OMSI District Waterfront Projects Seek Design Teams
Interested firms must submit letters of interest by October 26 to lead the new waterfront park and district plan.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Remote Work
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Design firms are now being sought for the future OMSI District, which includes a new waterfront park and a district-wide identity plan. The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission are jointly leading the search for teams to helm these projects along the Willamette River.
Why it matters
The Waterfront Education Park aims to integrate tribal history with river access and science education, while the district identity plan is a mandatory component of the city's broader Central City Master Plan. It remains to be seen how the remaining funding gap for the park will be bridged.
The Waterfront Education Park carries an estimated cost of $30 million to $50 million, supported by $18 million in secured funding from OMSI and Metro. The remaining budget required for the project is currently unknown.
The players
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
A Portland science center leading the development of the new district projects.
Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
A tribal organization partnering to ensure the waterfront park celebrates tribal presence.
Metro
The regional government body that has provided $7 million in funding for the waterfront park.
The details
Interested firms must submit a one-page letter of interest to receive qualification materials for the two projects. Following a competitive selection process, a short list of teams will be established in December, with a final design team expected to be selected by mid-March 2027. The successful team will shape how the district interacts with the Willamette River through habitat restoration and educational spaces.
Timeline
October 26, 2026: Deadline to submit letters of interest.
November 20, 2026: Deadline for request for qualifications responses.
December 11, 2026: Announcement of the project short list.
February 2027: Deadline for request for proposal responses.
Mid-March 2027: Selection of the final design team.
Beyond the Bridges
The new district identity plan is a direct requirement of the city's Central City Master Plan. This search for design partners follows the city's long-term strategy for redeveloping the east bank of the Willamette River.
Residents can expect to see major shifts in the OMSI District landscape as these projects move through the multi-year design phase. Construction and design planning will eventually influence public river access and pedestrian traffic along the east bank of the Willamette.
The takeaway
The OMSI District is entering a critical design phase that will redefine waterfront access and science education in the city. Keep an eye on the mid-March 2027 selection announcement to see which firms will lead the transformation of the riverfront.
What happens next
Firms interested in the project must submit their letter of interest by October 26, 2026, to receive the request for qualifications materials.
Further reading
For more on the evolving layout of our city’s employment and civic zones, see Remote Work.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Journal of Commerce.
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