We’re excited to be featured in a recent Portland Monthly article about the future of Tom McCall Waterfront Park and Portland’s relationship to the riverfront.
The article highlights our Central City Waterfront Urban Design Study which explores ways the waterfront district can evolve into a more active, inclusive and connected part of our city. Mayer/Reed Principal Shannon Simms, who led the study, continues to be a driving force for change, facilitating workshops with the local design community, city officials and interested citizens. Read the full article in Portland Monthly.
Mayer/Reed Principal Shannon Simms, ASLA, has been named a 2025 Women of Vision Honoree by the Oregon Daily Journal of Commerce (DJC). Each year, the DJC recognizes an esteemed roster of women who are shaping the built environment in Oregon and Southwest Washington with their leadership, mentorship, technical skill and community involvement.
“This award is a reflection of the incredible teams and communities I’ve had the privilege to work with,” says Shannon. “I’m honored to be recognized alongside others who are dedicated to designing spaces that foster connection, sustainability and a sense of belonging.”
As co-leader of Mayer/Reed’s urban design and landscape architecture disciplines, Shannon is known for her big-picture thinking and ability to bring clarity to complexity. She is a respected voice in public space design, inspiring clients, students and colleagues to view streets as vital landscapes that support a healthy, connected urban life. Her talent lies in reframing challenges and reimagining possibilities. Clients and design partners value her extraordinary ability to help them see their projects in a new light and her knowledge of the technical requirements necessary to bring these ambitious ideas to life.
Shannon’s work is guided by a deep commitment to community. Whether through leadership in professional organizations or volunteering locally, she brings people together with creativity, passion and purpose. Recently, she helped organize and facilitate Streets of Possibility II: Downtown to the River—a workshop that brought nearly 40 urban designers and civic leaders together to reimagine downtown Portland’s connections to the Willamette riverfront. Her efforts are changing the conversation about how our city reaches the long-term goal of transforming Portland’s urban core into a series of livable neighborhoods.
As a mentor and advocate, Shannon supports emerging designers within Mayer/Reed, across the profession and in academic programs. She uplifts colleagues, making time to mentor and creating space for quiet voices—especially supporting women navigating careers in the built environment. Outside of work, Shannon finds joy in giving back and fostering meaningful connections throughout the region. She has volunteered with the Portland Parks Foundation Paseo, Portland Winter Light Festival, Cycle Oregon Gravel Ride and Friends of Trees.
At the DJC’s Women of Vision celebration on October 23, Shannon shared the stage with an inspiring cohort. While the evening recognized individual achievements, it also served as a reminder of the collective progress happening across our industry and an inspiration for the next generation of leaders, many of whom were in the room that night—watching, learning and envisioning what comes next.
I’ve been climbing Mt. St. Helens since 1998, and each summit of the raw terrain is its own unique adventure. As I completed my fifth climb of the 2025 season, I reflected on the role the mountain plays in my life.
Loowit, as nearby Indigenous people call it, means “smoking mountain,” and on May 18, 1980, this moniker became a reality. The eruption blew 1,300 feet off its peak and triggered the largest landslide in recorded history. Forests were leveled, ash traveled hundreds of miles, and dozens of lives were lost. Today, the mountain continues to remind us of resilience, transformation and respect for nature’s power.
As a principal landscape architect at Mayer/Reed, I am fortunate to connect my personal love for the outdoors with my professional work. In 2018, we worked on a master planning team with Hennebery Eddy Architects for Mt. St. Helens Institute (MSHI), a nonprofit dedicated to connecting people of all ages to the volcano through education and exploration. The site, set directly in line with the 1980 eruption, called for a careful balance of ecological protection and human activity. We explored what a future campus could look like with cabins, campgrounds, staff and student housing and a welcome center, all designed with respect for the landscape, environmental resilience and flexibility, connection to the local ecology and community and universal access. In other words, a place to bring people closer to nature and each other.
This year, my passion for Mt. St. Helens found a new avenue. After weeks of online courses, CPR and first aid certification and field training, I officially joined the MSHI volunteer ranks as a Climbing Steward. My bright red uniform signals to hikers that I’m here to help, whether it’s offering water or snacks, giving advice on the route, providing emergency support or simply being a source of encouragement. In a time of federal cutbacks and limited U.S. Forest Service resources and staff, volunteer trail support is more crucial than ever.
One of my favorite moments as Climbing Steward this summer was meeting David and his daughter, Neah. Decades ago, David testified before Congress in support of making Mt. St. Helens a National Monument, and here he was at 72, climbing with that same spirit. A nod to his past climbs, Neah carried his well-worn Kelty pack from the ’70s. On the way down, I guided them through the boulder fields and hiked with them to the trailhead. Their gratitude was unforgettable. It struck me that stewardship isn’t just about safety—it’s about connection.
Mayer/Reed has a tradition of hiking Mt. St. Helens together, as far back as 2001 and as recent as this year. These group treks and my personal climbs remind me that our work doesn’t end at the office. When passion meets profession, it becomes more than a job. It becomes a way of life.
At the upcoming Urban Design Panel on September 16, Mayer/Reed and the City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) will present a Central City Urban Design Study on our waterfront. Mayer/Reed Associate Principal Shannon Simms will share results from the analysis phase, helping to identify opportunities for urban design interventions. This virtual event is free but requires advance registration.
Tuesday, September 16, 2025 12pm – 1pm PST Register here
Downtown to the Waterfront: Rethinking Portland’s Urban Core as a Riverside Neighborhood
On September 23, PDX Design Collaborative hosts “Downtown to the Waterfront,” part of a series of events focused on transforming downtown Portland into a livable neighborhood. Representatives from Portland Parks and PBOT, leading urban designers and community organizers will discuss how Waterfront Park — and the connections to it — can play a major role in the future of downtown. Mayer/Reed Associate Principal Shannon Simms will share takeaways from the recent City of Possibility design workshop in June. This in-person event is sure to sell out, so secure your spot early!
Tuesday, September 23, 2025 6pm – 7:30pm JK Gill Building (426 SW Harvey Milk St, Portland, OR 97204) Purchase tickets here
Mill Park Opening Celebration
Join us, Portland Parks & Recreation and the Southeast Portland Mill Park community for a grand opening event on September 25. There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony, remarks from city officials and a host of family-friendly activities to celebrate the newly completed park. Explore the Mayer/Reed-designed playground, splash pad, community garden, fitness area and more! This community event is free and open to the public.
Thursday, September 25, 2025 3pm – 6pm Mill Park (1949 SE 122nd Ave, Portland, OR 97216)
