Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sharon Nesbitt Heritage Park trail nears completion; city readies ribbon-cutting plans
Summary
City staff reported the Sharon Nesbitt Heritage Park and riverfront trail are nearing completion, with most trail infrastructure in place and an anticipated contractor demobilization in October; the overall project is expected to cost just over $5 million and will include three play areas, an observation deck and a future bike hub.
City staff updated the council on construction progress at Sharon Nesbitt Heritage Park and the adjoining riverfront trail, reporting the project is nearly complete and should be substantially finished by September with contractor demobilization expected in October.
Project highlights - Presenter noted the project is the city's largest public infrastructure undertaking in about 15 years and that "we're gonna be slightly over $5,000,000 when we're done." Staff described paved trail segments, three separate play areas, an observation deck over the river, lighting, landscaping and an under-railroad protected pathway with a steel cage and side screens to prevent debris from trains. - The trail connects downtown to the Chuck'Chuck Trail and I-84 Bridge approaches, completing a paved portion of a larger 40-mile regional loop. The design aims to reflect historic Columbia River Highway motifs in railing and arch details.
Schedule and near-term work - Staff said most of the trail paving is finished and that decking on the bridge and remaining details will be completed within weeks; the contractor expects to be off-site by October. - The city has 100% design for an adjacent bike hub (estimated cost about $2,500,000) and is pursuing potential outside funding and a parking lot to support the hub.
Community considerations - Staff and council discussed graffiti on railroad-owned structures and said they will coordinate with the railroad and ODOT to address cleanup prior to a public ribbon-cutting. - Staff invited councilors to schedule site tours once decking and safety features are installed (staff recommended waiting about two weeks when decking work completes).
Status on development and next steps - Staff said the city is finishing an exclusive negotiation agreement (ENA) with development partners but noted the public park and trail will be completed regardless of development outcomes. - The city will coordinate a ribbon-cutting event and notify council and the public when construction milestones make a public tour appropriate.
Ending - Council members and staff expressed enthusiasm for the trail's near-term public opening and asked staff to pursue graffiti cleanup with the railroad and to coordinate a community ribbon-cutting when the site is safe for public access.
