County says Gorge Scenic Area guidelines will shape Stark Street Bridge design

Council members asked whether the renderings shown were final designs or early concepts and whether aesthetics — columns, materials and colors — could be used to make the new bridge blend with the Columbia River Gorge setting. Megan Neil said the images were early concepts and that the Gorge Scenic Area land-use guidelines would require the new structure to be visually subordinate to the surrounding landscape.

"We do have to take into account the Gorge Scenic area land use requirements," Neil said, noting those guidelines influence color, shape and materials and that finer aesthetic details will be addressed during the design and permitting process. Councilors and members of the public urged staff to consider aesthetic treatments that respect the historic highway character and to continue community engagement on design qualities.