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.