West Linn council discusses Oppenlander, Parker Road and waterfront vision funding

Councilors spent the opening portion of the Nov. 17 work session discussing parks acquisition and waterfront-area projects. Staff presented a bundled parks acquisition category with a placeholder estimate of $10 million "as a sense of scale" to cover possible purchases such as Oppenlander or to seed work at the Parker Road property the city already owns.

Councilor Leo Groener said the Oppenlander opportunity may require a decision within approximately a year, while other items (such as improvements in Kenner Creek) can be deferred. Council and staff discussed trade-offs: acquisition increases ongoing operations and maintenance needs, which would require additional staff or funding if new parkland is added to the portfolio. Council and staff also discussed a lower-cost Parker Road option that would focus on creating a gathering space (food carts/gathering plaza, restrooms and associated site work) rather than a full recreation center; staff estimated a modest Parker Road buildout could be in the low millions.

On waterfront items, staff reminded the council the waterfront vision plan will be heard at the next meeting and that many waterfront parcels are privately owned; councilors discussed urban renewal/TIF and potential transportation grants as likely sources for waterfront improvements, and noted that remediation work for the sludge ponds would likely involve the Department of Environmental Quality. Council asked staff to scope specific projects for Parker Road and Oppenlander, identify likely funding sources (bond, grants, TIF) and return with cost and readiness estimates.