Downtown Riverfront Tour

Downtown Riverfront Tour December 10, 2020

Project managers Emily Proudfoot and Scott Gillespie took Oregon Representative Nancy Nathanson on a tour of the Downtown Riverfront, including the Riverfront Park and infrastructure work. The development currently underway along the Willamette River in downtown Eugene. This slide show provides an update on the progress of the project that's transforming the riverfront in downtown Eugene. The Park is scheduled to be completed in spring 2021. All the pictures, other than the cover image, were taken December 3, 2021.

The group started their tour walking south from the EWEB Plaza (near the water fountain). The changes are dramatic as you leave the old bike path.

One of the first stops is the construction for the 5th Avenue overlook. Concrete forms mark where the overlook is being built.

Looking back towards downtown, 5th Avenue is cut into the dirt. This will eventually serve as a promenade for people to walk from 5th Street Market to the river.

New rain gardens mark the northern edge of the new 5th Avenue extension.

Rep. Nathanson was pleased to see the progress at the Downtown Riverfront site.

In the large image, Proudfoot shares details of the massive planting along the banks of the Willamette River. Non-native plants were removed and more than 24,000 stakes, bulbs and shrubs were planted in January 2020 along the riverbank.

The Park is scheduled to be completed in the spring with an opening by mid-2021. There will be a community celebration commemorating the completion.

Rebar reinforces concrete for the 5th Avenue overlook. The Steam Plant and the start of the new deck overlook are visible in the background.

Rep. Nathanson was impressed by the views of the Willamette River throughout the site, but specifically near where the seating pavilion will be located - near the Steam Plant. In the picture on the right hand side, you can see the location of the new walking path.

Construction crews prepare to pour concrete support walls for the deck overlook just north of the Steam Plant. The concrete walls should be poured over the coming weeks.

Completed Park Drawings

Phase one of the infrastructure is also gaining significant progress. The first phase, which includes several roads through the Downtown Riverfront property, is expected to be completed in the spring.

Heavy machinery hauls rock down part of Annie Mims Lane. Many of the streets already have curbs and gutters in place, as well as rain gardens to clean water from street runoff.

Ballards mark where a new section of Ferry Street will end at Annie Mims Lane.

The first plants are in the ground of one of many rain gardens constructed throughout the development. These rain gardens will help clean runoff from paved areas before it reaches the nearby Willamette River.

The walking tour continued on the soon-to-be-completed sidewalk along Annie Mims Lane and under the Ferry Street Viaduct. This road will be completed by spring 2021.

Construction crews take advantage of dry weather to pour a new section of Mill Street. This will be one of two gateways for people driving to the Downtown Riverfront. This street will connect to the new Annie Mims Lane.

Many thanks to all of the contractors working throughout the summer and fall to help ensure this project moves forward. We're excited to see the work progress over the coming months.

Appreciate