Pedestrian river walk paves way for condos
Wednesday, March 24, 2004 7:32 AM PST
By Venice Buhain
Printable version
E-mail this articleRAINIER -- A developer of a proposed $9 million riverfront condo project got the Rainier Planning Commission's approval Tuesday night, after compromising with a plan for a riverside pedestrian walkway.
Dan Miller, project manager with TFT Custom Homes of Scappoose, said the company wants to start building the 30-unit, 2.5-acre project within 90 days.
The condos would be two-story, two- and three-bedroom units built similar to duplexes, said Miller. The company hopes the units will sell for $154,000 to $175,000, he said.
Miller said TFT Custom Homes plans to develop the project after buying the 2.5 acres from property owner Mike Avent, who is also a city councilman.
The Planning Commission objected to TFT Custom Homes' proposal that the riverfront walkway not go between the condos and the river but rather would go behind the condos.
Planning Commissioner Howard Cusic worried the original layout would jeopardize a city plan to build a pathway for pedestrians and bicycles along the Columbia River along the city's waterfront.
Project engineer David Boatman said direct access to the Columbia River is be a major selling point for the project.
"What we're trying to propose as a waterfront property, not water-view property," he said. "There's a big difference in the market as to what we could obtain."
Miller proposed dropping the walkway toward the river, about 4 feet lower than the condo's backyards to maintain a level of privacy, which the Planning Commission accepted.
Planning Commissioner Chairman Craig Smith said he felt the change would enhance the project for the other 20 units in the development that are not adjacent to the river because they would gain access to the riverfront.
"It would benefit those not in the front row," he said.
The next step is for the proposal to go to the Rainier City Council for approval.
The subdivision, renamed last night to Riverview Estates, would push A Street further west into undeveloped land. Earlier it had been called Columbia River Estates.
Crews extended the city's downtown street last year during an extensive redesign of Riverfront Park. The extension provided access from downtown to the senior housing complex and the city's senior center.
The proposed project would be only the second subdivision in the city's recent history. Last year, the city approved the 26-lot Norwood Heights, which was the first subdivision planned for Rainier in about a decade.
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