Page 128 - Corvallis, OR Historic Preservation Plan

Historic Preservation Plan

is, '"A debate about balancing open space and hard-surfaced recreation
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areas. In 2002, after 30 years of public debate and $15 million
investment, the linear park opened as a highly successful gathering
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Mi place that promotes community identity and pride.

Shawala Point

Shawala Point At the confluence of the Marys and Willamette Rivers, Shawala Point
was also at the confluence of trade in both historic and pre-historic
times. Native People camped, fished, hunted and traded here. Later,
the point provided a convenient location for sawmill operations.
During the 1980s, the City considered sale and development of the
point as a hotel/convention center. Today, it is part of the City’s Parks
mil and Trails system.
11 It
Sunnyside School, 3525 Hwy 99W (Moved)

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Around 1912, a wood-frame Craftsman style school replaced the one-
Sunnyside School room 1897 Mudflat School. In 1929 when the school districts were
reorganized, Sunnyside School closed, and became a residence. By
2013, property owners decided on demolition, but were willing to
consider a move. A local hero intervened to generously pay moving
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90 costs to nearby city land. Although the distance to the new site was
less than a mile, Sunnyside needed to pass power lines that serve the
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regional hospital, requiring complex arrangements for uninterrupted
service. With the roof removed, the school moved in segments
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avoiding utility challenges. In early 2014, Sunnyside School climbed the
hill west of the Knotts-Owens farmhouse to its new location, where it
will become an education center for the historic Knotts-Owens Farm.
Van Buren Bridge
Van Buren Bridge, 1st Street at the
Willamette River

The 1913 Van Buren Street Bridge is Oregon’s only remaining example
of a movable bridge built with rare pin-connection technology, and is
the first bridge to span the Willamette River at Corvallis. The bridge’s
main swing span pivoted the deck to open for river traffic, replacing
ferry service located nearby. The State of Oregon acquired the bridge
in 1938 when the roadway became State Highway 34.

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) designated the Van
Buren Bridge functionally obsolete in the 1970s and constructed a
partial downtown Corvallis bypass. In 2006, ODOT convened a study
to consider replacing the Van Buren Bridge and building a northern
bypass bridge to relieve congestion. In response to local efforts, the
Oregon State Historic Preservation Office determined that the Van
Buren Bridge, a locally designated historic resource, was also eligible
for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The ODOT study
concluded that both projects would not reduce increased commuter
demand, and the historic Van Buren Bridge remains in place.

122 City of Corvallis