Parks launches Waterfront Park design competition; city received 50 RFQ responses and 1,000+ public survey replies

Portland Parks and Recreation updated the Public Works Committee on Aug. 11 about an open design competition for Tom McCall Waterfront Park intended to produce a concept for the full park and a more detailed design for the bowl area.

Interim Director Art Pierce said the competition is funded by a Metro planning and development grant and aims to help the city assemble capital funding and implementation strategies. Project manager Laura Lillard described the public-engagement process, advisory groups and technical analyses that informed the RFQ and said the solicitation drew 50 responses. "We are in active review, and we're extremely excited about this turnout and interest in Portland," Lillard said. Parks also reported receiving more than 1,000 public survey responses so far.

Staff emphasized themes the competition will explore: defining event and civic-gathering areas, improved river access (the bowl is the only place in the park that touches the water), habitat restoration and everyday-use amenities designed to keep people in the park beyond festival days. Parks said shortlisted teams (three finalists) will be invited to produce concept designs, which will be displayed in a public exhibition and online gallery. The bureau also described near-term activation planning while capital funding is developed, and said staff will examine whether code or policy adjustments are needed to enable amenities such as food and beverage or floating features.

Councilors asked about outreach to culturally specific organizations and access for communities of color; Parks said it has targeted partner briefings and broadened outreach to reflect the park's regional and cultural significance. The committee did not take action but requested future touch points as the competition advances.