The Columbia River Gorge Commission met virtually yesterday by Zoom, and along with routine updates came a couple of announcements by the Forest Service. Planning and Natural Resources Staff Officer Casey Gatz had this update on plans by the City of Troutdale:
“The community of Troutdale is having a public meeting February 27th, to talk about a multimodal [unknown] center at a lot adjacent to the outlet stores, right off 84 and near the Sandy River delta, looking at promoting themselves as the Gateway to the Gorge and providing some mass transit and other opportunities. As more information comes out, we can forward it on.”
And travelers to Multnomah Falls on the historic Columbia River Highway will find a new situation this summer. Donna Mickley, Forest Supervisor for the National Scenic Area, who is a nonvoting member of the Gorge Commission made this announcement:
“Sasquatch Shuttles, which operates throughout the waterfall corridor, has signed a lease, and is planning to charge a fee for parking along the historic highway and the parking lot that is adjacent to the lodge. That was kind of a surprise development for the Forest Service, which continues to look into the ownership of that lot, but that will be certainly a change for people. I want to share with you all that is in the plans.”
Mickley did not have any details on when the parking charge would begin or what the cost will be.