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Advocates ask West Linn to house historic Lady B tugboat; council gives initial support
Summary
Advocates for Willamette Falls Heritage asked the city to accept ownership and provide a permanent display site for the 77-year-old Lady B tugboat; advocates say they have $25,000 raised and propose a $200,000 budget for a permanent facility, and council members urged staff to work with advocates on siting, legal agreements and fundraising.
Jim Edwards, representing Advocates for Willamette Falls Heritage, asked the council to take ownership of the Lady B tugboat and provide a permanent display site in Willamette Park, saying the Bernert-family owner (Wilsonville Concrete) has agreed to store the vessel until April 2026. "I'm here again on behalf of the advocates to ask the city to take ownership and provide a location to display the Lady B," Edwards told the council, describing the tug as a 77-year-old vessel significant to the river's logging history and estimating a $200,000 budget to build a display and to cover primary maintenance for 20 years.
Edwards said advocates have raised $25,000 to date (a $15,000 Kinsman Foundation grant and a $10,000 PGE grant) and plan additional fundraising; he provided a budget line showing design, permits, a permanent facility estimate and contingency. Councilors expressed cautious support but raised questions about siting and long-term maintenance responsibility. The council asked staff to discuss a letter of understanding and work with the parks board and legal counsel on liability, insurance and site suitability, and requested a follow-up report at an upcoming business meeting.
