The main attraction is a mile-long riverwalk that will lead to 150,000 sf of shops and restaurants along the east bank of the Deschutes River. Other attractions include the new 10-screen Regal multiplex cinema, now in operation, and an outdoor amphitheater capable of accommodating up to 4,000 patrons, to be constructed on the other side of the river and linked to the retail center and Riverwalk by a pedestrian bridge.

River Bend Limited Partnership contributed 16 acres for the retail project, which it is developing with Price Enterprises, a Maryland-based mall REIT that is 91.3% owned by San Diego-based Excel Legacy Corp. Excel is a publicly traded real estate company that describes its mission as "to pursue signature projects that have the potential to generate above-average profits because of their unique locations, concepts and entry barriers."

Bill Smith, managing partner of River Bend, says Price Enterprises will bear the major responsibility to finish the first phase of the retail center, currently under construction and scheduled for opening in May 2001. The two have formed a new company, Old Mill District Shops LLC, to develop and manage the retail/entertainment area, to be known as "The Shops at the Old Mill District."