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Commission discusses bridges, trails and heritage projects; lighting and inspections pending
Summary
Commissioners flagged future preservation projects — heritage-tree recording, waterfall interpretation, and Troutdale/Stark Street bridge recognition — and reported trail lighting is installed but Union Pacific inspection remains before public opening, which staff hopes will be around April 15.
Commission members used the meeting to raise several related preservation and interpretive projects, including heritage-tree nominations, waterfall documentation along the historic Columbia River Highway, and interpretive signage or recognition for Troutdale Bridge.
A commissioner proposed adding an interpretive sign and bench at the Troutdale Bridge to highlight the historic smelt run and noted that formal local recognition could help preserve the structure. "Perhaps we should already we should formally recognize it," one participant said during the discussion of landmark recognition, prompting agreement that recognition could aid preservation.
Members also discussed coordination around the Stark Street Bridge and adjacent trail work. One commissioner said the lighting placed under the bridge "is phenomenal" and described inset lighting along the rails, but staff cautioned that the railroad's final inspection remains outstanding: "...it hasn't officially been inspected by Union Pacific. So until they give it their stamp of approval, liability issues are still there," a staff member said. The same speaker added, "We should be out, I'm hoping, April 15 for everything," indicating an expected opening date contingent on Union Pacific's approval.
Other ideas raised included a possible historical route that ties Stark Street Bridge to other nearby historic assets, and creating a regular process for nominating heritage trees; commissioners discussed whether such a program should be managed by parks, the historic commission, or jointly. No formal votes or budget commitments were made; commissioners asked staff to track these project ideas for future agendas and possible grant or funding opportunities.
The commission adjourned after staff noted they will consolidate survey data and circulate the revised narrative and attachments ahead of the next meeting, when members expect to complete a final review and next procedural steps.
