City Council unanimously adopts the South Downtown Plan

With City Council unanimously passing a resolution adopting the South Downtown Plan at its Sept. 6, 2011 Council Meeting, Milwaukie’s Planning Department will now begin the work of realigning its policies in order to accommodate the objectives of the plan.

Over the next year the Planning Department will amend its Comprehensive Plan, Downtown Plan and Zoning Code to allow a plaza and a creative mix of stores, residencies and offices that activate the south end of town. The Planning Commission and Design and Landmarks Committee will be heavily involved as staff drafts these amendments. The standing policies and zoning envision an office park, entertainment complex and parking lot.

Since the spring of 2008 the City has been developing a new vision for its South Downtown - the area south of Washington that will host Milwaukie's future light rail station and lies between McLoughlin Boulevard and 21st Ave. The process began with almost 40 Milwaukians voicing their hopes and desires for future development in this part of downtown Milwaukie, and the creation of a document that organized those opinions.

From there, a Steering Committee worked to achieve a single concept that would materialize all those good ideas into a redevelopment plan -- centered on a plaza with strong connections to Riverfront Park, the future light rail station, the Kellogg Creek natural area, and Main Street.