View the Reynolds Industrial Site History. |
Bordered by the Columbia and Sandy Rivers, and located in close proximity to Interstate 84, Portland International Airport (PDX), Troutdale Airport, and the Union Pacific rail line, the Reynolds industrial site is uniquely situated to serve the region's future industrial and transportation needs.
In 2004, the Port Commission approved the Port of Portland's purchase of 700 acres of industrial property currently owned by Reynolds Metals Inc. A purchase agreement between Reynolds and the Port has been signed, and over the last two years Reynolds has demolished the old plant and implemented an environmental cleanup of the site. It is anticipated that the Port will take possession of the property in early 2007.
View the Reynolds Industrial Site Map. |
Located in East Multnomah County and near the cities of Fairview, Troutdale and Wood Village, the Reynolds industrial site is the largest remaining zoned industrial property inside the region's Urban Growth Boundary.
The Port’s long term preferred plan for the site was originally an intermodal rail yard. Due to community concerns and lack of market interest, the Port will no longer pursue the intermodal rail yard concept. We will instead develop the property as an industrial site. The first step will be annexation of most of the property to the City of Troutdale. The western portion of the site is already in the City of Fairview. After annexation, we will pursue the first phase of development, which will be approximately 100 acres on the south edge of the property abutting the Port’s Troutdale Airport. The types of uses anticipated are a mix of manufacturing and distribution. Development of the site is expected to occur over two to three years, following final acquisition of the property. Streets, sewer, water and storm drainage improvements are needed prior to marketing these land parcels. Development of the entire site may take more than 10 years.
View the Cascade Columbia River District Map. |
The Port has been participating in the Columbia Cascade River District working group, which is a collaboration of the Cities of Troutdale, Fairview, Wood Village and Gresham for the area north of I-84. This group was formed as part of the East Metro Economic Alliance to work on a vision for economic development of this area. The Oregon Land Conservation and Development Commission has awarded a grant to this group through the City of Troutdale. The grant work will produce an economic development action plan for the area. It will help create a common marketing identity, identify development constraints and infrastructure requirements and identify development codes for potential changes.
Past development experience shows that large industrial parks can support between 10-15 jobs per acre. For example, a 100 acre industrial park may yield 1000-1500 jobs. The region's economic future would also benefit from area road improvements, recreational access and environmental enhancements.
The Reynolds site is important to both local and regional stakeholders, and we believe a public entity, such as the Port of Portland, is the property's best possible owner. In deciding the use for the site, the Port can take a greater number of stakeholder needs into consideration, look into a wider variety of potential uses, accommodate higher design standards, be more patient in the development process, and better leverage transportation and other infrastructure improvements than a private developer.
The Port is a member of the regional community, and many of our employees, suppliers and contractors live locally. Therefore, we understand and are committed to protecting the region's values by integrating community and environmental concerns into Port development projects and day-to-day operations.
 The Port has a long history of reaching out and involving the community in development projects. For example, the Toyota redevelopment project
was recently completed with support from the St. Johns community. The project has resulted in environmental enhancements and the retention of family wage jobs.
- The Port plans to share development concepts for this site with the community as we move forward with annexation.
History
The U.S. government built the existing aluminum plant in 1941 to support its wartime operations. The property was purchased in 1949 by Reynolds Metals, which ceased plant operations in 2000.
Superfund Site
Currently listed by the federal government as a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Superfund site, Reynolds Metals is in the process of cleaning up the property to EPA industrial, but not residential, standards. For more information about the Reynolds site, its Superfund listing and cleanup progress, please visit the EPA's Web site.
Industrial Zoning
The site is predominantly zoned industrial.
Power Lines
Steel power line towers owned by the Bonneville Power Administration, Portland General Electric and Pacific Power, run through the property and will limit development beneath them. Relocation of the power lines would be difficult and costly.
Environmental Features
The property is located at the confluence of the Sandy and Columbia rivers and contains many acres of wetlands. The site will need to be developed in a way that is sensitive to these environmental considerations.
Aircraft Safety Restrictions
Due to the proximity of the site to the Troutdale Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration requires any development of the site to be done in a way that will not present a wildlife hazard to aircraft.
For more information, please e-mail Christine White, Community Affairs Manager, or call her at 503.944.7153.
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