Port of Portland Fall 1999
WHI News
The Quarterly Report of the West Hayden Island Development Project
Welcome to the WHI News!
This edition of the WHI News marks an expansion of our outreach effort. As the WHI Project progresses, we are reaching out to a wider audience. So if this is the first issue you have seen welcome! Below you will find a basic description of the West Hayden Island Development Project, why it is so important to our region’s future, and where we are in the process of making it a reality.
The WHI Project also reflects the Port’s commitment to greater public access and involvement. We are going the extra mile to ensure that the WHI Project respects and reflects the priorities and values of our community. There are a number of ways for you to participate-give us a call and get involved!
The West Hayden Island Project: Securing Our Economic Future
Portland marine trade has tripled in the last 30 years, and it is projected to triple again by 2030. The region’s, and the state’s, economy depend upon continued thoughtful Port investments. It is essential that the Port of Portland plan for, and provide marine facilities capable of meeting the increasing needs of the global market place and the Port’s business partners.
To fulfill its responsibility to ensure Portland’s and Oregon’s place in international commerce, the Port must plan for the growth in trade volume by developing new and modernized marine terminal facilities.
Portland has now exhausted all of its large marine development sites. West Hayden Island is the last large parcel of land within the urban growth boundary suitable for marine terminal activity. The WHI Project will create a state-of-the-art marine facility with inter-modal rail and truck connections that will enable Portland’s harbor to serve our region’s needs over the next 30 years.
Where is West Hayden Island?
West Hayden Island is 827 acres owned by the Port of Portland in the Columbia river, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers, and between Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington. The Jantzen Beach Shopping Center and the I-5 Bridge are less than a mile away; the Port of Vancouver is directly across the Columbia River; and Terminal Six is within 1,000 feet.
WHI Project Moves Ahead
Several Important Mileposts Approaching
With the end of the summer approaching, the West Hayden Island Development Project is poised to move ahead on several critical fronts. Given the scale, complexity and importance of the project, the Port has been working simultaneously in a number of arenas. The Port is about to step up its interaction with a wide range of jurisdictions and agencies, including the City of Portland, Metro and state and federal resource agencies
Finally, the West Hayden Island Advisory Committee will shortly resume meeting after its summer hiatus. The Advisory Committee is an especially vital part of the WHI Project. It is made up of a broad cross-section of community members, advocacy groups and stakeholders. This committee helps make sure that the West Hayden Island Project is developed in a way that best meets the needs of our region’s economic future and the values of the community. What follows is a brief overview of next steps.
Draft Area Plan defines Use(s) for West Hayden Island
One of the most significant steps for the WHI Project is the City of Portland’s annexation of the property. A key step in that process is the Area Plan.
The Area plan creates the land use planning framework in which future development activities and open space resource preservation will occur on West Hayden Island. It applies City of Portland Comprehensive Plan and Zoning designations to the West Hayden Island property to become effective upon annexation.
The Port of Portland has been working with it’s partners the last 18 months preparing the West Hayden Island Draft Area Plan. The draft Area Plan is being developed consistent with the 1997 West Hayden Island Development Program and establishes the land use planning policy framework and regulatory standards for future development applications for marine industrial uses.
Adoption of the Area Plan will set the stage for annexation of the 827 acres into the City of Portland. It is anticipated that annexation into the City of Portland will occur following, or concurrent, with adoption of the Area Plan.
Advisory Committee to Review Area Plan, Natural Resources Element & Transportation Impact Analysis
The next WHI Advisory Committee meeting will take place in late October or early November. At the top of the agenda will be reviewing drafts of the:
Area plan
Natural Resources Element
Transportation Impact Analysis
Due to the extent and complexity of the materials, additional meetings will be scheduled to review and discuss these issues through March. WHI Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public. Interested parties should contact Barbara Smolak at 944-7052 for further information.
Port to Meet with State and Federal Agencies
In September, the Port will be meeting with state and federal resource agencies to brief them on the Port’s approach to the Area Plan, particularly the Natural Resource Element, as well as components of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. These meetings will help make sure that the process is as smooth and timely as possible. Port staff will share the results of these meetings with the WHI Advisory Committee.
Public Presentation Ready to Go!
As Part of our effort, we have prepared an informative 30 minute presentation on WHI for the general public. It is a combination speech/computer graphic presentation which explains the West Hayden Island project and provides a visual context. This presentation is appropriate for neighborhood organizations, civic and community groups, service clubs, etc. Call Barbara Smolak at 944-7052 to schedule a presentation!
The WHI Advisory Committee
Bob Alexander, Portland Development Commission
Jim Anderson, Foss Maritime
Bob Clay, Portland Planning Bureau
Jaquline Dingfelder, Coalition for a Livable Future
David Eatwell, Kenton Neighborhood Association
Mike Gemmet, Portland French Bakery
Greg Guthrie, Burlington Northern Sante Fe
Mike Hoglund, Metro
Linda Hval, St. John’s Neighborhood Association
Marcy Jacobs, Oregon Economic Development Department
Jeff Kaiser, Oregon Department of Transportation
Jeff Kersaw, Jatzen Beach Shopping Center
Deborah Marriott, Lower Columbia Estuary Program
Jeff McEwan, Hanjin Shipping
Ann Nelson, KPMG Peat Marwick
Tim Ramis, O’Donnell, Ramis, et al
Scott Ransmeier, China Overseas Shipping
Bob Salinger, Audubon Society of Portland
Greg Satchell, PGE/Enron
Walter Valenta, Brigeton Neighborhood Association
Laurel Wentworth, Portland Bureau of Transportation
Gayla Whitman, Hayden Island Neighborhood Association
Dave Yamashita, Portland Parks and Recreation
Important Upcoming Dates/Meetings
June 1999-October 1999 Port Completes draft Area Plan
October 1999-March 2000 WHI Advisory Committee reviews draft Area Plan
February 2000 Draft Environmental Impact Statement available for public review
Port prepares final draft Area Plan
April 2000 West Hayden Island Area Plan submitted to City of Portland
July 2000 City Council action on Area Plan and annexation
