HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Item - 2026-06-17 - Number 01.2 - Preliminary Development Concepts FIRST June 11, 2026
FORTY
FEET
Architecture Foothills District Plan Update
Urban Design
Planning
Preliminary Development Concepts
812 SW Washington St
Suite 250 April 30, 2026
Portland,Oregon 97205
t:503-764-9692
www.firstfortyfeet.com
Overview
The following preliminary development concepts are organized around a shared set of
guiding principles and project objectives for the Foothills District Plan Update. Each
concept explores a different way to reconnect downtown Lake Oswego to the Willamette
River, create a walkable mixed-use waterfront district, balance development with the
natural river environment, support diverse housing and economic vitality, and establish
a flexible framework for long-term implementation.
While all three concepts assume the wastewater treatment facility remains fully
operational and is integrated as a service-oriented infrastructure use, each alternative
differs in how it structures the district's public spaces, street network, development
parcels, State Street edge, and riverfront experience.
The concepts are intended to test different organizing ideas —a civic plaza, a downtown-
to-park public space sequence, and a tree-lined promenade —so the City and community
can compare tradeoffs related to access, development feasibility, public realm character,
housing opportunities, infrastructure investment, and the long-term identity of Foothills.
Preliminary Development Concepts explained below include:
• Park Plaza
• Downtown Plaza to Park
• Park Promenade
Lake Oswego Foothills Framework Update l Draft Preliminary Development Concepts Memo page 1 of 19
FIRST FORTY The Park Plaza Concept
FEET Big Idea
Architecture
Urban Design
Planning Park Plaza is organized around a strong east-west Grand Connection that links a new
State Street Retail Landing to an active Park Plaza at Foothills Park. This concept
812 SW Washington St creates a clear visual, physical, and civic connection between downtown Lake Oswego
Suite 250
Portland,Oregon 97205 and the Willamette River, using a new street and view corridor as the primary organizing
t:503-764-9692
www.firstfortyfeet.com element for development, public space, access, and district identity.
The name Park Plaza reflects the two anchors of the concept: a new park-like arrival and
retail landing at State Street on the west, and a flexible hardscape plaza at the edge of
Foothills Park on the east. Between these anchors, the Grand Connection becomes the
district's main street—a walkable, mixed-use spine lined with active frontages, housing
entries, small retail, public gathering spaces, and views toward the waterfront.
This concept positions Foothills as a new mixed-use waterfront district where public life
is concentrated along a memorable downtown-to-river corridor.
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Lake Oswego Foothills Framework Update/Draft Preliminary Development Concepts Memo page 2 of 19
FIRST
FORTY
FEET Concept Description
Architecture The Park Plaza concept establishes a new signature street through the Foothills
Urban Design
Planning District, connecting downtown Lake Oswego to the Foothills Park through a sequence of
public spaces, active edges, and new development.At State Street, a new Retail Landing
812 SW Washington St
Suite 250 creates a visible district entry, introduces new retail across from existing storefronts,
Portland,Oregon 97205 and frames a view corridor toward the river. From this landing, the Grand Connection
t:503-764-9692
www.firstfortyfeet.com crosses the rail corridor and extends east through the heart of the district, arriving at a
new Park Plaza along the edge of Foothills Park.
The Park Plaza serves as the primary public gathering space for the district. It is
envisioned as a flexible hardscape plaza that can support daily activity, outdoor dining,
small events, markets, pavilion uses, business incubator spaces, and seasonal
programming. Located adjacent to Foothills Park, the plaza creates a more urban and
active complement to the existing park landscape, allowing the district to balance open
space, river access, and mixed-use development.
New mixed-use and residential buildings are organized to frame the Grand Connection
and activate the Park Plaza. Ground-floor retail, community-serving uses, residential
lobbies, stoops, patios, and pedestrian entries create an active public realm along the
corridor. Multi-story residential development is oriented toward new streets,
accessways, and the waterfront, creating a walkable neighborhood structure while
supporting the district's housing and economic vitality goals.
A key feature of the concept is the way development responds to the future wastewater
treatment facility. The WWTF's operational needs, circulation, service access, and
footprint are respected, but the concept treats Foothills Road primarily as a service-
oriented back-of-house condition for the WWTF and future development Major pedestrian
and vehicular circulation is instead focused along the Grand Connection and internal
street network. New development helps screen the WWTF from the district's most active
public spaces, allowing the treatment facility to function while reducing its visual and
experiential impact on the waterfront district.
