Portland Waterfront Pavilion

Purpose

To move Portland forward, by moving forward together—on a foundation of collective commitment to equity, inclusion and diversity. Somehow in the process of progress and development, we can loose site of the essence of a village—a settlement of people living together, around a central gathering place, a place that reflects the health and well being of the entire community. In that spirit, and in acknowledgement of the indigenous land on which our vision rests, we set forth to establish a collaborative model for capital improvement, invested in the value of social capital and the equitable future for all people of Portland.

Vision

To create a preeminent Portland landmark—an iconic and transformative destination of aesthetic and cultural significance, a vital and sustainable gathering place that reconnects our city, community and guests with our river and to each other, and delivers an experience that is entertaining, enriching and diverse.

Mission

To engage and connect our diverse community and visitors through a uniquely Portland experience—informed by global innovation and sustained through management, operations and programming excellence.

The Goal

To reaffirm Portland as a relevant and sustainable city of the future.

Yes, Portland is a great city and yes, our back is against the wall. But adversity creates opportunity and truly great cities are defined by a fearless approach toward aesthetic and cultural significance—propelling economic growth, shaping narrative, forging equality among diverse communities and embracing the value of change.

From Chicago to Dubai, Milwaukee to Bilbao, public spaces continue to evolve from cornerstones of economic development to astonishing innovations that are at once transforming. Our place, is a beautiful city park, a natural amphitheater, uniquely situated on the river front, yet underutilized and undervalued as a center city asset. While the bones exist, inefficient use displaces potentially significant long term civic value.

Cities and towns around the world are reinventing, reengaging and revitalizing public spaces—and time and again, forward thinking, fiscally responsible projects like these have demonstrated that, when done properly, they can stimulate economic development and cultural tourism, generate incremental revenue streams and deliver benefits not only in the short term, but well into the future.

In the spirit of Chicago’s Millennium Park, we’ve set forth to create a defining destination—a lively center of world-class art, entertainment, technology, architecture and landscape design —a vital and sustainable gathering place that reconnects our city, community and guests with our river and to each other, and delivers an experience that is entertaining, enriching and diverse. We are at a juncture of tremendous opportunity. Now is the time to embrace and support with renewed enthusiasm, the value of Waterfront Park as integral to the life of our city: timeless, alive and transforming.

Portland Waterfront Pavilion, Board of Directors

IMAGINE

A vital and sustainable gathering place that celebrates our rich ethnic, cultural and artistic diversity—a safe and welcoming place for all people to gather and connect. Imagine buskers and classes and events including free performing arts that may not otherwise be accessible. Imagine a children’s play area rooted in brilliant design that sparks engagement and imagination. Access to the water, a place to sun or swim or float or kayak or paddleboat — to take a water taxi to OMSI! Imagine a market walk, world class sculpture garden, historical connection and landscape design. Imagine a place that brings alive the land and water, bridges and east bank connection. A public park as a new Portland landmark, a place to be proud of—elevating the experience and moving our city

FORWARD.

Take a Deeper Look

Portland Waterfront Pavilion Site Area map

Site Analysis

Centrally located between downtown and South Waterfront, the only river access on the west side of the river, and perhaps the most overlooked attribute: within direct eye shot of millions of people who travel the I5 corridor every year—all potential visitors.

Inspiration

The best urban placemaking, such as Millennium Park in Chicago or the recent Bicentennial Amphitheater in Columbus, reveal that the experience and vitality of the space is a matter of location, exceptional design, and creation of a critical mass of amenities and attractions that appeal to a wide variety of interests.

Portland Waterfront Pavilion Rendering Event Space Venue

Concepts

The revitalized public space will develop physical, visual, and programmatic connections that unite and combine the many environments and uses that surround the Pavilion. The completed project will revitalize the Riverplace neighborhood drawing in residents from The Douglas Apartments and guests from the Kimpton Riverplace Hotel and Marriott Downtown Waterfront. This neighborhood amenity will also bring in a wave of tourism and new customers to the Riverplace esplanade supporting local businesses with year round traffic.

“This is a recovery project. It's about all of us—our individuality, our inclusiveness, our deep rooted cultural communities, and the incredible creativity that makes Portland so unique. Cities around the world are faced with unprecedented challenges, and those that survive and thrive will be those who make calculated but bold decisions to reinvent their place and purpose. The status quo is simply no longer viable. Today, we stand as a community, to reshape the narrative and propel Portland as a diverse, innovative, and economically vibrant city of the future. Our opportunity is before us, and together we can create a shining example of how a fiscally responsible capital improvement project, can redefine the Portland in our hearts and our presence in the world. ”

— Peter Johnson, Managing Director, Portland Waterfront Pavilion

The vision for Portland Waterfront Pavilion, is rooted in the people of Portland—forged through the efforts of our diverse cultural communities, local, regional and state supporters, public and private sector leaders, world-class partners, creatives and strategists and a core of devoted backers whose vision, commitment, dedication have lead to the creation Portland Waterfront Pavilion, LLC, a 501(c)(3) non-profit. The concepts presented here are the seeds of an idea for optimizing the value of a public park through a public/private partnership that will serve to propel Portland as a city of the future. We welcome your comments, feedback and contributions.