Historic Hood River
Construction Zone
11-1-2019
Notes
Here’s a view of the Waterfront Park construction from February, 2008, as the shape of the beach started to become apparent. There’s another beach buried about 20 feet below this one, which was flooded when the Bonneville Dam closed in 1937. The port area was constructed by building a rim of rock rip-rap, then dredging river sand to fill it in. This beach was constructed by removing the rock rim to create a nice shallow kid friendly area. I believe the rock from here was crushed and used in the Oak Street urban renewal project, so we drive on it every day.
Category: Downtown Hood River
Tags: 2000s, beach, construction, park, Portway Avenue, Waterfront Park
Tags: 2000s, beach, construction, park, Portway Avenue, Waterfront Park
L.E.
Gone are the Waucoma.
kenn
A city with good riverside planning, a great air museum, and a fine and sharing downtown museum.
nels
Who owns that building in the photo? (Called the Luhr Jensen Bldg.)
ArthurB
I believe the Port of HR purchased it a couple of years ago. They owned the land already, and purchased the building when it became available maybe 10 years ago.
nels
I think they need to move it south to free up that land for recreation/ tourist activities. It is a ‘dead zone’ as far as HR’s major activities. A waste of river view for people sewing sails, and just warehousing activities. Misappropriation as times have changed.
nels
Was this a Port project or was it done with a grant?
nels
Changing that building over to a mini shopping area with coffee and a sandwich shops, restaurant, sports sales, a brewery outlet, sports clothing. All with a view.
A second floor or roof observation point would be neat in warm season.
jay
I may have some details wrong, but . . . the Port gave the City the land for $1 for park purposes. A local community group formed a nonprofit, the Waterfront Park Community Association, to raise funds and spearhead planning. The park was constructed in phases, with grants from Oregon Parks and Recreation and the Ford Family Foundation, as well as substantial amounts raised by the WCPA through local fundraising. This was a great example of local community members stepping up and devoting a ton of volunteer time and money for a project that the City was hesitant to take on.
ArthurB
Basically correct, Jay, concerning the Waterfront Park site. Thanks for the summary.
I think this thread is getting tangled with a discussion of the Luhr Jensen site. The property was owned by the Port but under a 99 year leased to Luhr Jensen, who built the building in question. The building was then sold to the Port, which now leases it to various businesses. Redevelopment of the site would be subject to very different zoning regulations than the existing structure, including setback from riverbank, height, and use. These issues get debated every couple of years in port or city meetings, so the only certainty is that any change on the site will result in lots of public discussion. That’s why I stick with history on this site, and leave the future forecasts to other sites.