Relationship to Guiding Principles
Create a Walkable, Mixed-Use Waterfront District
Park Plaza concentrates the district's most active uses along the Grand Connection,
creating a walkable signature street between State Street and Foothills Park. Mixed-use
development, ground-floor activation, and residential entries help create a pedestrian-
oriented and active street environment rather than a collection of isolated development
sites.
Lake Oswego Foothills Framework Update/Draft Preliminary Development Concepts Memo page 3 of 19
FIRST Balance Development with the Natural River Environment
FORTY By concentrating higher-intensity public life around the Park Plaza and Grand
FEETConnection, the concept allows the riverfront edge and Foothills Park to remain central
Architecture organizing features. The plaza becomes a transition between urban development and the
Urban Design
Planning natural river setting, supporting access to the waterfront while respecting the
importance of open space, tree canopy, habitat, and river ecology.
812 SW Washington St
Suite 250 Reconnect Lake Oswego to the Willamette River and Waterfront
Portland,Oregon 97205
t:503-764-9692 The Grand Connection is the primary reconnecting move.This tree-lined multimodal
www.firstfortyfeet.com street creates a direct visual and pedestrian-oriented link from State Street to the
riverfront, helping overcome the current physical and perceptual separation between
downtown and the Willamette River.
Support an Inclusive and Economically Vital Community
The concept supports a range of housing types and scales, including affordable housing,
townhouses, mid-rise residential, and waterfront residential. Small retail spaces,
pavilion uses, business incubator opportunities, and flexible plaza programming create
opportunities for local businesses, entrepreneurs, and community-serving activities.
Integrate Sustainability, Ecology, and Climate Resilience
Park Plaza can integrate green infrastructure, shade, stormwater features, climate-
adapted planting, and habitat-sensitive design along the Grand Connection and riverfront
edge. The public space network provides opportunities to connect urban development
with ecological systems and climate resilience strategies.
Plan for Adaptability Over Time
The concept creates a clear framework of streets, accessways, public spaces, and
development parcels that can be implemented in phases. The Grand Connection, Retail
Landing, and Park Plaza establish a durable structure, while individual development
sites and public realm improvements can evolve over time as infrastructure, funding,
and market conditions change.
Relationship to Overall Project Objectives
Remove Barriers to Development
Park Plaza organizes development around a clear public realm and access framework,
helping clarify how new parcels, streets, open spaces, and infrastructure can work
together. By addressing the WWTF as a service-oriented edge condition and focusing
development activity elsewhere, the concept helps reduce one of the district's major
perceived barriers.
Improve Access and Connectivity
The Grand Connection creates a new east-west connection from State Street to Foothills
Park and the waterfront. Internal streets, accessways, pedestrian paths, trail
Lake Oswego Foothills Framework Update/Draft Preliminary Development Concepts Memo page 4 of 19
FIRST connections, and rail crossings further improve movement through the district and
FORTY create a more connected development pattern.
FEETSupport Affordable and Diverse Housing
Architecture
Urban Design The concept allows for a range of housing types, including affordable housing, mid-rise
Planning residential buildings, and multi-story residential development oriented to new streets
and the waterfront. This diversity supports a more inclusive district and provides
812 SW Washington St
Suite 250 flexibility for different development models.
Portland,Oregon 97205
t:503-764-9692 Encourage High-Quality Design and Public Spaces
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Park Plaza places public space at the center of the concept.The State Street Retail
Landing, Grand Connection, Festival Street, and Park Plaza create a sequence of
memorable public spaces that can be shaped by high-quality architecture, landscape
design, active ground floors, and strong pedestrian-oriented design standards.
Fund Critical Infrastructure Through Urban Renewal
By creating a clear development framework and concentrating value around new public
spaces and streets, Park Plaza supports the use of urban renewal to help fund critical
infrastructure. The concept links private development potential with public investments
in streets, crossings, utilities, open space, and waterfront access.
Key Design Moves
1. WWTF Design Approach
The Park Plaza concept respects the operational requirements of the future wastewater
treatment facility, including its footprint, service circulation, and access needs. Rather
than allowing the WWTF to define the character of the district, the concept organizes
public life away from the facility and focuses activity along the Grand Connection,
internal streets, and Park Plaza.
