Portland Waterfront Park Design Competition: Gov. Tom McCall Waterfront Park

The Portland Waterfront Park Design Competition is an open, two-stage competition to transform Gov. Tom McCall Waterfront Park in Portland, Oregon. At stage two, shortlisted teams will create concept designs for the 30-acre Park with a focus on the Bowl area.

The project focuses on one of Portland’s most iconic public spaces and is expected to reaffirm Portland’s identity as a river city. One of the most consequential civic projects for Portland this decade, it will activate the river’s edge and foster a ‘toes in the water’ human connection as well as create new and inspiring views to the Park and the Willamette River. Improved physical connections to neighboring Downtown are expected along with advancing the Willamette’s ecological recovery and biodiversity. New infrastructure will better support major events, civic celebrations and everyday memory making – boosting the local economy and reenergizing the Central City core.

Overseen by the client – Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) and in combination with multi-bureau coordinated efforts, this project is one of the Mayor’s priorities for downtown revitalization. The estimated capital project budget for the redevelopment of the Bowl alone is at circa US $40 million.

The competition's first stage is a Request for Qualifications (RFQ). No design proposals are required; designers will need to study the Search Statement (available as part of the RFQ documentation) and submit their approach to the project, experience and relevant design skills and propose a design team, including an Architect/Landscape Architect registered in the State of Oregon. 

Firms will need to follow instructions and submit via the City of Portland’s online portal. The process is facilitated by City of Portland Central Procurement Services.

The deadline for first stage responses is: 16:00 PDT (UTC-7) on Thursday, July 30.

Full details of the competition, which is run by global architect search and selection specialists, Malcolm Reading Consultants, are available on the dedicated competition website at: competitions.malcolmreading.com/portlandwaterfront