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Residents ask West Linn to preserve historic tugboat 'Lady B' and form 'Friends of Oppenlander'
Summary
Two members of the public urged council action: Jim Edwards requested city storage and a fundraising campaign to preserve the 77‑year‑old tugboat 'Lady B' with an estimated $200,000 budget, and Dean Sir outlined a newly formed Friends of Oppenlander group exploring fundraising and a public‑private partnership for a school property.
Speakers during the public‑comment portion of the Dec. 9 West Linn City Council meeting urged the city to help preserve two local assets.
Jim Edwards, who identified himself as a West Linn resident of 30 years, presented a history and preservation plan for the historic tugboat known as the Lady B. Edwards described the vessel as a 77‑year‑old, 39‑foot all‑steel tug that towed logs through local locks and mills and said advocates received the boat from Wilsonville Concrete in December 2021. He said advocates prepared an estimated $200,000 budget for a permanent display that would cover design, permits, lead‑paint mitigation, handicap access and long‑term maintenance; advocates have raised $25,000 in grants and commissioned a hazardous‑materials assessment that found lead paint but no asbestos.
Edwards said advocates had sought a storage solution and in September 2023 formally asked the city to take ownership and store the vessel while a permanent display and funding were found; he asked the council to consider city storage options (he suggested Old Bolton fire station had been discussed) or otherwise to support a fundraising campaign aimed at the $200,000 goal. “The advocates propose that the permanent facility be near the restrooms at Willamette Park at the Bernard Landing,” Edwards said, and he noted the advocacy group’s plan assumes it will raise funds and that the permanent location would require no city funds.
Dean Sir, identified as a West Linn resident, said he had helped found Friends of Oppenlander, a public‑benefit charity formed to consider bridging gaps between bond proceeds and the school district’s negotiations if the district chooses to sell the property. Sir said the group is exploring public‑private partnership options and requested city assistance identifying rules and next steps for fundraising and potential property transfer.
Council members thanked the speakers and asked staff to revisit both topics in 2025. The City Manager noted both Lady B and Oppenlander were likely to return to the council’s agenda next year for further discussion of storage, funding and procedural steps.
What’s next: Staff will coordinate with the mayor and council about appropriate next steps for further discussion in 2025, including possible site, insurance and legal reviews for Lady B and further conversation about Friends of Oppenlander’s funding questions.