Foothills Road is treated as a more service-oriented edge, supporting facility access and
back-of-house functions of future development. New development helps screen the
WWTF and reduce its visual prominence from the district's most important pedestrian
areas. This approach allows essential infrastructure to remain functional while enabling
Foothills to become a welcoming mixed-use waterfront district.
2. Downtown to River Connection
The Grand Connection is the central organizing move of the concept. It creates a new
street, pedestrian corridor, and view corridor from the State Street Retail Landing to the
Park Plaza at Foothills Park.This connection gives the district a clear civic structure and
establishes a direct relationship between downtown Lake Oswego and the waterfront.
At the west end, the State Street Retail Landing creates a new arrival point, with small-
scale retail and pedestrian access across the rail corridor. At the east end, the Park
Lake Oswego Foothills Framework Update/Draft Preliminary Development Concepts Memo page 5 of 19
FIRST Plaza becomes the active riverfront destination. Together, these spaces create a
FORTY sequence of arrival, movement, activity, and gathering.
FEET3. Internal Streets and Future Connections
Architecture
Urban Design
Planning The concept includes a network of internal streets and accessways that support parking,
service access, pedestrian movement, trail connections, and future development phases.
812 SW Washington St These streets break down large parcels into a more walkable block structure and
Suite 250
Portland,Oregon 97205 provide flexibility for future implementation.
t:503-764-9692
www.firstfortyfeet.com The internal circulation network also supports multiple ways to move through the
district, reducing reliance on a single access point and improving long-term adaptability.
4. North Portal Options
The north portal area remains an important opportunity for future access, connectivity,
and district identity. Park Plaza allows for flexibility in how the north end of the district
connects to adjacent streets, trails, and development parcels. Future portal options could
support additional pedestrian and bicycle access, development opportunities, or a more
defined northern gateway into the Foothills District. There may also be the opportunity
for direct access to the WWTF, allowing sewage trucks direct access to this connection
north out of the district.
5. State Street Edge Conditions and Land Use
The State Street edge is treated as a critical threshold between downtown and Foothills.
Rather than creating a passive edge, the concept introduces a new Retail Landing that
helps mark the entrance into the district and invites people toward the river.
New structures along State Street frame the view corridor while supporting active uses,
small retail, and pedestrian-oriented frontage. This creates a stronger downtown
presence and helps the district feel connected to the existing city fabric.
6. Riverfront Edge Conditions and Public Space Network
The riverfront edge is organized as a connected public space network that includes
Foothills Park, the new Park Plaza, pedestrian paths, trail connections, and active
development frontages. The Park Plaza provides a more urban gathering space adjacent
to the park, creating a flexible place for events, markets, outdoor dining, and everyday
public life.
This concept strengthens the riverfront experience by creating a sequence of open
spaces rather than relying on one single destination.
Lake Oswego Foothills Framework Update/Draft Preliminary Development Concepts Memo page 6 of 19
FIRST 7. District Heart, Land Uses, Building Typologies, and Character
FORTY
FEETThe heart of the district is located where the Grand Connection meets the Park Plaza.
This is where the concept concentrates mixed-use activity, ground-floor activation, public
Architecture
Urban Design gathering, and district identity.
Planning
The development character includes a range of residential scales and building types,
812 SW Washington St including affordable missing middle housing, mid-rise buildings, and multi-story
Suite 250
Portland,Oregon 97205 residential development oriented to new streets and the waterfront. These buildings
t:503-764-9692 create active edges, residential stoops, balconies, entries, and ground-floor uses that
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support a lively public realm.
The overall character should feel urban, walkable, and connected to the river—a district
that is active enough to support economic vitality, but carefully scaled to respect
Foothills Park, the riverfront, and Lake Oswego's broader community character.
Lake Oswego Foothills Framework Update/Draft Preliminary Development Concepts Memo page 7 of 19
FIRST FORTY Downtown Plaza to Park Concept
FEET Big Idea
Architecture
Urban Design
Planning Downtown Plaza to Park creates a powerful civic connection between State Street, a
new Downtown Retail Plaza, Foothills Park, and the Willamette River. While all
812 SW Washington St concepts establish a Grand Connection, this concept places the greatest emphasis on
Suite 250
Portland,Oregon 97205 creating a major downtown-facing public plaza as the district's primary arrival point
t:503-764-9692 and social anchor.
