b'FOGHORN FOCUS The Willamette River isthatundertaking,knownastheBigPipeProject,wrappedupin2011,andtheWillametteRiveriscleanertodaythancleaner today than it hasithasbeenindecades.Socleanthatitissafetoswim,pad-dle,andboatalmosteverydayoftheyearafactnotlostbeen in decades. So cleanonthethousandsofPortlanderswhofrolicintheriverthat it is safe to swim, dailyduringsummer.TheBigPipeProjectmighthavelaunched30yearsago,butpaddle, and boat almostitremainsaninspirationallookathowcityleadershavemettheneedsofcitizensandvisitorshead-on,andhowtheyevery day of the year. continuetodosotoday.SignsofPortlandspost-COVID-19rebirthandregrowthaboundalloverthecity.Theycanbefoundinanearlyexcessoverflowroutinelypouredoutofsewersandintothe emptymallthatsfoundnewlifeasahavenforPortlandsriverduringperiodsofheavyrain. creativecommunities,thegrowingnumberoffoodhallsservingglobalcuisineacrossthecityandinathree-month-ButthecityofPortlandandtheOregonDepartmentof longbikefestivalthatcelebratesPortlandscyclingcultureEnvironmental Quality collaborated on a massive, de- withcountlessfestiverides(thebiggestbeingtheWorldNa-cades-longefforttodivertstormwaterawayfromtheriver; kedBikeRidewhichdrawsthousandsofridersannually).Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park is the setting for many events that take place in the city throughout the year. Portland is known as the City of Bridges for the 12 bridges that span the Willamette River.FOGHORN 24'