West Linn, OR. — The West Linn City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to adopt the West Linn Waterfront Community Vision Plan, a major milestone in the City’s long-running effort to reimagine and revitalize 275 acres of underused Willamette River waterfront.
The newly adopted plan establishes a community-driven roadmap for transforming the area into a vibrant, accessible regional destination featuring a mix of land uses, improved public river access, and protections for natural resources. City staff emphasized that the plan reflects decades of community dialogue, recent public outreach, and collaboration with local property owners.
Mayor Rory Bialostosky called the vote “an historic day for West Linn,” saying the vision offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create new public spaces and destinations near Willamette Falls. “I’m really hopeful that by adopting this plan, our City—and really, the region—will have a gathering place with shops, restaurants, parks, tribal space, and other opportunities right near the majestic Willamette Falls,” he said.
Council President Jules Walters Baumgardner thanked the many residents, stakeholders, environmental advocates, and Indigenous partners who contributed to the plan’s development. “Without engaged community members, where would we be?” she said, noting that years of conversations shaped the plan’s priorities and direction.
With the vision plan now approved, the City will begin work on the next phase: updating zoning and development standards and creating a strategic economic plan for the future waterfront area. Staff intend to pursue a Metro 2040 grant to help fund this next stage of planning, which is expected to launch in 2026. City officials said ongoing community engagement will continue to be central as the project moves forward.
The full West Linn Waterfront Community Vision Plan is available at yourwestlinn.com/waterfront-community-vision.
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