What is the Waterfront Redevelopment Project?

Industry has been at the heart of the City’s waterfront and its economy up until the remaining mills closed in the early 2000s. As the jobs disappeared from the heart of the city, so did many of the people, and the historic downtown has grown quieter. The City has since been dedicated to reclaiming the waterfront so that it may serve the community in new ways, paying homage to both the past and the future by creating new amenities that can attract both new employers and residents to St. Helens.

In 2015, the City acquired approximately 225 acres of waterfront property along the Multnomah Channel and the Columbia River. A key development opportunity is an approximate 22-acre property that is the former location of a plywood veneer plant, identified  as the Veneer Property. The Veneer Property’s unique waterfront location, volcanic views, and proximity to downtown create a rare opportunity to bring new, mixed development to St. Helens. To the south lies a second key industrial property that was formerly the location of the Boise White Paper, LLC main mill operation, referred to in this report as the Boise White Paper (BWP) Property. It is approximately 205 acres, only 10–20 acres of which are occupied today by Cascade Tissue. This expansive industrial area is located close to US 30, presenting the City with a significant opportunity to attract new employers to the area.