Troutdale is receiving about $800,000 in designated funding from the Metro parks bond to help develop a park or trail project. There are three projects that have been identified that this funding could be shared among. There could also be another project we haven't considered yet.
Please note that while the City could apply those funds, it does not guarantee the project will be built. Additional funding and approvals would have to be in place in order for any of these projects to materialize.
Here's a quick look at three possibilities.
2nd Street Bridge
A new bike and pedestrian bridge that would enable safe crossings over 257th Drive and improve access between Downtown, the new food cart pod, McMenamins Edgefield, and residential areas along Halsey Street. The funding would go to help pay for the bridge, which is expected to cost around $2 million to build. Adjacent development and other public sources could contribute to funding this project.
Sandy Riverfront Park & Trail
A new riverfront park and trail that connects Downtown with future development behind the outlet mall and links both areas with the region-al trail system along the Sandy and Columbia rivers. The funding would go to help pay for the park and trail development, which is expected to be around $4 million. The City is also applying for competitive grant funding from Metro and other sources to help pay for the park.
Beaver Creek Bridge
A former pedestrian bridge in the Beaver Creek canyon had to be taken down due to maintenance issues. A new bridge would offer a chance to reconnect neighborhoods and with nature. The funding would cover the remaining costs to construct the bridge, which received $150,000 of state funding support. It is unclear however if this project qualifies for the bond appropriation.
A Connecting Network
Both the 2nd Street Bridge and Sandy Riverfront Park/Trail projects are critical pieces in creating a multi-use trail that could connect downtown Troutdale with Edgefield, Wood Village, and Fairview to the west and I-84 and the Columbia River Gorge to the east.
A multi-use pathway would be an off-street, 12-foot wide trail that accommodates pedestrians and cyclists. This trail would provide a recreational amenity to the fastest growing area of the city where none currently exists and allow a safe access for residents to get downtown — without a car if they so choose. It’s less than a 10 minute walk or 3 minute bike ride away.
What do you think? Email us at comdev [at] troutdaleoregon.gov (comdev[at]troutdaleoregon[dot]gov)
A version of this article originally appeared in the March-April edition of the Troutdale Champion.