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THE ASTORIAN • SATuRdAy, OcTObER 23, 2021
OPINION
editor@dailyastorian.com
KARI BORGEN
Publisher
DERRICK DePLEDGE
Editor
Founded in 1873
SHANNON ARLINT
circulation Manager
JOHN D. BRUIJN
Production Manager
CARL EARL
Systems Manager
OUR VIEW
The right call at Heritage Square
T
he pit at Heritage Square
has long been a symbol of
the lack of urgency in Asto-
ria redevelopment.
Few thought when the founda-
tion of the old Safeway collapsed
after heavy rains in 2010 that the
hole would sit empty more than a
decade later.
We believe the City Council —
acting as the Astoria Development
Commission — made the right call
this month by declaring that the
space should be used for workforce
housing.
In a signal of intent, the City
Council followed the announce-
ment by holding a special meet-
ing to launch the development code
and comprehensive plan amend-
ments necessary to redevelop Heri-
tage Square.
Any code and comprehensive
plan changes should be carefully
vetted. Potential financial incen-
tives to attract private developers
should also be thoughtfully bal-
anced with the objectives of the
project and the number of new
housing units.
But we should recognize this
moment as a chance to finally
make some progress on an eyesore
downtown.
Housing is the most press-
ing public-policy issue in Clatsop
County. The lack of rental hous-
ing, in particular, makes it harder
to hire and retain workers. As our
region becomes a more attractive
tourist destination and a popular
place for retirees and transplants to
live, the cost of housing will likely
increase and the gap between what
many workers earn and what they
can afford to pay in rent will con-
tinue to grow.
We believe our county and city
leaders should be more aggres-
sive about luring a range of new
businesses — small manufactur-
ing, data centers, health care and
research — so we are not overly
reliant on tourism. But we can’t
compete without better housing
stock.
Lydia Ely/The Astorian
Moss covers the walls of the pit at Heritage Square.
We also won’t likely reduce our
homeless population without more
lower-cost rentals that can serve
as the next steps out of transitional
housing.
A countywide housing study in
2019 found that there is a sufficient
supply of land and housing units.
The problem is that too much of
the supply is soaked up by the sec-
ond home and vacation rental mar-
kets. The study recommended more
housing opportunities at afford-
able price points, more multifamily
rental housing and more townho-
mes, cottage clusters and medi-
um-density housing intended for
first-time homebuyers.
Developers have stepped for-
ward with housing projects in War-
renton and Seaside that could
help meet local demand. In Asto-
ria, projects in Uniontown and
Uppertown have some promise.
While we all want to protect
what makes Astoria unique, there
are too many vacant or underused
properties downtown. There are too
many workers struggling to afford
a place to live.
We think the City Council has
been too cautious and has often
allowed land use debates to get
hopelessly mired in code-speak.
The declaration about workforce
housing at Heritage Square is
refreshing.
Ideally, the project could involve
open space such as a public plaza
or amphitheater that would comple-
ment the Garden of Surging Waves.
The city had envisioned open space
for the block, so preserving some
element in the design could be a
selling point that might win over
skeptics. The American Legion
should also be part of the conversa-
tion and share long-term plans for
Clatsop Post 12.
We are certain there is a way to
adjust the footprint of the Asto-
ria Sunday Market, which uses the
parking lot off of 12th and Duane
streets at Heritage Square during
the season. And despite public per-
ception, a parking study released in
2020 found there is adequate park-
ing downtown.
John Southgate, the city’s rede-
velopment consultant, said in a
September memo that he met with
community stakeholders and devel-
opers about Heritage Square and
is confident the city would receive
interest from developers who
understand the expectations.
“It is obvious that Astorians care
deeply about their city, their down-
town, and how important it is for
the city to find a development part-
ner who will respect community
perspectives on the redevelopment
of the Heritage Square site,” he
wrote.
Let’s give one a chance.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Smile
o you remember the old song “Pack
Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit
Bag (and Smile, Smile, Smile)”?
You may not feel like smiling in these
trying times, but try it. Just the act of smil-
ing changes your attitude, and others who
see your smile change theirs.
If your mask is on, smile with a twinkle
in your eyes.
If ever there was a time that we needed
to lift each others’ spirits, it is now. So let’s
smile!
JIM BERNARD
Warrenton
D
An investment
he saying goes that “a rising tide lifts
all boats.” In our small community,
this sentiment rings true. Whether directly
or indirectly, investing resources into the
community builds an infrastructure that
benefits all of us.
Strong public schools are an integral
part of that framework. This fall, there is
a bond for the Knappa School District on
the ballot. If passed, the funds will address
critical maintenance and infrastructure
needs, enhance learning spaces for stu-
dents and improve the safety and security
at both schools.
The proposal is accountable. There
was a community advisory committee that
gave input on the schools’ needs, the dis-
trict polled the community to elicit their
opinions, and there will be a community
oversight committee once passed. The
school will also budget annual mainte-
nance funds to keep up the improvements
over their lifespan.
The average tax rate for this bond will
be slightly less than the average rate of
the bond that recently expired. Items that
would be provided include new middle
T
school classrooms, a science lab, roofing,
fire sprinklers, a gym that can be used by
both schools and the public and a dedi-
cated preschool area, among other things.
I grew up in Knappa, and attended
Knappa schools before heading to college
at Oregon State University. I moved back
after graduating because this is home. I
want to see it grow, and the people thrive.
This is an opportunity to make an
investment in our kids and our community
for years to come. For more information,
please visit yesknappa.org
BRIAN MONTGOMERY
Astoria
Make fiduciary sense
agree that the Cannon Beach Rural
Fire Protection District needs addi-
tional resources to maintain operations,
and I believe the City Hall needs to be safe
and functional, and the police department
needs to be optimized.
One resource that has not been dis-
cussed is the excess transient lodging tax
dollars collected by local lodging prop-
erties for the city over what is budgeted.
This past year, the city collected $5.5 mil-
lion, but the budget was $3.3 million.
Many would lead us to believe that
70% of the excess money is legally
required to go toward tourism or tour-
ism-related functions or events. The truth
is most of these excess dollars go directly
to the city’s general fund.
The question: Where does the excess
money go, and why can’t these dollars be
leveraged toward the development of a
new City Hall?
It would make fiduciary sense that these
excess dollars be utilized before creating
another sales tax. Please vote “no” sales
tax on meals.
PATRICK NOFIELD
Cannon Beach
I