Astoria Nordic Heritage Park Project Moves Forward
The Astoria Scandinavian Heritage Association’s plans to build Astoria Nordic Heritage Park in Astoria’s Downtown Historic District on the Columbia River waterfront are progressing despite the challenges of pandemic times. The Oregon Cultural Trust recently awarded ASHA an organizational development grant of $2,000 to hire a consultant to coach the non-profit on fundraising during difficult times.
ASHA has selected Rickenbach Construction, Inc. (RCI) of Astoria as the general contractor for the Astoria Nordic Heritage Park project. During a publicly-announced RFP process, Rickenbach Construction received the highest rating from all members of the scoring and interview committee and the decision to hire was unanimous. RCI is locally owned and owner-operated and has a personal interest in the project through their shared heritage. Co-owners Jared Rickenbach and Michelle Rickenbach Dieffenbach are of Swedish descent and project supervisor Greg Allen is of Finnish descent. Both Jared and Greg performed with Astoria’s Nordic Viking Dancers as a youth. Jared Rickenbach said: “This project is an exciting addition to the local architectural and historic fabric of our community. As a family with Nordic ancestry, it is wonderful to see the community celebrate that history.”
Rickenbach Construction, Inc. will be working with the West Studio of Seattle, landscape architects for the park, and with Hererra Engineering of Sherwood. Construction will start when fundraising is complete, ideally in the spring of 2021. Over $800,000 has been amassed for the park effort with 73% coming from private donations. Contributions for construction costs are still being collected. More information on Astoria Nordic Heritage Park is available at www.AstoriaNordicPark.org or people may contact park committee chair Judi Lampi at clatsop41@yahoo.com or by calling 503-791-9156.
