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Public Works South Waterfront Greenway
Benches on wooden pads line a paved riverside promenade with manicured lawns, young trees, and railings along a calm river, with modern high-rise buildings in the background under a clear blue sky.
Project Location
Portland, OR
Client City of Portland Parks and Recreation
Market Sector
Project Type
  • Community & Recreation
Services Provided

Project Highlights

  • Removal of over 32,000 tons of contaminated soils
  • Managed construction and inspection for both phases utilizing CM/GC contracting.
  • Restored three miles of riverbank habitat and added urban amenities, including paths, lighting, and overlooks.
  • Ensured environmental compliance and coordinated with multiple agencies and stakeholders.

Project Description

The South Waterfront Greenway is a 1.3-mile segment of a larger three-mile restoration effort along the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon. The project enhanced both ecological function and public use by restoring riparian habitat and incorporating recreational elements such as bike and pedestrian paths, lighting, seating, and river overlooks. This project required two phases using a CM/GC contracting method; it required close coordination with Portland Parks and Recreation, TriMet, the Portland Development Commission, and several environmental oversight agencies.

MacKay Sposito provided construction management and inspection services across both phases. Their responsibilities included environmental compliance oversight, coordination with various city bureaus, community outreach support, and detailed project documentation. The team also handled material tracking, budget summaries, and change order reviews, ensuring the project adhered to strict permitting requirements and met its ecological and public-use goals.