Beyond the Pond: Bold Bend plan unveiled

A new twist in the saga surrounding Mirror Pond doesn’t end at ripping out an aging dam, but could change the entire look and feel of Bend’s downtown the riverfront.

The Mirror Pond Ad Hoc Committee revealed a bold new plan at its meeting Friday afternoon — one its authors said offers the both of best worlds in the years-long debate over how to best deal with the silt filling the water and slowly chocking the pond.

Bend Parks and Rec Executive Director Don Horton said the plan calls for the removal of the century-old Pacific Power dam and the installation of a new water impoundment that also would serve as a fish passage.

A draft of the plan states the impoundment would create a series of pools and riffles that would make the water more river-like, but also nearly maintain the historic levels of Mirror Pond that create the pond-like effect that has been a scenic Bend mainstay for a century.

Committee officials said achieving all of this — this multimillion dollar project, with no firm price tag and a potential 10- to 20-year timeframe — wouldn’t cost taxpayers a dime.

“We want to take some of the land that is immediately along the river and re-purpose that property and bring in more development for restaurants and retail and residential development,” Horton said.

That means it could cost downtown visitors some prime parking spots, though they would have to be replaced elsewhere.

Details of the proposal show that the two Mirror Pond Parking lots along with Pacific Park, the PacifiCorp powerhouse, parking lot and substation would be axed — making way for new buildings on some very valuable waterfront land.

Profits generated from the land sales or rental fees for new spaces would go toward redevelopment of the pond and new water impoundment, they said.

Horton said the city, Parks and Rec, PacifiCorp and the private sector each own about a quarter of the land outlined in the proposal, although he didn’t know exactly how many acres that encompasses.

City Councilor Victor Chudowsky said the plan is exciting and smart.

“It absolutely does not make sense that we’re using one of the most beautiful areas of Bend to park cars,” Chudowsky said. “I think it’s the best of both worlds. We’re improving Mirror Pond for a whole bunch of uses, we’re improving access to the river by creating pedestrian promenades along the river, and we’re improving and expanding our downtown retail area.”

Downtown Bend Business Association Executive Chuck Arnold expressed excitement at the meeting, but said it would be important to replace the removed parking lots and also add public restrooms.

More than 50 Bend residents attended the meeting, several speaking out in favor of the new plan.

“It’s a fantastic compromise,” said Kurt Rymer. “I own property on the river, and when you look across you look at the substation, you look at the powerhouse, and that property could be absolutely gorgeous.”

Rymer said his only concern was that receding water levels from the dam removal might leave part of his property marshy, if the new water feature leaves the pond lower than expected.

Bend resident Pam Didente also liked what she heard.

“I’m very excited about it,” Didente said. “I think it’s creative, positive and forward-thinking, at first glance.”

There is, however, one major player in the game that has yet to sign on: PacifiCorp, the owner of the dam and substation. But they are sounding cautiously hopeful, at this early stage in the discussions over the new proposal.

The plan would require the utility to give up ownership of the dam — which it has said is no longer needed — and surrounding land, while paying to move its substation moved to another location. That alone is estimated to cost millions.

“This is a very exciting plan,” said PacifiCorp spokeswoman Angela Price. “Now we want to see how we can make this concept work for us, and see if the city can achieve its future vision.”

Other features of the proposal include expanding Brooks Park, connecting the Deschutes River Trail to new development and downtown, and restoring the historic powerhouse into a restaurant or other business

Horton said the committee doesn’t yet know how much the total project will cost or how long it would take; City Councilor Mark Capell estimated a 10- to 20-year time frame for the more ambitious elements.

Horton said he also doesn’t know how much the money would be generated from the redevelopment.

The next step in the process is community feedback. You can weigh and give your thoughts, as well as view more details of the plan, by visiting http://mirrorpondbend.com/Visions.php

The first of a series of public meetings is to be held on Dec. 4, although a time has not yet been announced.