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The concept uses the Downtown Plaza to create broad views and vistas toward the
waterfront, making the river visible and understandable from State Street. From there,
the Grand Connection extends across the rail corridor and into Foothills, forming a clear
pedestrian-oriented link to Foothills Park and the riverfront. At the heart of the district, a
new mixed-use center with active retail fronts onto a major waterfront gathering space,
creating a strong destination for residents, visitors, businesses, and the broader Lake
Oswego community.
Downtown Plaza
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Lake Oswego Foothills Framework Update I Draft Preliminary Development Concepts Memo page 8 of 19
FIRST This concept is less about a single street-lined corridor and more about a sequence of
FORTY public rooms—a Downtown Plaza, a rail crossing, an internal district heart, and a
FEETgenerous public space connection to the waterfront.
Architecture
Urban Design
Planning
Concept Description
812 SW Washington St
Suite 250 The Downtown Plaza to Park concept organizes the Foothills District around a major
Portland,Oregon 97205
t:503-764-9692 new public plaza along State Street. This Downtown Retail Plaza acts as a visible
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gateway into the district, a new civic destination for downtown Lake Oswego, and a
viewing platform toward the Willamette River. The plaza creates a strong arrival
experience and opens up major visual connections from downtown down into the
waterfront district.
From the Downtown Plaza, the Grand Connection is a pedestrian and bike crossing of the
rail corridor and continues east into Foothills where it a new tree-lined street, linking
downtown to Foothills Park. Compared to the Park Plaza concept, this alternative allows
for greater flexibility in the scale and character of residential development along the
Grand ConnectionThe concept concentrates the strongest public life and some limited
retail uses t key nodes: the Downtown Plaza at State Street and the waterfront-oriented
mixed-use plaza at the district heart. Street oriented residential uses would be the
activating feature between the key nodes.
At the center of the concept, the street network creates a T-intersection that becomes
the heart of the downtown waterfront. This intersection functions as a "100%corner" —
the place where movement, visibility, active uses, public space, and development
intensity come together. From this corner, a long public space extends east toward the
waterfront, creating a direct civic gesture between the district heart and the river.
A defining difference of this concept is that there is no roadway along the waterfront.
Instead, the riverfront edge is reserved for public space, pedestrian movement,
ecological enhancement, and park-oriented uses. This allows the waterfront to feel more
like an extension of Foothills Park and less like a street edge, strengthening the
experience of arriving at the river.
The wastewater treatment facility is treated as a fully operational piece of civic
infrastructure, but not as the defining experience of the district. As in the other concepts,
its service needs, access, circulation, and footprint are respected. New development,
streets, and public spaces are arranged so that residents and visitors experience the
Grand Connection, plazas, park, and riverfront rather than the operational facility.
Lake Oswego Foothills Framework Update/Draft Preliminary Development Concepts Memo page 9 of 19
FIRST Relationship to Guiding Principles
FORTY
FEETCreate a Walkable, Mixed-Use Waterfront District
Architecture Downtown Plaza to Park creates a walkable district organized around a sequence of
Urban Design connected public spaces. The Downtown Plaza, Grand Connection, internal streets,
Planning
mixed-use district heart, and waterfront public space create a clear framework for
812 SW Washington St movement, gathering, and development. Active ground-floor uses and new housing
Suite 250 support a mixed-use waterfront environment.
Portland,Oregon 97205
t:503-764-9692
www.firstfortyfeet.com Balance Development with the Natural River Environment
By removing a roadway from the waterfront edge, this concept allows the riverfront to
function more strongly as public open space, park edge, and ecological transition zone.
Development is concentrated around the Downtown Plaza, internal streets, and district
heart, while the riverfront is treated as a public and environmental asset.
Reconnect Lake Oswego to the Willamette River and Waterfront
This concept makes the river visually present from State Street through the creation of a
major Downtown Retail Plaza and long view corridor. The Grand Connection, rail
crossing, and public space sequence help overcome the current separation between
downtown and the riverfront.
Support an Inclusive and Economically Vital Community
The Downtown Plaza creates a visible place for local retail, small businesses, food and
beverage uses, public events, and community gathering. The concept also supports a
range of housing types and scales, with greater flexibility in residential development
along the Grand Connection and more active mixed-use development concentrated at key
public spaces.
Integrate Sustainability, Ecology, and Climate Resilience
The waterfront edge can be designed as a resilient public landscape rather than a
vehicular street. This creates opportunities for stormwater management, tree canopy,
habitat restoration, floodplain awareness, shaded pedestrian routes, and climate-adapted
planting.
