Wilsonville Town Center Plan

Fifty years ago, the population of Wilsonville, located south of Portland, Oregon, was 1,000. The Town Center area was mostly open fields. Now about 25,000 people call Wilsonville home and it was time to reinvigorate the Town Center. The vision: Residents and visitors come to the Town Center for shopping, dining, culture, socializing and entertainment; it is the heart of Wilsonville.

The community-driven Plan is a roadmap for how the Town Center can achieve its vision and better serve the interests and needs of residents, visitors, businesses and local employees. It includes the vision, comprehensive plans, development code, design guidelines, a transportation plan and a prioritized implementation plan.

Public input included over 100 community events: a community kick-off event and workshop, stakeholder interviews, technical partner meetings, community “out and abouts,” Idea Labs at public facilities, and Planning Commission and City Council meetings. Plus, a community block party attracted hundreds of participants and incorporated food trucks, a floor map, a chalk art contest, and interactive design feedback exercises. An online mapping survey and polls garnered 2,000 responses each. Project materials and public outreach were often provided in Spanish. An interactive website (wilsonvilletowncenter.com) continues to serve as a dynamic project portal.

Winner of the Oregon Chapter of the American Planning Association award for community engagement.