Agency plans public outreach, grants and a FURA booth to introduce Blue Heron Park acquisition

Board members and staff used executive director comments on March 16 to preview outreach and programming tied to recently negotiated property acquisitions. The agency plans to staff a FURA booth at the city’s April economic development fair (April 16) to present the Blue Heron Park acquisition and gather resident input on desired uses.

Staff proposed a simple survey at the booth, bilingual postcards delivered with water bills for broad public notice, Spanish- and English-language materials at the school district, and coordinated messaging across city channels and social media. The board discussed focusing the public announcement primarily on Blue Heron Park, with additional property announcements to follow as negotiations conclude.

In the same update, staff said FURAC is revising its grant program with two tracks under development: facade/front-of-building improvement grants for businesses and a proposed public parks grant. Staff will provide a word-document draft to the FURAC board for line-by-line review and return it at a subsequent meeting for final action.

Staff also reported a recent meeting with a Pacific Power representative to explore relocating downtown electrical wiring; undergrounding was described as unlikely, but relocation alternatives and initial cost ideas are expected from the utility in the coming weeks. Jonathan Quick and Will Volpert were cited as local contacts who may help with utility coordination.

No formal vote was taken on outreach or the grant drafts; staff will return with final grant language, outreach materials and any updates on utility proposals or property negotiations.