Plan for Adaptability Over Time
The concept creates a flexible framework of plazas, internal streets, rail crossings,
accessways, development parcels, and waterfront public spaces. The Downtown Plaza
and Grand Connection establish the civic structure, while residential scale, building
typologies, and individual development parcels can adapt over time.
Relationship to Overall Project Objectives
Remove Barriers to Development
Downtown Plaza to Park clarifies how the district can be organized around public space,
Lake Oswego Foothills Framework Update/Draft Preliminary Development Concepts Memo page 10 of 19
FIRST access, and development parcels while minimizing the public-facing impact of the WWTF.
FORTY The concept uses a strong State Street gateway and internal circulation framework to
FEETmake development more legible and marketable.
Architecture
Urban Design Improve Access and Connectivity
Planning The concept improves access by creating a visible and direct connection from State
Street to Foothills Park and the river. The Downtown Plaza, rail crossing, Grand
812 SW Washington St
Suite 250 Connection, internal streets, accessways, and pedestrian-oriented waterfront space
Portland,Oregon 97205
t:503-764-9692 create multiple layers of connectivity.
www.firstfortyfeet.com
Support Affordable and Diverse Housing
This concept provides flexibility in the scale and character of housing along the Grand
Connection. Residential development can include mid-rise housing, mixed-use
residential, missing middle forms, and potentially affordable housing integrated into the
district fabric. The concept's flexibility allows housing to respond to market feasibility,
public goals, and desired neighborhood character.
Encourage High-Quality Design and Public Spaces
Public space is the primary identity of this concept. The Downtown Plaza, 100%corner,
long public space to the waterfront, and riverfront park edge create a strong public
amenity, preserving community access and attractive for private development that can
support high-quality design, active ground floors, landscape design, and memorable
buildings .
Fund Critical Infrastructure Through Urban Renewal
The concept creates clear value around major public investments, including the
Downtown Plaza, rail crossing, Grand Connection, internal streets, and waterfront public
space. These improvements can support private development potential while helping
justify urban renewal investment in infrastructure, access, utilities, and public realm
improvements.
Key Design Moves
1. WWTP Design Approach
The Downtown Plaza to Park concept treats the wastewater treatment facility as a
necessary and fully operational civic infrastructure element. Its footprint, service access,
circulation, and operational requirements are respected, but the district is organized so
the facility does not define the public experience of Foothills.
New development screens the WWTF from the district's most active public spaces.
Foothills Road continues to function as a service-oriented edge, while public movement,
visibility, and development activity are focused along the Downtown Plaza, Grand
Connection, internal streets, and waterfront public spaces. The intent is for residents and
Lake Oswego Foothills Framework Update/Draft Preliminary Development Concepts Memo page 11 of 19
FIRST visitors to experience Foothills as a mixed-use waterfront district, with the WWTF largely
FORTY hidden from view and integrated into the background of the plan.
FEET2. Downtown to River Connection
Architecture
Urban Design
Planning The Grand Connection begins at a new Downtown Retail Plaza on State Street.This
plaza creates a major public arrival point and opens views down toward the waterfront.
812 SW Washington St It is both a gateway and a destination —a place where downtown activity can extend
Suite 250
Portland,Oregon 97205 toward Foothills.
t:503-764-9692
www.firstfortyfeet.com From the plaza, the pedestrian and bicycle connection crosses the rail corridor and
continues east through the district toward Foothills Park. The alignment transitions east
of the rail line into new tree-lined street creating a strong visual and physical link
between downtown and the river, while supporting pedestrian movement, retail activity,
and development access.
The Downtown Plaza, rail crossing, district heart, and waterfront public space each carry
part of the public realm experience.
3. Internal Streets and Future Connections
Internal streets and accessways create a flexible block structure that supports new
development, service access, parking, pedestrian movement, and future connections.
These streets allow development parcels to evolve over time while maintaining a
connected and walkable district framework.
The T-intersection at the heart of the plan becomes the primary organizing point for
internal circulation. This intersection supports access from multiple directions and
concentrates visibility, movement, and development activity at the center of the district.
4. North Portal Options
The north portal remains an important opportunity for additional access and future
district connections. In this concept, the north portal can provide flexibility for future
vehicular, pedestrian, bicycle, or development access without competing with the
primary Downtown Plaza-to-Park connection.
This allows the north end of the district to evolve as conditions change,while the main
identity of the concept remains focused on the State Street plaza, Grand Connection, and
riverfront public space.
