The Columbia Press
September 25, 2020
3
Business and Development tidbits
Highway 101 bus stop could be a grand setting for riders
Sunset Empire Transporta-
tion District has applied for
funding to improve the bus
stop at Warrenton’s busiest
intersection.
Oregon Department of
Transportation
and
the
Northwest Oregon Transit
Alliance, of which SETD is a
member, recently complet-
ed a study on areas where
people might have problems
accessing public transporta-
tion.
The bus stop on Highway
101 near Ensign (in front of
Taco Bell) falls into that cat-
egory. Today it is a single
bench with a sign and no oth-
er amenities.
Its inclusion in the state
transportation improvement
funding plan would mean
construction of a bus pull-
out, a large shelter, better
signs, lighting, a trash recep-
tacle, bike racks and, possi-
bly, a bike repair station.
“There’s a whole lot that
goes on in planning a transit
stop,” district Executive Di-
rector Jeff Hazen told War-
renton city commissioners
wildfires.
Three horses from Can-
by sought refuge at the fair-
grounds.
New gateway standards
Tuesday night. “I am excit-
ed about getting a real stop
there. I think it will benefit
everybody.”
Last year, the district be-
gan making improvements
and expanded several routes
thanks to new transit taxes
paid by the state’s workers.
“Ridership shot through
the roof,” he said. The pan-
demic brought it back down,
yet routes in Warrenton
and Hammond have stayed
strong.
Big red barn
The dairy barn at Clatsop
County Fairgrounds has been
painted rustic barn red with
white trim.
The barn and other parts
of the fairgrounds went into
service last week as those in
other areas of the state sought
refuge for their livestock
from the choking smoke of
Community event planned for Halloween
The Columbia Press
With so many events can-
celled this year – and some
communities banning door-
to-door trick-or-treating –
Warrenton’s children will
have a fun activity on Hallow-
een.
On Tuesday night, city com-
missioners approved an appli-
cation from Spruce Up War-
renton to have a Halloween
Trunk or Treat event at Rob-
inson Community Park.
“We’re going to play it pret-
ty safe,” said Jeanne Smith,
event organizer.
There will be no congregat-
ing, those handing out treats
must wear gloves and masks,
and each stop on the trick-or-
treating path around the park
will be distanced from the
others.
The free event is set for 1 to 3
p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at the
park, which is on Alder Ave-
nue behind City Hall.
Warrenton businesses will
decorate their vehicles and
park in designated spots
around the park. Children will
make their way in the same
direction from trunk to trunk
collecting candy and other
items.
“We’re not asking for money,
this is totally donations from
businesses,” Smith told com-
missioners, who unanimously
approved the application.
At the city’s request, Spruce
Up members contacted Clat-
sop County Public Health for
advice on ways to prevent the
spread of COVID-19 and the
city will look into providing
hand-washing stations at the
entry and exit of the trick-or-
treating route, City Manager
Linda Engbretson said.
Warrenton city commis-
sioners gave final approval
this week to a plan that limits
the design and placement of
ministorage units in the city.
The Commercial Corridor
Design Standards prohibit
new ministorage warehous-
es on South Main Avenue in
downtown Warrenton and on
Pacific Drive through down-
town Hammond.
It also requires any poten-
tial ministorage facilities to
be built at least 100 feet off of
Harbor Drive.
The main thoroughfares de-
serve tougher standards, city
officials have said, because
they are gateways into the
community.
There are no ministorage
applications pending in the
city, said Mark Barnes, inter-
im community development
director.
Waterline to Hammond
An improved water line to
Hammond – in the city’s plans
for decades – is expected to
go out to bid next month, City
Manager Linda Engbretson
said.
The drinking water main line
will follow the Warrenton Wa-
terfront Trail from Warren-
ton Marina out to downtown
Hammond.
New business and home de-
velopment have been stalled
in Hammond because of prob-
lems with water flow and low
pressure, which can lead to
water quality problems and
fire safety issues.
The $1.645 million project
received a grant from the U.S.
Environmental
Protection
Agency’s Safe Drinking Water
Loan program.
Warrenton is considered a
disadvantaged city because
there are lots of miles of ag-
ing pipe without enough tax-
payers per mile to adequately
maintain them. That made it
more eligible for the grant.
What isn’t covered by the
grant will be funded with a
loan at 1 percent interest.
the
Columbia
Great Columbia Crossing
Virtual 10K / 5K
Race registration is $40 and includes
race bib, finisher medal, long sleeve T-shirt,
coupon book and more.
Enjoy the perks of a virtual event:
Pick your race course.
Avoid the crowds.
Choose your start time.
Set your own pace.
GreatColumbiaCrossing.com
Registration is open now!
Complete your race
between October 11-17, 2020.