Oregon Pine/Innovation Gateway Area Plan

Our community has a remarkable opportunity to connect the riverfront to our downtown, our parks, our neighborhoods, and our rich and resilient past to benefit our residents and our economy.

About the Project – Our Unique Opportunity

The City owns approximately 100 acres along both sides of the John Day River on the west side of town. The area includes the former Oregon Pine Mill property. The possibility of redeveloping this site opens economic and recreation opportunities. The purpose of the Innovation Gateway Area Plan is to create a framework for the site that aligns with the community’s vision. The final result will be a document and policies to guide the realization of the vision, including strategies for leveraging investment including grant funds.

Creating a Concept

Our consultant team led by landscape architecture firm Walker Macy has learned from the community, learned about the site, and drafted a concept for how the site could be redeveloped. The concept includes connecting the community through roads and trails, integrating the river, and providing recreation and economic opportunities.

Highlights of the Concept:

Extension of 7th Street to Patterson Bridge Road to connect our community with the riverfront property and improve transportation access
A network of trails to connect the plan area on the west side of town with the people and places in our community – providing transportation and recreation options for locals and visitors
New access in town to the John Day River
River and natural area restoration
Recreation and community space to enjoy and learn about the site, people, and history along the river
Amenities to serve our community, including the new wastewater treatment plant, outdoor event space, and potentially a new pool
Opportunities for innovative, sustainable, rural economic development initiatives, such as our new greenhouse and future water reclamation from the wastewater treatment plant
Opportunities for complementary development to benefit our economy, such as office space, small hotel, restaurant, or other private investments that fit the scale of the site and our City

Guiding Principles Shaped by Community:

Create a destination
Attract investment and jobs
Honor John Day’s identity and character
Promote community
Create opportunities to walk and bike
Restore public access to the John Day River and Canyon Creek
Efficiently use public resources and land
Support innovation in conservation

Funding the Planning

In 2017, the City was awarded a Transportation Growth Management grant from the Oregon Department of Transportation and the Department of Land Use and Conservation to begin area development planning. TGM Grants help local communities plan for streets and land use in a way that leads to more livable, economically vital, and sustainable communities and that increases opportunities for transit, walking and bicycling.

The City would like to thank the DR Johnson Lumber Company for allowing this land to be purchased and held in the public trust for generations to come.

Planning Timeline

This area plan will provide a framework for comprehensive planning, financing, and, ultimately, implementation of the vision. The plan was adopted, by amendment, into the City of John Day’s Transportation System Plan (TSP) and Comprehensive Plan in November 2019.

Public discussions related to the property through the Oregon Solutions community priorities process (Spring-Summer 2017)
TGM planning grant award (Summer 2017)
Begin working with State on scope of planning (early 2018)
Concept development for the Innovation Gateway Area Plan (Fall 2018 – Summer 2019)
Plan completion (Summer 2019)
Final plan adoption (November 2019)
Financing (ongoing research, grant applications, partnerships)
Implementation (pending financing, grant opportunities)