Grand Ronde tribes to take down Blue Heron administration building in next round of demolition for Tumwata Village

The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde will begin demolishing the former Blue Heron Paper Mill administration building this week as part of a fourth round of demolitions at the site in Oregon City. The administration building is located at 427 Main Street on the northeast corner of the mill property closest to downtown.

The demolition work will continue for five or six weeks, according to a May 29 press release from the tribal group.

CTGR purchased the 23-acre Blue Heron mill site , which sits above Willamette Falls on land the tribes ceded to the federal government in the 19th century, for $15 million in 2019. The Willamette Falls were a crucial part of culture, sustenance and trading for tribes, including those that today make up CTGR, for centuries before white settlers arrived.

Restoring access to the falls, which became an area dominated by industrialization after settlers arrived, has long been a goal of CTGR and other tribal groups in the region. To meet that goal, CTGR is working on a plan for Tumwata Village, its new name for the Blue Heron Paper Mill site .

“We could not be more grateful or excited to see our continued progress at Willamette Falls,” CTGR Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy said in the press release. “We’ve already come so far, and removing the administration building will bring us even closer to our vision. This important step gives us healing and hope for the future of our ancestral lands.”

Centered partially on the idea of healing the land and restoring the area to its natural state, CTGR’s plans for Tumwata Village include establishing riparian habitat and natural open spaces and allowing mixed-use development such as a hotel, event space, restaurants, shops and offices. The tribes have received funds from Congress and the Environmental Protection Agency for environmental cleanup of the site and infrastructure improvements.

The tribes began the first phase of demolition at the mill site in 2021, completing subsequent phases of demolition in 2022 and 2023, and have deconstructed about 40% of the site.

“The Tribe is working to minimize any disruption to residents during the 5-6 weeks of demolition,” the tribe’s press release stated. “The Tribe recognizes the former administration building is a highly visible part of Oregon City history, and some residents may feel a connection to it. The Tribe is looking forward to welcoming the public to the new village and restored falls.”