URAC Recommends Comprehensive Design for The Heights

Great news! The Hood River Urban Renewal Advisory Committee voted to recommend hiring MIG (a planning, engineering and design firm) to do a comprehensive urban design for the Heights Business District. This “Go Big” vision will result in a holistic design for the 12th/13th Corridor between May and Belmont and will include site plans, road sections, a funding and implementation plan and an engineering design for the first project to be constructed. Here’s an example of a similar project that MIG did in another community.

The design project is expected to cost about $300,000. Much of the budget will be devoted to community engagement. Over the last few years, it’s become clear that Hood Riverites are passionate about The Heights and full of strong and sometimes opposing opinions about the best future for the area.  MIG plans on having about ten public events and will work closely with businesses, neighbors, schools, the hospital, ODOT and other community stakeholders as they come up with their designs. The funding for actual construction includes $8.5 million from Hood River Urban Renewal which is expected to leverage another $5 to $10 million in state and private funding.

The next step for the project is approval by the Urban Renewal Agency Board at their meeting in March.

Huge thank yous to those of you who attended meetings or submitted testimony.