5. State Street Edge Conditions and Land Use
The State Street edge is one of the most important features of this concept. Rather than
treating State Street as a boundary, the plan creates a new Downtown Retail Plaza that
opens the district to downtown Lake Oswego and creates a visible invitation toward the
river.
Lake Oswego Foothills Framework Update/Draft Preliminary Development Concepts Memo page 12 of 19
FIRST New retail and mixed-use structures frame the plaza while preserving a broad view
FORTY corridor to the waterfront.This creates a stronger civic presence on State Street and
FEEThelps make Foothills feel like a natural extension of downtown rather than a separated
Architecture district below the hill.
Urban Design
Planning b. Riverfront Edge Conditions and Public Space Network
812 SW Washington St The riverfront edge is designed without a roadway, allowing the waterfront to become a
Suite 250
Portland,Oregon 97205 more continuous public landscape. This is a major distinction of the Downtown Plaza to
t:503-764-9692 Park concept.
www.firstfortyfeet.com
The absence of a riverfront road allows the district to prioritize pedestrian movement,
park connections, ecological enhancement, and flexible public gathering. The long public
space extending from the 100%corner to the waterfront creates a clear civic relationship
between the district heart and the river.
The public space network includes the Downtown Plaza, Grand Connection, Foothills
Park, waterfront gathering areas, internal accessways, and trail connections. Together,
these spaces create a layered and memorable waterfront experience.
7. District Heart, Core Land Uses, Building Typologies, and Character
The district heart is located at the T-intersection where the Grand Connection meets the
internal north-south street system and the long public space to the waterfront.This
location functions as the "100%corner" of Foothills—the place with the greatest
concentration of visibility, access, public life, and mixed-use activity.
Core land uses include mixed-use buildings with active ground-floor retail, residential
development above, flexible commercial spaces, and community-serving uses.
Residential buildings along the Grand Connection can vary in scale, allowing the concept
to respond to different housing goals, market conditions, and urban design objectives.
The overall character of Downtown Plaza to Park should feel like a downtown waterfront
extension: civic, active, visible, and highly connected. It creates a strong public-facing
address on State Street, a memorable crossing into Foothills, and a public space
sequence that culminates at the river.
Lake Oswego Foothills Framework Update/Draft Preliminary Development Concepts Memo page 13 of 19
FIRST FORTY Park Promenade Concept
FEET Big Idea
Architecture Park Promenade organizes the Foothills District around a new tree-lined promenade
Urban Design
Planning street and view corridor that connects State Street to Foothills Park. The big move is
to create new State Street retail frontage and improved crossings at A Avenue and B
812 SW Washington St Avenue, which together form a clearer downtown gatewayinto the district and establish
Suite 250 9
Portland,Oregon 97205 a continuous Grand Connection to the waterfront.
t:503-764-9692
www.firstfortyfeet.com
Compared to the other concepts, Park Promenade allows for larger parcels and
development blocks, creating more flexibility for future redevelopment, phasing, and
building typologies. The Grand Connection is expressed as a strong linear public space
along one side of the promenade, with the potential for future development to the south
to complete the opposite edge over time. This creates an adaptable framework that can
begin with a clear public realm investment and mature into a more complete mixed-use
waterfront street as development occurs.
Park Promenade `
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Lake Oswego Foothills Framework Update I Draft Preliminary Development Concepts Memo page 14 of 19
FIRST Concept Description
FORTY
FEETThe Park Promenade concept creates a new east-west promenade street that links State
Architecture Street to Foothills Park through the heart of the district. This promenade functions as
Urban Design both a movement corridor and a public space —a green, tree-lined street that provides a
Planning
visual connection to the waterfront, supports pedestrian and bicycle movement, and
812 SW Washington St organizes new development around a clear civic spine.
Suite 250
Portland,Oregon 97205 At State Street, the concept introduces new retail frontage and improved crossings at A
t:503-764-9692
www.firstfortyfeet.com Avenue and B Avenue, strengthening the relationship between downtown and Foothills.
These crossings create multiple points of entry into the district, rather than relying on a
single gateway. Together, they help extend downtown activity eastward and make the
transition into Foothills more visible, accessible, and inviting.
