Titled “Autzen Stadium – North Side Exiting and Accessibility Improvements”, the stadium’s existing pedestrian ramps will be removed and the berm will be reshaped to provide pathways that are universally accessible.
With the elevation change from street level to the concourse, the project will create walkways, stairs and terraces, along with seating walls within the landscapes. In addition, broad stairways would be placed at multiple locations that will improve foot traffic.
Apart from the circulation improvements, the entire north side will incorporate enhanced landscapes and spectator amenities, providing a new look on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. Most of the plant material used for the project includes large conifer trees, ferns, Oregon grape, vine maples and native groundcovers.
Spectator gathering and resting places along the pathways will be incorporated into these landscapes. These waysides will include seating and drinking fountains while offering panoramic views of the Autzen complex, the Willamette Valley and the surrounding foothills of both the Cascade and Coastal mountain ranges.
In addition to native landscapes, many sustainable elements will be incorporated into the project such as recycled materials, storm water treatment landscapes, drip irrigation and energy-efficient lighting.
This project is in response to the needs outlined in a spring 2012 independent consultant report. The improvements are funded by a private donation.
