Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County brownfield assessment proposal aims to help revitalize downtown Warrenton
Summary
Sarah Lou Yi of the Columbia Pacific Economic Development District presented an EPA-funded brownfield assessment opportunity to help create a downtown revitalization plan (visioning, zoning analysis, transportation mapping, funding matrix); commissioners supported starting the work and noted it should align with the city's upcoming master plan.
Sarah Lou Yi (executive director, Columbia Pacific Economic Development District) told the commission the county has EPA brownfield assessment funds and the county contracted Stantec Inc. to provide assessment and redevelopment services; those professional services would be provided via the county and funded through the grant.
"This is a grant to the county," Sarah Lou Yi said, explaining the county engages consulting services that are paid through EPA funding and the county but that the city receives the consulting deliverables rather than direct grant money. The proposed program would conduct visioning and priority-setting, a zoning analysis, transportation and pedestrian/bicycle assessments, a funding-sources matrix, and a final report with maps and appendices documenting public feedback.
Commissioners and community members stressed the importance of integrating any downtown revitalization plan with the city's broader master and strategic planning process next year. Commissioner comments were supportive but urged caution to avoid duplicating future master planning work; staff agreed to coordinate the brownfield assessment scope and the city's upcoming strategic planning process. The commission expressed support for moving forward with the grant-funded planning work.
