portion of the property due to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in these soils.

Site: Steel Hammer

The Willamette Cove property and adjacent river were fully occupied by industry for several decades which resulted in contamination issues that are being investigated and cleaned up by Metro and the Port of Portland. An investigation and risk assessment of the upland areas is being overseen by the DEQ. The investigation and clean up of the Willamette River adjacent to the Willamette Cove property will be managed by the EPA. The DEQ has determined that an area of unacceptable risk to site visitors exists at the western portion of the property due to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in these soils.

Site: Cathedral Park

Cathedral Park is an urban oasis where people commune with nature in Portland. The tranquility of the park, at certain moments, is remarkable. The 23-acre park links the historic St. Johns neighborhood in North Portland to the Willamette River and is enhanced by beach and boating access. The historic St. Johns Bridge, iconic, muscular and elegant, towers above and anchors the park that received its name from the soaring gothic arches. Bridge and landscape are truly one at Cathedral Park.

The vision of the master plan is to allow for increased use of the park without compromising the essential character-defining features of the river and bridge. The continued success of the park requires upgrading certain facilities and use areas, while balancing the protection and improvement of natural resources and meeting the needs of future visitors.

Cathedral Park Master Plan

Cathedral Park Master Plan

Site: Green Anchors

The mission of Green Anchors is to become a self sustaining entity that will play a significant role in the reuse of an urban brownfield site in Portland, Oregon. Green Anchors will operate an eco-industrial business park dedicated to the incubation and support of innovative enterprises which contribute to the social, economic, and environmental sustainability of the community. Green Anchors, working with artists, businesses, community agencies, schools, and non-profit organizations, will develop and conduct an array of educational programs focused on brownfield reuse and community revitalization. Green Anchors will bring vitality to our community by engaging citizens in a variety of workshops, internships, and special events, which highlight sustainable business models and practices in a collaborative environment. We plan to develop a model that can be replicated at other underutilized urban sites locally and around the country.

A remediated WWII shipyard, this beautiful site is home to many small businesses and artists who work out of temporary structures to sit lightly on the land. Temporary space is available for rent year-round and is an ideal space for construction projects of all kinds, including tiny home building. Historically, urban industrial sites have served as anchors of their communities, providing jobs and weaving rich social bonds. As many of Portland’s plants have closed, these sites have been abandoned to lay fallow as vacant brownfields. Communities are having to come to terms with this legacy, which has also come with a loss of diversity in workforce skills and wages. Reversing the resulting economic and cultural drain demands creative cross-sector public private partnerships. Recent shifts in industry have carved out significant room for innovation. Many new sustainable industries have sprung up to mitigate the environmental costs of pollution, to reuse/renew resources, and to re-purpose traditional industrial byproducts. However, high startup costs for new industries, limited access to capital, and tightening regulations create the need for a shared support infrastructure, one that will ensure a place to foster the growth of sustainable industries in Portland. Green Anchors PDX envisions establishing a regional center, located on a remediated brownfield, to incubate sustainable and socially responsible economic development.