C2 • GRITTY to PRETTY: ASTORIA’S TRANSFORMATIVE DECADE 2010-2019
DECEMBER 31, 2019
A CHANGING CITY
Astoria is changing. You can see it
address its burgeoning homeless
in repurposed buildings, new shops and
population and affordable housing
restaurants and in cultural events across
crisis. Of the 70 readers who responded
BY JONATHAN WILLIAMS
town.
to our call for what the biggest issues
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
But this isn’t a secret to Astorians.
are in Astoria going into 2020, over 20
THE ASTORIAN
Discussions of the city’s changing face
each said homelessness and affordable
have been going on since before the start
housing.
of this decade and will continue as projects
As a lifelong Astorian, I’ve seen
come into fruition.
our town change dramatically. It’s
Some might say Astoria is having an identity crisis. Others would
become a place where more young, creative people are moving. But
disagree.
its distinctly coastal, hardworking spirit and community-oriented
The Astorian chose to produce this project so anyone interested
ethos are still here.
in Astoria’s past and future can see how much has changed. We are in
If someone who hadn’t been to Astoria since before 2010 came
the middle of a renaissance that continues to march on. Though not
to town, would they notice changes? We think so. There are no car
all things get fixed right away — the hole in Heritage Square has been
dealerships in town, and marijuana dispensaries and breweries are
there since 2010. The town is the nexus for where gritty meets pretty,
now part of Astoria’s identity.
as former City Manager Paul Benoit once said.
But some of the same cultural events, like the Scandinavian
Astorians care deeply about their community. Many worry that
Midsummer Festival, FisherPoets Gathering, Astoria Regatta and
Astoria will lose its blue-collar identity and hard-working spirit.
community music groups, continue to be a part of Astoria’s cultural
Locals who have lived here long enough know of the dedicated
fabric.
volunteers and community leaders who will speak out against serious
What the city’s future looks like is up to anyone who cares
changes. But a new, younger generation also must be part of those
enough about it to get involved. It’s been a fast transformation, leaving
discussions.
some wondering where the city is going. We hope this project shows
There is no denying the question of what Astoria will do to
you where we’ve been and where we could be going.
GRITTY to
PRETTY
ASTORIA’S
TRANSFORMATIVE
DECADE 2010-2019
Project editor:
Jonathan Williams
Photos:
Hailey Hoffman
Colin Murphey
Danny Miller
Joshua Bessex
Alex Pajunas
Edward Stratton
R.J. Marx
Design:
John D. Bruijn
COLUMBIA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
CMH
• Erik Thorsen named hospital CEO, 2010
• Hospital expands to Warrenton, 2013
• CMH-OHSU Knight Cancer Collaborative opens, 2017
CLATSOP COMMUNITY COLLEGE
CCC
• Columbia Hall
opens, 2010
• Towler Hall
remodel finishes, 2010
• Larry Galizio selected
college president;
Greg Hamann leaves
for Linn-Benton
Community College,
2010
• Galizio leaves Clatsop,
2015
• Chris Breitmeyer named
college president, 2016
• Patriot Hall grand
reopening with indoor
track, 2017
Columbia Memorial Hospital and Clatsop Community College have both seen significant expansions on their campuses over this decade. The hospital now has the CMH-OHSU Knight
Cancer Collaborative center at the former site of John Warren stadium. The college added Columbia Hall in 2010, as well as a complete renovation of Towler Hall in 2010 and the completion
of a new gym and indoor track in Patriot Hall in 2017.
CHART YOUR COURSE!
CCC is your local resource for transfer degrees, job
training, GED® classes, and community education.
www.clatsopcc.edu
Clatsop Community College is an affirmative action, equal opportunity
institution. ADA accessible. For the complete Non-Discrimination and
Accomodations statements, please visit https://www.clatsopcc.edu/ada.
Let us know how we can serve you. Call our Welcome Center
at (503) 338-2411 or email admissions@clatsopcc.edu
Clatsop Community College es una institución de igualdad de
oportunidades y de discriminación positiva. Para las declaraciones
completas de No-discriminacion y de Ayuda a las personas discapacitadas,
por favor visite https://www.clatsopcc.edu/ada.