A New Path to Nature

Restoring Habitat and Public Access at a Derelict Powerhouse in Gold Hill, Oregon

Project Summary

restore important wetland habitat to create a public
amenity bringing residents and visitors closer to nature.

Community: Gold Hill, Oregon

Technical Assistance: Site Reuse Design

Former Use: Ideal Cement Plant Powerhouse

Future Use: Habitat Improvements, Trails, and
Viewing Platform

The former Ideal Cement Power Plant was once a
major employer in Gold Hill, Oregon, but ceased
operations in 1969 and has been vacant ever since.
The power plant left behind a derelict powerhouse,
sluice gates, fish ladders, and other structures used to
divert the river. The parcel has tremendous potential for
public use due to its immediate proximity to the scenic
Rogue River and the 50-acre Gold Hill Regional City
Park. However due to safety hazards, this area has not
been legally accessible since closure of the facility.

Photograph of the inside of the powerhouse

The Community's Challenge

Today, there is evidence of frequent trespassing, illicit
activities, and trash dumping at the former powerhouse
building, posing a health, safety, and liability concern.
Left over structures remain a public safety hazard.
Redevelopment options are limited by the site's location
on wetland soils and the 100-year floodplain. The
community is having a difficult time trying to figure out
how to go about removing these structures and
returning the area to a publicly accessible amenity. With
rich Native American history and scenic nature, the site
offers the opportunity to improve public access and

EPA's Land Revitalization Technical Assistance

In 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) Land Revitalization Program provided contractor
technical assistance to prepare a conceptual reuse plan
for the power plant building and fish ladder. The team
held meetings with the City of Gold Hill, conducted a
site visit in the summer of 2022, and led a stakeholder
engagement meeting to assess the feasibility of the
building removal and develop design alternatives for the
site.

Site reuse design provided several levels of intervention
for different areas of the site to address existing derelict
structures and potential removal, reuse, or burial.
Further options for habitat improvements, public
access, and educational opportunities were included
throughout the site, including planting native species,
creating viewing platforms, and installing interpretive
signage for native species and Native American history.

Rendering of a New Path and Viewing Platform at the Fish
Screen

For more information, contact Margaret Olson, EPA
Region 10 Brownfields Program, at

Olson.Maraaret@epa.gov.

United States
Environmental Protection
kl M * Agency

Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization
560-F-23-342

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