Springfield is master planning for Glenwood riverfront. Here's what that means
Springfield is starting a process to plan the likely layout of a future riverfront neighborhood in Glenwood.
The city’s economic development agency board recently awarded a master planning contract for around 30 acres in Glenwood along the Willamette River to two architectural firms.
Eugene-based Rowell Brokaw Architects and Portland-based Walker Macy will develop a master plan for an area on the north side of Franklin Boulevard at the bend in the Willamette River across the street from U-Haul Storage and the two recently constructed roundabouts on Franklin.
They’ll work to determine specific land uses, potential impacts of development and more to help prepare for the vision of a vibrant riverfront neighborhood.
What’s Glenwood?
Glenwood is a 1-square-mile area between Eugene and downtown Springfield bound by Interstate 5 to the west and south and the Willamette River to the east and north.
Springfield has jurisdiction over the unincorporated community and has been eyeing the riverfront area for development for some time.
Some early progress on development
The city already has developed a refinement plan for the area that envisions it promoting density and a mix of housing that incorporates commercial and hospitality opportunities as well as a focus on access to the riverfront and open spaces.
Officials also voted in 2021 to partner with Edlen & Co and deChase Miksis to re-envision the Willamette Riverfront.
Last summer, the board issued a request for proposals seeking a consultant or consulting team to prepare a master plan.
What’s master planning?
Master planning produces a long-term document with a conceptual layout guiding future growth and development in an area.
The plan includes analysis, recommendations and proposals for population, economy, housing, transportation, community facilities and land use at a particular site.
Master planning is key to the layout, understanding capacity and transportation needs and other key elements of the development, said Mark Miksis, a partner at deChase Miksis.
What will the architects do?
The city’s request for proposals lays out specific items for Rowell Brokaw and Walker Macy to address in the master plan:
Facilitate the review of multi-phased developments in the Glenwood Riverfront to be constructed over five to 10 years and ensure coordination of individual phases
Ensure sufficient facilities and services and plan the efficient extension of public infrastructure as needed
Determine specific land uses, a range of square footage of nonresidential uses and a range of densities of residential uses, the layout of uses and the location of public facilities and transportation systems
Identify and consider ways to mitigate potential impacts of the proposed development, including noise, shading, glare, utility capacity and traffic
Provide property owners an opportunity to review related aspects of the process including design review, zoning and development variances, site plan approvals, land divisions and utility approvals
Provide property owners in the Glenwood Riverfront area with the assurance needed over the long term to plan for and execute the proposed development
What about the refinement plan?
Jill Sherman, a co-founder of Edlen & Co, assured officials the Glenwood Refinement Plan is still the starting point for the development.
The architectural firms and development team will recommend adjustments as needed, she said.
Contact city government watchdog Megan Banta at mbanta@registerguard.com. Follow her on Twitter @MeganBanta_1.
This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Glenwood riverfront: Springfield starting on master planning
