Walker-Macy Principal and Landscape Architect Mike Zilis and City of The Dalles Mayor Rich Mays speak to the community members attending the Federal Street Plaza project open house.
The River City design concept proposals for the Federal Street Plaza project. Both the Basalt and River City designs are on the City of The Dalles’ website.
Images courtesy Federal Street Plaza Ad Hoc Committee
The Basalt design concept proposal for the Federal Street Plaza project. Both the Basalt and River City designs are on the City of The Dalles’ website.
Image courtesy Federal Street Plaza Ad Hoc Committee
Community members of The Dalles attend the open house at Freebridge brewing to view and provide feedback on the proposed design concepts for the Federal Street Plaza project.
Community members of The Dalles attend the open house at Freebridge brewing to view and provide feedback on the proposed design concepts for the Federal Street Plaza project.
Walker-Macy Principal and Landscape Architect Mike Zilis and City of The Dalles Mayor Rich Mays speak to the community members attending the Federal Street Plaza project open house.
Kelsie Cowart photo
Community members of The Dalles attend the open house at Freebridge brewing to view and provide feedback on the proposed design concepts for the Federal Street Plaza project.
THE DALLES — Last Wednesday, Feb. 12, the City of The Dalles held an open house at Freebridge Brewing so community members could view and provide feedback on the proposed concept designs for the Federal Street Plaza project.
Following an introduction by Mayor Rich Mays, Mike Zilis, principal and landscape architect from Walker-Macy, an urban design and landscape architectural firm based in Portland and Seattle, presented the concepts.
According to the City of The Dalles website, Walker-Macy was selected to work on the project by the Federal Street Plaza committee — made up of members that include representatives from City of The Dalles as well as The Columbia Gateway Urban Renewal Agency, according to Mays — and had submitted five initial design concepts. “Following multiple meetings that included presentations, discussions, and time dedicated to hearing public comments, the committee narrowed the options down to two potential schemes,” reads the website.
Community members of The Dalles attend the open house at Freebridge brewing to view and provide feedback on the proposed design concepts for the Federal Street Plaza project.
Kelsie Cowart photo
Zilis presented the two concepts: Scheme A, “River City,” and Scheme B, “Basalt.” Key elements in the designs, Zilis told Columbia Gorge News, are everyday usability and creating a space for events and activities.
“One of the things we emphasized to the committee, and we’ll continue to emphasize, [is that] it’s really important that it’s managed well. That it’s an open space that has activities — it’s clean and safe and inviting,” he said.
The decision to incorporate the environmental elements into the design, Zilis said, was made to resonate with the community. “What we’re trying to do is create a sense of place. What does the community of The Dalles resonate with? What do they think is beautiful? What would they like to see downtown? ... So that’s what we’re trying to do, to make it really specific to this place,” Zilis said.
When asked the differences between the two concepts, Walker-Macy Landscape Designer Sam Chun noted the environmental inspirations between them. “The River City [concept] is more of [an] … orthogonal, rectilinear form, whereas … the Basalt is more … organic even though it’s hard edged, it’s more of a geological form,” he said.
Mays noted that the project, which is focused on developing the part of Federal Street between Second and First streets in downtown The Dalles, does not include the lot where the Tony’s building formerly stood. “This is on the street right of way,” he said.
The River City design concept proposals for the Federal Street Plaza project. Both the Basalt and River City designs are on the City of The Dalles’ website.
Images courtesy Federal Street Plaza Ad Hoc Committee
The Basalt design concept proposal for the Federal Street Plaza project. Both the Basalt and River City designs are on the City of The Dalles’ website.
Image courtesy Federal Street Plaza Ad Hoc Committee
Following Zilis’ initial presentation of the project, members of the Federal Street Plaza committee and Walker-Macy were available to answer questions and receive feedback from the community regarding the proposed concepts.
When asked how much the community had been involved in the process thus far, Mays said the committee has held eight public meetings prior to the one held on Feb. 12. “We’ve had people show up for those meetings and give their input as well,” he said.
According to the City of The Dalles website, the Federal Street Plaza Ad Hoc committee meetings are held every other Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall through the month of February. Mays noted that people are welcome to attend and provide feedback.
A list of ideas for the Federal Street Plaza project given by community members attending the public open house.
Mays said the final concept decision should be announced within a month. “The committee will come together after hearing all the [feedback] and they will arrive at a decision and get moving on it,” he said.
“The ad-hoc committee will provide recommendations on the design, construction, and budget for the project. In addition, the committee will coordinate with City staff to identify and pursue grant opportunities to help fund the plaza,” The City of The Dalles website said.
“I’m very excited about [the project]; it’s something I wanted to do the six years I’ve been mayor,” Mays said. “It will bring a lot of vibrancy ... It’ll be very aesthetic and lend a certain amount of class to the downtown area. And I think the businesses will all benefit from it, and I think the community will as well. Ambiance. I think it will add some ambiance.”
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