Downtown Riverfront
Take a virtual tour of the project that's connecting Willamette Street to the Willamette River.
The community's vision to reconnect downtown Eugene to the Willamette River is unfolding before our eyes. Construction crews began working on the 16-acre Downtown Riverfront property in 2020. Their progress is detailed in the images and description below.
Please enjoy the virtual tour, including multiple angles along the way, as crews work to complete the projects and open the area before the end of the year. All images and videos were taken in September 2021.
Project Panorama
Looking west from high above Alton Baker Park, you can see the size and scope of the projects.
The Riverfront Park in the foreground is a four acre section that runs the banks of the Willamette River. It includes overlooks, multiple paths, and decorative art pieces that reference the many layers of Eugene's history.
Beyond the park, the infrastructure that will support vertical development at the site is nearing substantial completion. Wiley Griffon Way, Nak nak Avenue and Annie Mims Lane will help people access the park. The new 5th Avenue promenade stretches from the train tracks to the Willamette River.
View additional drone images from around the Downtown Riverfront to see different vantage points of the progress.
Deck Overlook
An overlook near the end of Wiley Griffon Way provides stunning vantage points of the Willamette River, both from the railing and the bench seating perched on the deck.
Construction workers in mid-September finished the deck work, which includes a beautifully crafted railing.
5th Avenue Overlook
Near the river's edge, admire the beautiful pavilion titled SubSupra. The artist brings the undulating shape of the Willamette River's underwater terrain to shore where it becomes a dramatic and iconic gathering space.
The metallic surface allows for light to dance across the pavilion and create some fun reflections as seen by project inspector Spencer Crawford.
Looking to the west from the pavilion, you can see the new 5th Avenue extension that goes under the Ferry Street Viaduct and connects the river to downtown and the 5th Street Public Market area. This extension was created for people walking and biking.
Northern Park Entrance
Whether coming from 4th Avenue, the Peter Defazio Bridge or West Bank Path, the Park offers a welcome entrance on the northern boundary with reimagined river vantage points, a new path, and native plants to brighten the journey. A new ramp makes the area more accessible and LED lighting will ensure people can see during those long winter nights.
Building Development Infrastructure
The creation of the Downtown Riverfront takes a lot of work. Construction crews worked throughout September to build new sidewalks and roads, pictured here at the intersection of Wiley Griffon Way and Annie Mims Lane.
This also includes the spraying of retardant (seen in the second and third images) as part of the finishing work and to help create a specific look for the concrete when completed.
New South Bank Path
As part of the Downtown Riverfront Park project, improvements were also made to the South Bank Path. Some of the benefits include a new, smooth path, new lighting, new rain gardens to clean water and improved views of the Willamette River.
Creating Clean Water
Thousands of plants are now helping to clean and filter water throughout the Downtown Riverfront site. Rain gardens line all of the streets, including these which receive runoff from the Ferry Street Viaduct. These new gardens will create a significant improvement in the quality of water draining from the viaduct and directly into the Willamette River. There are dozens of rain gardens throughout the 16-acre site, with thousands of plants.
Development plans for the Downtown Riverfront - Sept 2021
As crews work towards the completion of the park and infrastructure projects, the developer continues to plan for the vertical development of the buildings.
Atkins Dame (formerly referred to as Williams/Dame & Associates or WDA) expects construction to occur in phases from 2022 until 2025. Their planned multi-use concept includes hundreds of new housing units and new retail spaces. Atkins Dame has a commitment to, and has a track record of, developing high quality projects that create a unique sense of place and neighborhood.
The Steam Plant remains a vital asset to the Downtown Riverfront, and the developers expect to share their latest vision for the iconic building in fall 2021.
For more information on the Downtown Riverfront visit eugene-or.gov/riverfront .
