Portland residents who fancy a say in the redevelopment of one of their iconic public spaces just got a little more time to step forward. The Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) is giving more time for locals to throw their hat in the ring for a spot on the Gov. Tom McCall Waterfront Park Project Advisory Committee (PAC). The extension is aimed to assemble a diverse group of voices to guide the upcoming transformation of the Waterfront Park Bowl.
Members of the PAC will have their hands in various facets of the project. They'll advise on the national design competition, throw in on the development of design criteria, and act as liaisons between PP&R and the broader Portland community. According to a statement from PP&R, the group is looking for individuals who can "elevate and confirm community priorities for the project site and designs" and "provide input on the design competition process and community engagement approach."
The committee's role is by all means a critical part of the redevelopment process. Following the design competition, the PAC will stay on to offer advisory input during the nitty-gritty stage of design development for the Bowl area. This means continuous dialogue with the project team and PP&R staff, ensuring community voices aren't drowned out by the technical hum of architects and planners.
Citizens from all walks of life are welcomed to apply — from park-goers to local business owners, artists to environmentalists, nobody's perspective is deemed irrelevant. "PAC members may bring a wide range of perspectives and experiences," detailed in the PP&R announcement, which lists an eclectic mix of valuable insights, including but not limited to "lived experience using the park and riverfront" and "experience in areas such as architecture, landscape architecture, parks and river recreation, urban design and planning, environmental or river ecology, construction, real estate development, arts and culture, or venue operations." Professional expertise, while valuable, is not a requirement. To apply or learn more, individuals can visit Portland Parks & Recreation's official call for committee members.
