Peter Courtney Minto Island Bridge and Trail

Peter Courtney Minto Island Bridge and Trail
Project Benefits and Opportunities
Since 1975, a pedestrian connection between Minto Island and Downtown has been envisioned by the Urban
Renewal Agency, City Council, and broader community. Since 2007, the City and Agency have taken steps to
prepare for the Bridge and Trail and conducted significant public outreach to raise awareness of the project.
The Bridge and Trail continue to be a top priority for the City and are identified in several supporting plans and
studies for many of our partners, including the Governor’s Regional Solutions Team.
Conceptual illustration of the Peter Courtney Minto
Island Bridge in Riverfront Park.
Conceptual illustration of the Peter Courtney Minto
Island Bridge from Minto Island.
Project Benefits
The Bridge and Trail is the last
critical link in connecting 1000 acres
of parks and more than 20 miles
of off-street trails between south
Salem, downtown, and West Salem.
When combined, this acreage is
larger than New York City’s Central
Park. When other planned trail
connections are complete, including
under the Commercial Street Bridge,
the project will link eight popular
parks and more than 30 miles of
trails, connecting parks and other
key downtown institutions, including
the Capitol Mall, Willamette
University, and Salem Hospital.
These connections will serve as
Salem’s largest off-street pedestrian
network; provide a welcoming, safe,
alternative to current travel to Minto
Brown Island Park on River Road;
and an improved route for Oregon’s
Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway.
www.cityofsalem.net/MintoBridge
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Benefits for Downtown
Links Parks and Employment
• Significant amenity for downtown employers - important for attracting and maintaining employees.
• Added enhancement for downtown travel on foot or bike at lunchtime or after work.
Incents Housing and Other Investments
• 2011 National Homebuyers Association survey cited access to parks and recreational trails as the #2 factor for
homebuyers.
• 2009 CEOs for Cities study found that homes located in areas with above average walk and bikeability are
worth more than $34,000 than homes located in areas with average walk and bikeability.
Added Attraction for Downtown Visitors
• Provides another attraction for those visiting downtown for shopping, dining, parks or attending events at
Salem Conference Center.
• Additional recreational opportunities increase demand for local bicycle and running equipment, retail,
services, and restaurants in close proximity.
• Other cities report that shoppers arriving by foot or bike make more frequent stops and return often, given
the added convenience of arriving right at the door (no parking hassles, etc.).
Recreational Events and Tourism
• Miles of connecting trails along waterways and through parks offers opportunities for marathons and
recreational events, which, in turn, contribute to new investment in downtown (the Eugene Marathon
contributed $3.5M to the local economy its first year).
• 2011 Dean Runyan Associates study cited that visitors to the Salem area invested $500M in the local economy.
• Visitor dollars strengthen the local economy, supporting 6,220 jobs and generating $2.5M in local tax
revenues.
• Oregon’s Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway will be re-routed over the Bridge and Trail. Enhancements are
likely to expand ridership along this popular statewide route.
Image and Identity
• Bridge design is unique to Oregon.
• Project complements the Historic Union Street Railroad Bridge renovation.
• Bridge design will help shape Salem’s image, skyline and waterfront for years to come.
Livability
• Residents and employers value access to parks and recreation as an important community asset.
Sustainability
• Bridge and Trail and efforts to pursue funding for the acquisition of Minto Island are consistent with the
Willamette River Legacy Program to improve River access, expand parks in the Willamette Greenway, and
build upon efforts to enhance this former industrial site for passive recreation, wildlife viewing, and habitat
restoration.
Conceptual illustration of the pedestrian and bicycle trail on Minto Island.
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