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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 2, 2000)
Page 6 - 2000 Vernonia Friendship Jamboree Vernonia: A small town with a healthy attitude, Vernonia appears to have adopted the theme “Full Steam Ahead Into the New Millennium” a few years ago. The City, its businesses and its residents are involved in a remarkable round of improvements. Outdoor recreation is still the primary fo cus for non-intrusive, merchant-friendly eco nomic development, with the Banks-Ver nonia Linear Park as the anchor. But the B- V trail is just the tip of the recreational ice berg. Well-thought-out projects bring in major grant funds This year, the City JUDY HILL/THE INDEPENDENT has received grants Vernonia has one of the last free-flowing municipal swimming pools in the state. Rock Creek is dammed each year from mid- for about $450,000 for June until school starts. In the foreground, people are exploring the streamside below the temporary timber dam erected park improvements by the City. A life guard is on duty most days. and expansion. These funds will extend and pave the B-V trail drainage system and other improve from Anderson Park to Lake Vernonia ments are underway for Spencer and construct two handicapped-acces Park’s ball fields, and plans are in sible fishing piers at the lake. Ander place for major improvements to Ora son Park will see major renovations, Bolmeier Park, Shay Park and Airport replacing worn infrastructure for RV Park. spaces, plus new restrooms, showers Organization and enthusiasm In 1999, the City’s 60 and 70-year-old water distri and cooking facility, and a sheltered are effective tools bution system was replaced, with major disruption to Despite a population under 2,500, downtown businesses because the water mains ran picnic area. Also being worked on are a primitive Vernonia has the organization and en under the sidewalks. Though it was difficult, instead of (tent) camping area and acquisition of thusiasm needed to maximize the ef reacting with anger and frustration over the lack of land for increased parking at the lake. forts of volunteers, City staff and con sidewalks for most of the summer, local business own In the meantime, the pool area at tractors who are involved in these on ers crossed their fingers and waited through the tur Hawkins Park has been landscaped, a going efforts. It’s “Full Steam Ahead...” moil and loss of income. When the job was complet ed, they felt they had earned the new sidewalks, street lights and landscaping. Now, as more flowers and new trash receptacles are being added, the business sec tion is even more attractive. Merchants are also improving the appearance of many buildings, with some projects completed, some underway and more in various stages of planning. undaunted Merchants with torn up streets and missing sidewalks City Hall and Library capped 1999 efforts In 1999, Vernonia saw the completion of a new city hall and library. A million-dollar project, the city hall and most of the library were paid for with earnings from city-owned timber. Library construction was aided by an $80,000 grant from the state library, plus a couple of private grants for furnishings. They were built on do nated, surplus state-owned property. Residential, industrial properties upgrading JUDY HILL/THE INDEPENDENT A busy commercial street, Bridge Street is also the north-south through route for Oregon Highway 47, known as the Nehalem River Highway. A big "Thank you” to the agencies who have helped The State of Oregon, Federal agencies, the Northwest Oregon Economic Al liance, and Columbia County have been vital in this small town’s efforts. The City financed the desperately needed new City Hall and Library, but could not complete other big projects without the help of the loans and grants provided by these agencies. Residential properties are also following the trend. The streets are in, utilities have been placed under ground and the lots are ready for construction at Nick erson Ridge, a new residential development off of Knott Street. Plans have been approved for the first phase of townhouse residences at Cedar Mill, a new development within walking distance of downtown. The City of Vernonia has 20 undeveloped acres, as well, that are zoned for residential development. Light industrial property is also available and indus tries that could provide local jobs would be welcomed with open arms. Utilities haven’t yet been extended into these properties but are adjacent to them.