The Grand Connection continues from State Street into the district as a promenade
street,with a generous public realm along one side.This one-sided public space
condition allows the district to begin with a strong, implementable open space and
streetscape framework while preserving flexibility for larger development parcels. As
future development occurs to the south, the opposite edge of the promenade can be
completed with active frontages, building entries, stoops, patios, and additional
landscape improvements.
The development pattern in this concept is organized around larger blocks and parcels.
This may support more efficient development, structured parking, larger residential
buildings, mixed-use projects, and phased implementation. New multi-story residential
and mixed-use buildings are oriented toward the promenade, Foothills Park, new
internal streets, and the waterfront. These buildings create active edges along the
promenade and support a more urban district character over time.
As in the other concepts, the wastewater treatment facility is treated as a fully
operational facility whose service needs, access, circulation, and footprint are respected.
New development is used to screen the WWTF, while the district's most public-facing
activity is focused along the promenade, internal streets, Foothills Park, and the
waterfront. Visitors and residents experience the district as a walkable, mixed-use
waterfront neighborhood, while the WWTF remains functional and visually secondary.
Relationship to Guiding Principles
Create a Walkable, Mixed-Use Waterfront District
Park Promenade creates a walkable district structure centered on a tree-lined
promenade street on two streets. Each promenade provides a clear pedestrian-oriented
connection between State Street and Foothills Park,while larger development blocks
support a limited amount of mixed-use and mostly multi-story residential development
over time.
Lake Oswego Foothills Framework Update/Draft Preliminary Development Concepts Memo page 15 of 19
FIRST Balance Development with the Natural River Environment
FORTY The promenade creates a green transition between downtown development and the
FEETriverfront park setting. By emphasizing trees, landscape, views, and pedestrian
Architecture movement, the concept allows development to be organized around a public realm that
Urban Design
Planning supports both urban life and the natural character of the waterfront.
Reconnect Lake Oswego to the Willamette River and Waterfront
812 SW Washington St
Suite 250 This concept reconnects Lake Oswego to the river through multiple State Street
Portland,Oregon 97205 crossings and a continuous Grand Connection to Foothills Park. The promenade street
t:503-764-9692 9
www.firstfortyfeet.com creates a strong visual and physical link that makes the waterfront easier to find, reach,
and experience from downtown.
Support an Inclusive and Economically Vital Community
The concept supports a range of housing and mixed-use opportunities within larger,
flexible development parcels. Retail at State Street, active uses along the promenade,
and mixed-use development near Foothills Park can support local business activity,
community-serving uses, and a more economically resilient district.
Integrate Sustainability, Ecology, and Climate Resilience
The tree-lined promenade provides opportunities for shade, stormwater management,
climate-adapted planting, habitat-supportive landscape design, and green infrastructure.
The concept can use the promenade as a visible sustainability feature that connects
downtown, development, park space, and the waterfront.
Plan for Adaptability Over Time
Park Promenade is especially adaptable because it can begin with a strong one-sided
public space and street framework while allowing future development to complete the
corridor over time. Larger parcels and blocks provide flexibility for phasing, changing
market conditions, infrastructure timing, and multiple housing or mixed-use
development models.
Relationship to Overall Project Objectives
Remove Barriers to Development
The larger parcel and block structure may simplify development feasibility by allowing
more efficient site planning, parking strategies, and phased redevelopment. The concept
also reduces the public-facing impact of the WWTF by screening it with new development
and focusing activity along the promenade and waterfront.
Improve Access and Connectivity
The concept improves connectivity through new State Street retail frontage, crossings at
A Avenue and B Avenue, the promenade street, internal streets, accessways, and links to
Foothills Park. The result is a more legible district with multiple points of entry and a
clear downtown-to-river connection.
Lake Oswego Foothills Framework Update/Draft Preliminary Development Concepts Memo page 16 of 19
FIRST Support Affordable and Diverse Housing
FORTY Larger parcels can support a variety of housing types, including multi-story residential,
FEETmixed-use residential, and potentially affordable or mixed-income housing projects.The
Architecture flexible block structure allows housing strategies to adapt to funding, partnerships, and
Urban Design
Planning implementation opportunities.
Encourage High-Quality Design and Public Spaces
812 SW Washington St
Suite 250 The promenade is the signature public space of this concept. Its success depends on
Portland,Oregon 97205
t:503-764-9692 high-quality streetscape design, generous sidewalks, trees, seating, lighting, active
www.firstfortyfeet.com ground-floor edges, and strong building orientation. As development occurs, the
promenade can evolve into one of the district's most memorable public spaces.
