Opportunities for feedback on Heights streetscape approach
Three initial concepts for the Heights Urban Renewal streetscape are being studied and refined for discussion at March meetings of the Urban Renewal Agency Board and Advisory Committee. Next will be opportunities for public input and comments, both online and in-person, in open houses scheduled for late April. Each of the three designs are meant to show different design themes for public reaction. The goal is to gather input to assist the preparation of a single preferred design that could include favored elements from each of the concepts.
Community members are invited to an open house at the Hood River Armory on Friday, April 22nd and Saturday, April 23rd where the three concepts for the potential redevelopment of 12th and 13th streets will be presented to the public. Urban Renewal board and advisory committee members, consultants, and City staff will be on hand to explain design concepts, answer questions and listen to feedback. Community members can also give input at the online open house located at: cityofhoodriver.gov/urban-renewal/the-heights-streetscape-plan/. The online open house will cover characteristics of each design with opportunities to answer questions and give feedback from approximately April 15 to May 13. The information received will be used to develop a preferred Heights streetscape design. Spanish language options will be available at online and in person events.
The Heights Urban Design Project Team is led by consultant MIG working closely with City staff. The project team has received feedback from the public, stakeholder groups, and partner agencies such as ODOT, and continues to investigate design options. “In this second phase, we’ve looked at technical issues, pedestrian and biking opportunities, parking, future development forecasts, placemaking opportunities, traffic counts, transit and neighborhood characteristics that will influence and be influenced by the concepts and neighborhood redevelopment,” said City Planning Director Dustin Nilsen. “There is likely no perfect option, but rather we are working on how the streetscape project can best meet and balance all the goals that have been set by the community for walking, biking, and driving while considering local business needs.”
Key Project Goals
For full goal list, visit this page: cityofhoodriver.gov
- Balance traffic calming with business access
- Promote vibrant, connected, & livable streetscapes
- Preserve the Heights as a local destination
- Safe and comfortable bike/ped connectivity
Now in the second of three phases, the project’s adopted goals were used to develop and update the concepts. This input will be used to create a preferred design for the third and final phase of the project.
Three Heights Design Alternatives
Design Alternative 1: Two Lane, Two-Way Traffic, designed to feel like a conventional small town rural business district.
Design Alternative 2: One Lane, One-Way Traffic, designed to prioritize non-vehicular traffic and local trips.
Design Alternative 3: Hybrid – One Lane, One-Way on 12th, Two-Way Traffic on 13th, designed to prioritize through trips on 13th and pedestrians, bikes, and local destination trips on 12th.
Each design alternative has been evaluated for alignment with the Agency’s adopted project goals followed by technical traffic and parking analyses before formal presentation and public feedback.
About the Heights Urban Renewal District
The purpose of urban renewal is to improve specific areas of a city that are underdeveloped or in need of updates and improvements. In 2011, the Hood River Urban Renewal Agency adopted the Heights Business District Urban Renewal Plan, with input from the Heights Business District Association The district covers approximately 96 acres centered around State Highway 281. Using tax increment financing, the Heights Urban Renewal District has a total indebtedness of $8.5 million to be used to implement the Plan.