Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (July 3, 2018)
4A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2018 Hole: Volunteers wrapped fence with banners, hiding it all from view Estes said staff will still be engaged with Heritage Square. But, without a fully staffed community develop- ment department, he added, there is “not a whole lot more bandwidth to add other projects.” At the end of June, as they have done in summers past, volunteers wrapped the chain-link fence that sur- rounds the hole with banners, hiding it all from view during the busiest tourist season. Continued from Page 1A The Garden of Surging Waves went up to the west of the hole four years ago, on the corner of Duane and 11th. The tall, blue Ameri- can Legion building stands to the south. The Astoria Sunday Market erects booths in the parking lot to the east from May to October. In July 2015, city leaders and staff were optimistic that the hole would be dealt with soon. But plans to build a new library with housing at Heri- tage Square went nowhere. Major cleanup work to deal with contaminated soil in and around the hole is more or less complete. But — with an understaffed community development department, other big city projects on the horizon and no immediate plans for what exactly could be developed around the site — the hole remains. In early June, the City Council asked staff to push forward on finishing the Riv- erfront Vision Plan, which guides development along the Columbia River, specifi- Problem isn’t unique Colin Murphey/The Daily Astorian Tunnels under the streets of Astoria are adjacent to the open pit which collapsed in December 2010. cally the Urban Core section between Second Street and 16th Street. City Councilor Tom Brownson asked how focus- ing on this project would take away from other goals. “Let’s say, Heritage Square,” he said. The hole is and is not unique. Rosemary Johnson, a for- mer city planner, can point to several other troubled areas or buildings around Astoria that sat for years. Mill Pond, for example: A once-polluted site on the east end of the city that is now an upscale hous- ing development. It took the city 10 years to get from the decision to clean it up and begin preparing for develop- ment to the point where it was ready for development, John- son said. But with the hole, there are some differences. “Any time you have con- tamination or you have a large site that the public is aware of then there’s issues with it,” Johnson said. “It’s more dif- ficult because it’s in your eye every day.” But, she added, “The prob- lems aren’t unique. The prob- lems are the same: Cleanup money, finding the right development for the site.” Johnson was involved with the hole’s neighbor, the Garden of Surging Waves. She credits massive efforts from the Chinese commu- nity and people in Portland and Salem who contributed large amounts of money with bringing the cultural project to fruition. The Garden of Surging Waves was a huge accom- plishment, Johnson said. When city staffing, plans and money are in place, she believes the rest of Heritage Square will follow suit. “When you have a full staff, everybody’s up to speed,” Johnson said. “Then you can take on bigger proj- ects and you can move faster.” Historic Downtown Astoria SIDEWALK SALE Estate Jewelry, Diamonds, Art & Antiques A Value Seeker’s Paradise Top Prices for Gold & Silver Downtown Astoria on 12th St. 503-325-7600 • Wed-Sun Store Closing SALE! INTERIOR Style SUPER SAVINGS July 5, 6, 7 & 8 s in store m e t i t c le Se off 50% 25 % off ! Visit us for more Great Deals! Homespun Quilts & Yarn 108 10th ST. – Astoria, OR (503) 325-3300 Open July 6-7 10am-5pm www.homespunquilts.com 60 % off Selected fabric, yarn, books, patterns and notions 25 % “Old School Videos” alive and well in Astoria BARGAIN TABLE 3 DVD’S/VIDEO GAMES Locally owned and operated for over 30 years! 750 Astor St. • Astoria • 503-325-7310 Like us on Facebook for new release updates and daily specials! Thursday THRU Sunday • July 5 th TO 8 th 503-325-2996 1380 Commercial Street, Astoria www.rustydahlia.com mary@rustydahlia.com 1062 Marine Drive, Astoria, OR 97103 T 50 C to All Sidewalk Merchandise & Home Furnishings 1033 COMMERCIAL ST. • 503-325-5620 Get in on our Summer Raffle JULY 5 th THRU 8 th 503.325.2961 Bring in an UGLY TIE for a chance to win a BBQ package 1089 MARINE DRIVE ASTORIA, OREGON We also have several ways to enter our Patio Heater raffle! HOURS: MON-SAT 10-6 SUNDAY 12-5 WWW.BIKESANDBEYOND.COM 959 Commercial St, Astoria, OR • 503-325-4388 503.741.3434 off Since 1988, the leadeo in bicycle sales, seovice & oentals on the Nooth Coast. Huge Sidewalk Sale 50%-75% Off! • Open at 10am $ 1173 Commercial St · Astoria, OR 97103 503-338-4800 SERVICE • SALES • RENTALS & COLLECTIBLES Ev that’s no erything n-food or drink 503.325.4766 • 9th & Astor • Astoria 11-5 • 12-4 Sundays • Closed Tues & Weds E V ER E! Y BIKE ON SAL Antiques l a D e s O n l y Everything must go! SUMMER CLEARANCE SALE COMMERCIAL STREET 239 14th St. • Astoria • 503-325-3972 Like us on Facebook tchomefurnishing.com OPEN 7 days a week
