Gov. Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Portland, OR
© Sean P. TwomeyPortland, OR. May 6, 2026 – Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) announced today that it has engaged architect search specialist Malcolm Reading Consultants (MRC) to manage the forthcoming design competition for the Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park. The open competition is expected to launch in Summer 2026 and run for six months.
PP&R aims to create a vibrant, sustainable space that strengthens the connection between the community, visitors, and the Willamette River that defines Portland, including improved river access, flexible and welcoming park spaces and a restored river edge ecology.
‘The City is excited to see Portland Parks & Recreation launch this open design competition as a way to invite bold, creative thinking and attract exceptional talent to one of our city’s most cherished public spaces,’ says Portland Mayor Keith Wilson.
‘The Waterfront Park Bowl Project represents a unique opportunity to reimagine how Portlanders and visitors connect with the Willamette River – ecologically, culturally, and socially. As Portland continues to evolve, this effort reflects our commitment to inclusive, sustainable design and to strengthening the distinctive character that sets our city apart.’
Malcolm Reading, Competition Director, Malcolm Reading Consultants, said:
‘We are delighted to manage this competition for Portland Parks & Recreation, and excited to start preparations.
‘What a fascinating design challenge for ambitious and talented teams led by architects and landscape architects. The site at the epicenter of the city brims with civic and cultural promise – it’s poised for change.
‘A key message to competitors will be that this creative renewal needs to resonate with Portlanders, speak to their pride in the city, and must be theirs to own.’
To achieve PP&R’s ambitions for a design that reflects Portland’s values and priorities, Portland-based social impact consultancy Interplay will lead the competition’s community engagement strategy, including focus groups, public events and feedback sessions.
Camille E. Trummer, Founder and Principal, Interplay, said:
‘This project represents a rare opportunity to shape one of Portland’s most iconic public spaces at a moment when the city is actively redefining its relationship to place, community, and the river.
‘Interplay will ensure that community voice is meaningfully integrated at key moments throughout the competition. Through inclusive and thoughtful engagement that is grounded in lived experience, we’ll help translate Portlanders’ aspirations into insight that strengthens the design process and ensures the future of the waterfront reflects the values of the people it serves.’
PP&R has also formed a Project Advisory Committee (PAC) to help inform project decisions. PAC membership will soon be posted on PP&R’s website: www.portland.gov/parks/waterfront
Stretching along the west bank of the Willamette River, Gov. Tom McCall Waterfront Park plays a key role in boosting the local economy and serving city and regional residents.
When complete, the redeveloped park will permanently enhance the Portland waterfront by strengthening connections between downtown and the river, celebrating Indigenous and cultural heritage, and creating a unique Portland destination that supports community life, economic growth, housing, transportation, and tourism.
This project, in combination with multi-bureau coordinated efforts, is one of the mayor’s priorities for downtown revitalization. In 2025, Metro Council awarded PP&R a $750,000 2040 Planning and Development Grant to support the Gov. Tom McCall Waterfront Park Bowl Redevelopment Project and partnership development through an intergovernmental agreement (IGA).
The competition’s first stage will be an open call and is expected to launch in Summer 2026. Interested firms will need to propose a design team, including a qualified Architect/Landscape Architect of Record (registered in the State of Oregon). Those who would like to be notified at the competition’s launch can sign up to receive information about the competition online at: competitions.malcolmreading.com/portlandwaterfront
Interested firms will need to register via the City of Portland’s online portal.
The leading global specialist in design team selection for museums and arts, heritage and non-profit organizations, London-based MRC has recently worked with Houston Endowment, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (Kansas City), the Queen Elizabeth II National Memorial Masterplan, the Dallas Museum of Art, and Powerhouse Parramatta, Sydney, amongst others. Overall, the consultancy has handled more than 250 design team selection processes worldwide and has attracted a dedicated following of top-tier established and emerging designers.
Led by a fourth-generation Portlander, social impact consultancy Interplay will help translate Portland’s lived experience into actionable insight that gives the design competition clarity, depth, and legitimacy grounded in community values.
Notes to Editors
Portland Parks & Recreation
Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) serves as the steward of Portland’s natural beauty and community vitality, managing a diverse portfolio of over 11,000 acres of land that includes neighborhood parks, community centers, and expansive urban forests.
Committed to the health and well-being of all residents, the bureau provides equitable access to high-quality recreational programs, environmental education, and safe outdoor spaces. Through a focus on ecological sustainability and social equity, PP&R ensures that Portland’s world-class park system remains a vibrant, inclusive resource where nature and community connect for generations to come.
To learn more, visit portland.gov/parks.
Malcolm Reading Consultants
Malcolm Reading Consultants (MRC) is a strategic consultancy that helps clients to imagine and define contemporary environments, both built and natural. MRC is the leading specialist in devising and managing competitive selection processes. We believe in the power of design to create new perceptions and act as an inspiration.
MRC has completed over 250 assignments in settings including Antarctica and Australia; London and Washington, D.C.; Oxford and Cambridge; and Houston and Riyadh, for extraordinary and emblematic projects representing over US$50 billion of construction value.
Interplay
Interplay is a social impact consultancy specializing in strategic communications and community engagement for complex civic and public-sector initiatives. The firm partners with governments, nonprofits, philanthropies, businesses, and cross-sector coalitions to design and deliver inclusive processes that align stakeholders, surface community priorities, and inform decision-making.
With deep experience in high-stakes, multi-stakeholder environments, Interplay translates public input into clear, actionable insight – helping ensure that policy, planning, and design processes are both responsive and grounded in community values.
Based in Portland, Oregon, Interplay is led by a fourth-generation Portlander. The firm works nationally with organizations – from Seattle to Charlottesville – to advance equitable and sustainable futures.
