WEST LINN, Ore. — April 30, 2026 — The City of West Linn has been recognized with the League of Oregon Cities 2026 Good Governance Award for its Waterfront Community Vision Plan, a long-range planning effort centered on the city’s Willamette River shoreline. The honor was presented during the LOC Local Government Spring Conference held in Pendleton.
The Good Governance Award highlights innovative and effective local government practices across Oregon, recognizing municipalities that demonstrate leadership in planning, public engagement, and service delivery. West Linn was selected for its extensive, community-driven approach to reimagining approximately 275 acres of riverfront property.
“We’re very honored to accept this award on behalf of the City of West Linn,” said Senior Planner Darren Wyss. “A special thanks goes out to the West Linn community, our partners, and our stakeholders. Their involvement is what made this plan possible.”
Wyss emphasized the scale of public involvement that shaped the final plan. “We held seven in-person engagement events with roughly 700 participants, convened 18 meetings with property owners, stakeholders, and tribal representatives, attended 40 civic group meetings, and saw more than 3,200 visits to the project website when the draft plan was released,” he said. “Two online surveys also received more than 800 responses. The time-tested act of meeting people where they are really worked for us.”
The Waterfront Community Vision Plan outlines a framework for future development along West Linn’s riverfront, integrating land use and zoning strategies, multimodal transportation improvements, and potential financing tools to support long-term implementation.
A central goal of the plan is to reconnect residents with the Willamette River while honoring the area’s Indigenous heritage and industrial past. City officials say the effort is designed to balance environmental stewardship with economic development, ensuring sustainable growth for future generations.
Public engagement played a central role throughout the process, with the city emphasizing transparency and accessibility through open houses, neighborhood meetings, civic presentations, and digital outreach. Officials say this broad participation helped ensure the final vision reflects community priorities.
The League of Oregon Cities, founded in 1925, represents all 241 incorporated cities in Oregon and provides advocacy, training, and technical support to local governments statewide.
More information about the Waterfront Community Vision Plan is available at yourwestlinn.com/waterfront-community-vision.
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