With local health guidelines limiting in-person gatherings, EnviroIssues’ Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge team was faced with the question of how to best invite stakeholders to the project area. Each side of this key Willamette River crossing includes a variety of businesses, service providers and iconic landmarks—such as the Burnside Skatepark and the Saturday Market at Waterfront Park—that will face significant impacts as the bridge is replaced with a new earthquake-safe structure.
In order to familiarize local stakeholders with the unique challenges and features surrounding the Burnside Bridge, as well as update them on the project’s preferred alternatives, we had originally planned walking tours of the corridor. However, with COVID-19 making this no longer a safe option, EnviroIssues’ Creative Studio got involved to produce a video tour. Featuring Multnomah County staff at key points on the corridor alongside maps and renderings, the video was a great opportunity to work collaboratively across teams and test out techniques for socially distanced filming and production. We shared the captioned video on YouTube, Facebook and the project website, allowing all interested parties to tour the project area from the comfort (and safety) of their own homes!