Fund Critical Infrastructure Through Urban Renewal
Park Promenade creates a clear infrastructure investment strategy focused on
crossings, streets, utilities, public realm improvements, and the promenade itself. The
concept's larger development parcels can help support private investment while urban
renewal funds critical connections and streetscape improvements that unlock
development potential.
Key Design Moves
1. WWTP Design Approach
Park Promenade respects the wastewater treatment facility as a fully operational
infrastructure use, including its footprint, service access, circulation, and operational
needs. The concept does not rely on the WWTF as a visible civic feature; instead, it
organizes the district so that the treatment facility is screened by new development and
experienced primarily as a service-oriented back-of-house condition.
Public activity is focused along the promenade street, internal streets, Foothills Park,
and the waterfront. This allows the WWTF to function effectively while reducing its visual
and experiential impact on residents, visitors, and public spaces.
2. Downtown to River Connection
The Grand Connection is expressed as a new tree-lined promenade street and view
corridor connecting State Street to Foothills Park. Rather than concentrating the
connection at a single plaza or landing, this concept strengthens multiple downtown
entry points through new retail frontage and improved crossings at A Avenue and B
Avenue.
The promenade becomes the primary civic spine of the district. It provides a clear route
to the waterfront, frames long views toward Foothills Park, and establishes a public
realm identity that can grow more complete as future development occurs.
3. Internal Streets and Future Connections
Lake Oswego Foothills Framework Update/Draft Preliminary Development Concepts Memo page 17 of 19
FIRST The internal street and accessway network supports larger development blocks while
FORTY maintaining pedestrian connectivity through the district. These internal connections
FEETprovide access for parking, service, circulation, trail links, and future development
Architecture phases.
Urban Design
Planning Because the concept allows larger parcels, internal streets and accessways become
especially important in ensuring that the district remains walkable and porous. They
812 SW Washington St
Suite 250 help balance development efficiency with public access and neighborhood connectivity.
Portland,Oregon 97205
t:503-764-9692 4. North Portal Options
www.firstfortyfeet.com
The north portal continues to provide flexibility for future access and district
connectivity. In the Park Promenade concept, the north portal can support additional
circulation options, trail connections, development access, or a secondary gateway into
the district.
This flexibility is important because the promenade establishes the primary east-west
connection, while the north portal can evolve as additional infrastructure,
redevelopment, or connectivity opportunities emerge.
5. State Street Edge Conditions and Land Use
The State Street edge is activated through new retail frontage and improved pedestrian
crossings at A Avenue and B Avenue. Rather than creating one major State Street plaza,
this concept creates a more distributed edge condition, with multiple downtown-facing
entries into Foothills.
This approach can help stitch the district into the existing downtown fabric and create a
more continuous relationship between State Street businesses, new retail spaces, and
the emerging waterfront district.
b. Riverfront Edge Conditions and Public Space Network
The riverfront public space network is organized around the promenade's arrival at
Foothills Park and the waterfront. The promenade connects directly into park-oriented
public spaces, creating a clear transition from downtown street to waterfront landscape.
New mixed-use development is oriented toward the promenade and Foothills Park,
helping activate the riverfront edge while maintaining public access and open space. The
public space network includes the promenade, Foothills Park, waterfront paths, internal
accessways, and potential future open spaces created through development.
7. District Heart, Core Land Uses, Building Typologies, and Character
The district heart is defined by the promenade itself and its relationship to Foothills Park.
Rather than focusing public life at one single plaza, Park Promenade creates a linear
Lake Oswego Foothills Framework Update/Draft Preliminary Development Concepts Memo page 18 of 19
FIRST district heart—a street-like public space that supports movement, gathering, views, and
FORTY development frontage.
FEETCore land uses include mixed-use buildings, multi-story residential, State Street retail,
Architecture
Urban Design and residential development oriented to new streets, the promenade, and the waterfront.
Planning Building typologies may be larger and more development-efficient than in the other
concepts, with opportunities for structured parking, courtyard housing, mixed-use
812 SW Washington St
Suite 250 blocks, and mid-rise residential.
Portland,Oregon 97205
t:503-764-9692 The overall character should feel like a green urban waterfront street: walkable, shaded,
www.firstfortyfeet.com
visually connected to the river, and capable of supporting active mixed-use development
over time.
Lake Oswego Foothills Framework Update/Draft Preliminary Development Concepts Memo page 19 of 19