Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) recently announced the launch of the two-stage open design competition for Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
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.
The Park will be re-envisioned as a premier destination that welcomes residents, families, workers and visitors, a place that celebrates the city’s diverse cultural and Indigenous heritage. New infrastructure will better support major events, civic celebrations, and everyday memory-making – boosting the local economy and reenergizing the Central City core.
The estimated capital project budget for the redevelopment of the Bowl alone is at circa US $40 million. The design competition is funded by a Metro 2040 Grant that was awarded in 2025. The intention is to raise further funding for design development of the Park and phased construction through a combination of private and public funding.
The design competition, which has been keenly anticipated by the local community and potential competitors, is open to all local, regional, national, and international firms. No design work is required in the first stage; in the second stage, shortlisted teams will receive a further briefing and be asked to create concept designs for the entire 30-acre Park, with a focus on the Bowl area.
The official language of the competition is US English. The competition’s first stage is open until 16:00 PDT (UTC-7) on Thursday, July 30. The competition’s second stage is anticipated to start in mid-September; the winner will be announced in Spring 2027.
No design proposals are asked for at the first stage (Request for Qualifications) – rather 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.
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
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