Lincoln City Connect
Visit the Lincoln City Connect page more information and live updates regarding the construction and opening of the Lincoln City Welcome Center at D River Wayside.
Lincoln City Welcome Center
Explore Lincoln City is proposing a new Welcome Center and restroom facility located at D River Wayside.
Project Scope
As it is today, the D River Wayside does not make a high-quality statement about Lincoln City. With aging facilities, inefficient configuration, and upkeep issues, the experience for guests and residents could be drastically improved.
Explore Lincoln City is proposing a complete overhaul of the site including a new Welcome Center, restroom facilities, reconfigured parking, and other amenities.
Final Concept
In partnership with Bearing Architecture, the initial conceptual phase has been completed, which includes initial renderings, a rough floor plan, and landscaping ideas.
Project Goals
The goal of this project is not just the installation of a Welcome Center. Rather, there are many reasons to improve the experience at D River Wayside, which include the following:
Community Benefit
- Only high-capacity, full-service, accessible, oceanfront park in Lincoln City
- Guests use it year-round, especially during the summer
- Residents are more likely to access mid-week and throughout the shoulder and off-seasons
Positive First Impressions
- Primary window to the ocean directly from Hwy 101
- Drastically improve the existing look and feel to better reflect Lincoln City
- Capture pass-through guests for return visitation inspiration
Enhance Destination Experience
- Improve/add on-site amenities in addition to the look and feel
Enhance Access
- Improve beach and ocean access
- Reconfigure parking
- More spaces, better flow, RV spaces
- ADA compliance/improvements
- Parking, ramps, pathways, Mobi-mats, beach wheelchairs
- The interior space will include a Hearing Loop, KultureCity sensory supports, and the loan of EnChroma glasses for color blindness
- Parking, ramps, pathways, Mobi-mats, beach wheelchairs
Tell the Lincoln City Story
- Reinforce Lincoln City brand
- Highlight experiences and attractions
Education
- Safety
- Stewardship
- Local history
- Cultural significance and preservation
Promote Local Business and Drive Economic Impact
- On-demand information concierge
- Virtual/digital resources
- Collateral (guides, brochures, maps, etc.)
Maintain Land and Water Conservation
- Site emphasis on outdoor recreation
Community Presence
- Visible identity for Explore Lincoln City to interact with visitors and residents alike
Funding
The improvements at the D River State Recreation Site will be funded through $2.5 million in State Lottery Bonds with the balance coming from local Transient Room Tax. These are paid by visitors for overnight stays.
Explore Lincoln City Budget Includes:
- $500K for Welcome Center Architectural Drawings and Engineering
- $4.615M for Welcome Center Construction
- $25K for Operational Expenses (including building and grounds site maintenance)
Construction Contract
- Not-to-exceed cost — $6,745,000 + Contingency of $410,000
Funding
- State Lottery Bonds — $2,500,000
- Transient Room Tax (TLT) — $4,245,000 + Contingency
Stakeholder Input Session
Stakeholder Input Session Presentation - Explore Lincoln City Welcome Center at the D River State Recreation Area.
Stakeholder Input Results - Explore Lincoln City Welcome Center at the D River State Recreation Area
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