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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 16, 2002)
I a U IIIVII1UUI — __ ___________—— —— — — ODDA study * includes many potential improvements and changes . . . .• x. :x.. < u.. r '—> « u.hnro ■■ i studv of the From page 1 city. Hunter also identified chal lenges that the community will face including the readiness for change in a community that had dramatically changed in the last ten years. According to Hunter, there are excellent op portunities for success in local businesses if excellent, person al service and unique quality merchandise are offered. Hunter said niche markets exist for convenience markets, res taurants such as a deli, yogurt shop or ethnic food, and bed and breakfast lodging. She concluded her presentation by outlining strategies for success including defining the commu nity’s image and establishing a clear market identity, aggres- sively marketing the city, form ing a business assistance team and developing local leader ship. Magnus Bernhardt, assisted by Jeff Johnson, both of AEI, presented drawings of what Banks could be like in the fu ture. His work stresses the con cepts of continuity, connectivity and community. Bernhardt showed the audience a map il lustrating a continuous series of pathways surrounding and connecting centers of activity at the linear park and antique shop trailhead, Arbor Village, Sunset Park and a proposed community plaza. Bernhardt also showed two drawings of a proposed town plaza on the site currently oc- cupied by Cop’s Towing, whose owner indicated to the team that his property would be available. The design would open up the area to allow a view out into the adjacent farm land. The plaza area would be an extension of Depot Street into a brick-paved, open area available for a variety of uses such as farmers’ markets, con certs and seasonal events. The plaza would serve as a central hub for a variety of buildings including city hall, a community center and a mix of businesses. The goal of a plaza is to provide an inviting place for local residents to gather and for passing traffic to slow down, then stop and explore. Johnson’s drawings showed Habitat for Humanity seeks family for second home Columbia County Habitat for Humanity successfully com pleted its first house in 2001 and is looking forward to start ing on a second home in 2002. Three informational meetings are scheduled on January 19 to explain the program and begin the process of finding a “part ner family” that is looking for the opportunity to buy a decent, affordable home. Criteria for home ownership with Habitat for Humanity is based on need, ability to pay and willingness to participate as a partner with Habitat. Addi tionally, applicants must live or work in Columbia County for one year. Habitat for Humanity volun teers have planned meetings at the following locations through Columbia County on January 19: 10:00 a.m. - St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, SW High Street, Claskanie. 1:00 p.m. - St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Vernonia. 4:00 p.m. - Warren Baptist Church, 16799 Columbia River Hwy., Warren. Applications, income re quirement tables, informational brochures, and house plan in formation will be available for review at the meetings. Applicants will be consid ered for a Habitat Home if cur- District changes on new website Every decade the bound aries of Oregon’s legislative districts are adjusted to equal ize the distribution of popula tion. The latest redistricting also changed the order of state House and Senate districts. Voters who want to know the number of their new state House or Senate District, or who is now representing them, may obtain the information from the Oregon League of Conservation Voters’ website, <www.olcv.org/leglookup> By entering a zip code, the new district number, legislator’s name and contact information are available. The new district boundaries apply for the 2002 elections and will remain in effect from now through 2011. Congres sional districts have not yet been finalized. Legislative district maps and other information are available from the Oregon Secretary of State website <www.sos.state. or.us/elections/other.info/maps. html> County Elections offices will be issuing new voter registra tion cards in January of 2002. rent housing is not adequate and if they are unable to obtain adequate housing through con ventional means. Lack of ade quate housing may include problems with the present structure (water, electrical, sewage service, heating or fail ure to meet city property main tenance standards). Consider ation is also given to the num ber, ages and gender of chil dren compared to the number of bedrooms in your home. Once selected, the applicant becomes a “Partner Family” with Habitat for Humanity. The Partner may assist with “sweat equity” in the actual construc tion of the home or other activi ties in preparation for eventual home ownership. Families must complete 300 to 500 hours of sweat equity and up to 35-percent of the total hours can be contributed by friends and relatives. For more information, in cluding information on child care or interpreters during the meetings, call 503-366-4595. d& aA & (b s d i HOT, ICED & BLENDED DRINKS & TEA PASTRIES • MUFFINS • COOKIES • BAGELS SANDWICHES • SALADS • SOUPS • CHILI • CHILI DOGS 6 ' SUBS • DELI TRAYS AVAILABLE BY SPECIAL ORDER ( Order your Super 6 'Sub for Super Bowl Sunday!! Tanning by Appt. or Walk-in potential of the Antique Barn as a mixed use facility and trail- head. Using one of the options identified in the Sellers Road preliminary engineering study that moves the intersection of Sellers Road to the west, John son designed a fantastic com munity space where the inside of the building could house an information booth, café and mixed retail space, particularly for a bike or equestrian shop. A partially covered patio could al lowing for indoor/outdoor din ing, and on the outside of the , .... .. ____ . .. o „ . * .. fnr rarc corral and parking for cars, trucks and horse trailers. Jeff Graves, of Serra Archi- local architectural style. Ac cording to Graves, city hall, the hardware store and particularly the tavern have a style that is “pure Oregon." He identified common features that can be used to create a theme includ ing awnings, porches, high win dows, and false-fronts. Graves went on to present drawings of specific projects that would en hance the appearance of build ings and create a unified look for the city. The comparatively low-cost projects include decks, window-trim, benches and lighting. Graves concluded the evening’s presentation by out lining a series of priority actions the team felt were important to help the city move on to the next step. In the next six months, the team proposed, the city should form a down town development committee, reach-out to other successful communities, begin an annual downtown clean-up day and regular street sweeping, devel op a Banks brochure, install en trance signs, and establish a business assistance team. The team also recommended that Banks identify and establish uniform design standards, set up a revolving loan/grant pro gram for façade improvements, and market the town aggres sively. The team’s final report will be prepared in the next month. out on Limb gifts • antiques - collectibles OPEN: T u e-M -T Iiu -S at, 10-6 • Fri, Noon-6 • Sun, Noon-4 58650 N ehalem H wy . S., V ernonia (N ext to S torage , Too) 503-429-0156 • S haron B ernal , P rop . Rabies Special $g50 ) Mon 5a-1p *Tu-F 5a-3p • Sa 7a-4p • Su 8a-12p • Deli opens 11a 854 BRIDGE ST., VERNONIA • 503-429-9011 Brad Sinn, Circuit Rider Pro- ject Manager for ODDA. tects. tects, conducted a study of the V alley V eterinary C linic f o & a i w a 9 /n j2 u L & & £ a £A& aao j . .. Thursdays 10 am ■ 5 pm 58376 Nehalem Hwy. S, Vernonia (Near Sunnyside Cafe)
