Over the weekend, the Columbia River Crossing -- a decade-long, multi-billion-dollar project -- came crumbling down. This time, it seems, the death is for good.

Beyond the regional transportation and economic reverberations that are sure to come from the collapse, there's now an open question of what to do with another controversial development project: Hayden Island.



During his State of the City Address in April, Portland Mayor Charlie Hales sidestepped a question about Hayden Island and its future development.



"We should wait and determine what we want to do about West Hayden Island only after we finally know if the Columbia River Crossing is going to be built or not," Hales said the audience. Once that was figured out, he would start addressing "the future of West Hayden Island and its role in the region, its role in economic development, and its role as both a natural place and part of a neighborhood."



According to his spokesman, Dana Haynes, it won't be long before Hales starts to do just that.



"We think it's really dead this time," Haynes said. "The mayor wants to get moving really quickly."



But first things first.



Before the mayor and council start debating the proposed marine terminal and other development, the Portland Planning and Sustainability Commission has to vote next week on a $300 million development plan.



That plan itself has been months in the making and negotiates several varied interests. Wrapped up in the plan is acreage allotted for the terminal, public space, improved or reestablished forests plus other recommendations that touch on economics, recreation, environment, transportation and other community benefits.



And this, it seems, is just the beginning



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Reading:



The Oregonian: Some question whether week suspension for Charlie Hales' adviser is adequate



Willamette Week: CRC foes says Gregoire's retirement doomed project



The Oregonian: One Hayden Island monstrosity down, one to go



-- Ryan Kost