Corvallis Wastewater Treatment Wetland

For the past several months, GreenWorks has been working for the City of Corvallis as part of a multi-disciplinary team led by Kennedy/Jenks Consultants to develop a schematic design for a 30-acre treatment wetland on the banks of the Willamette River directly across from the city’s downtown.   The design combines wastewater treatment using the cleansing abilities of plants and micro-organisms, with trails, overlooks, interpretive displays, and other public open space amenities.

Seven to ten million gallons of Class B wastewater will be piped every day from the nearby Corvallis Wastewater Reclamation Plant to the wetland site. At the wetland, the wastewater will be distributed into a series of emergent marsh wetlands before infiltrating through a rocky sub-layer back to the river.  During this infiltration process the primary role of the wetland is to cool the wastewater.  In order to preserve fish habitat, all Oregon municipalities discharging wastewater to natural bodies of water are required by the DEQ to adhere to certain Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) temperature limits.

On August 7^th, the design was presented to Corvallis city officials and the general public.   GreenWorks generated a series of 3D visualizations to convey the design intent where wastewater treatment and public open space intertwine.  Further sessions with city and county review boards are scheduled for the near future.

Minto Island Bicycle & Pedestrian Bridge Concept Design

The City of Salem and Salem’s Urban Renewal Agency are moving forward with plans to connect three major urban parks and more than 20 miles of trails along the Willamette River. The Minto Island Bicycle & Pedestrian Bridge is a tied-arch design spanning 600-feet over the Willamette Slough, connecting the existing path in Riverfront Park to the 900-acre Minto Brown Island Park.

GreenWorks developed a conceptual framework that integrates the bridge terminus in Riverfront Park with the existing circulation, the 30’ diameter “Eco Earth” art globe, as well as the existing park infrastructure. New terraced seatwalls provide additional park seating overlooking the Slough, and are complemented with accent plantings that help anchor the bridge terminus.

Construction could begin as early as Summer 2014. Click here for a link to the City of Salem website, which provides additional information about this exciting project.

Cape Horn Pedestrian Undercrossing Awarded APWA Project of the Year

The American Public Works Association (APWA) has awarded the Cape Horn Pedestrian Undercrossing project the “Project of the Year” award for structures less than $5 million in cost. This Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) project, located on SR 14 at the west end of the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area, provides two safe pedestrian tunnel crossings for trail users of U.S. Forest Service Cape Horn Trail.  GreenWorks, working with Wallis Engineering (civil engineering) and Kramer Gehlen & Associates (structural engineering), provided stone masonry design for the entrance facades of each of the tunnels. The stone used is indigenous to the area and in accord with the natural surroundings. The stone and stone masonry pattern used was given careful consideration to provide consistency with other historic examples of stone masonry construction in the Gorge Scenic Area.  In addition, GreenWorks provided vegetation restoration enhancements at the tunnel entrances using native plants. The Washington Trails Association has stated that the Cape Horn Trail is about to become one of the prized jewels of the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area.  GreenWorks was honored to be a part of this project which will serve outdoor enthusiasts of the region for generations to come.

For more information on this award and the project, visit the APWA Reporter.

Also, you can enter ‘Cape Horn’ into the search function of our blog to find past Cape Horn Project entries which chronicle the construction.

East Metro Connections Plan

Over the last few weeks, the Troutdale, Wood Village, Gresham, and Fairview Councils and the Multnomah County Commission all unanimously endorsed the East Metro Connections Plan. Metro Council will take action on the East Metro Connections Plan as an agenda item at approximately 3:30 p.m. in Metro Council Chambers on Thursday, August 9, 2012.

GreenWorks assisted Kittleson and Metro in the East Metro Connection Plan as a part of the regional planning effort. The East Metro Connections Plan is the first mobility corridor refinement plan to come out of the 2035 Regional Transportation Plan. The Plan has implemented a new approach to allocating limited transportation dollars to ensure regional transportation investments, support local land use, community and economic development, and the environment. The plan has been a 2‐year effort to understand present and future transportation challenges and prioritize solutions that reflect community values and the future plans and aspirations of each city. The plan includes a systemic look at each of the north/south and east/west arterials in the plan area to identify needs related to:

• Road capacity and safety
• Freight operations, capacity and safety
• Modes such as transit, biking and walking
• Related public and private investment

The process is intended to allow Metro and local governments to be strategic and efficient by prioritizing transportation projects that achieve multiple outcomes. There is approximately $14.4 billion in transportation projects identified in the plan for east county. Project goals include: healthy communities, equitably distributed benefits and burdens, improved access and protection of parks and natural resources, improved transportation system, economic development opportunities and safety and security improvements.

We congratulate Metro, Wood Village, Troutdale, Fairview, Gresham, Multnomah County, ODOT and Kittleson on this milestone planning achievement.

Read more about the East Metro Connections Plan in the Oregon DJC.

Phase Two of Design Begins for Trillium Creek Park

The City of Damascus approved the Concept Plan and funding for the next phase of design and construction for Trillium Creek Park.  GreenWorks completed the Concept Plan in March after a successful public involvement process that included strong support and enthusiasm from the local community.  Construction Documentation will continue through the next nine months in order to bid and construct the project next summer. This project represents a successful collaboration between the City of Damascus and North Clackamas Parks and Recreation District. It will be the first neighborhood park within the City limits.