Arch rises above downtown Troutdale

Community cheers completed project

By Shannon Wells

The Gresham Outlook, Mar 16, 2010, Updated Mar 16, 2010 (6 Reader comments)

Jim Clark / The Outlook

A steel worker directs the lowering of the Troutdale Centennial Arch into place Tuesday morning, March 16.

“It fits!”

That was the collective shout from contractors as a towering crane placed the third and final section of steel arch between metal supports on either side of the Historic Columbia River Highway.

Positioning the 68-foot steel Centennial Arch across the street on Tuesday morning, March 16, took less than three hours.

Orchestrated by Bremik Construction and Columbia Wire & Iron Works, the seamless operation belied four years of conceptualizing, planning, fundraising and controversy leading to the monument – a bona fide “Gateway to the Gorge” at the entrance to downtown – becoming a reality.

Among the scattered onlookers taking in the event, perhaps no one felt more relief and joy than Rip Caswell. The renowned sculptor initially conceived the arch concept and sculpted the two 7-foot-long bronze trout – appropriately twisting upstream toward the Columbia River – that grace the support structures on either side.

“I had my doubts so many times,” Caswell said of the drawn-out process. “I thought ‘How many times do I have to promote this idea?’ This really is a test of what a group of people with a vision and common goal can accomplish.

“It is an exciting day.”

Most of the citizens, City Council members and Troutdale movers and shakers gathered to watch the arch assemblage on a warm, dry morning, concurred with Caswell’s pronouncement.

Max Maydew, a key arch fundraising coordinator, beamed with excitement as he gazed up at the 22-feet high arch. Its top letters boldly proclaim “TROUTDALE” with “Gateway to the Gorge” just below.

“I couldn’t be more pleased,” he said, noting how the span fulfills Caswell’s vision of framing downtown and Broughton Bluff above the Sandy River. “It’s just a beautiful piece of arch work.”

Along with his wife, Cheryl, a board member of the Troutdale Historical Society, Maydew developed the north side of the downtown business district in the late 1990s. The historical society raised more than $100,000 in private donations to build the arch, originally planned to mark the city’s centennial celebration in fall 2007.

After a promising start, an economic downturn slowed donations to a trickle. With a colorful balloon arch standing in during the 100-year bash, the City Council considered – and ultimately adopted – a plan to fund the remaining $258,000 from city parks funds.

“It was a struggle,” Maydew recalled. “We raised as much money as we could, well over $100,000. City Council had to put it over the top.”

Former Councilor Dave Ripma, who co-chaired the City Centennial Committee with Councilor Doug Daoust, took time off work in Camas, Wash., to witness the historic arch raising. The project, he admits, tested his patience at times.

“There were a lot of ups and downs,” he said, noting the historical society is still accepting donations. “But I did think this day would come. I’m an optimist.”

Proudly noting how a blast of morning sun gleamed across one of Caswell’s bronze trout, Daoust admitted no guilt from skipping work to watch the arch come alive.

“I’m playing hooky,” he said as applause, cheers and piercing whistles greeted the final piece being placed. “This is too exciting to be at work in downtown Troutdale.”

PHOTO BY JIM CLARK Members of the Troutdale Historical Society celebrate a historic moment Tuesday morning following the raising of the new Troutdale Centennial Arch. Sheryl Maydew, David Ripma and Terry Huston have their photo taken by fellow society member Paula Goldie.

The giddy atmosphere spread to the work crew, including Drew Park, president and chief executive officer of Portland’s Columbia Wire & Iron Works, and Mike McCulloch, the architect who helped Caswell realize his vision.

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