The City of Hood River Utilities Department will conduct sanitary sewer system smoke testing on August 12th and 13th to gain information for future sewer improvements. Community members may notice a distinct odor that results from this testing. The smoke testing will involve opening and
Council meetings now live-streamed
Attendance at City Council meetings can now be in-person or remote. Testimony may be given remotely or in-person, and all official City meetings are now live-streamed and archived on the City website. Prior to the 2020 pandemic, the City had been working on plans to equip the Council Chambers
City seeks Housing Task Force Members
HOUSING TASK FORCE The City of Hood River seeks applicants to participate on a diverse advisory community task force for its Affordable Housing Production Strategy (AHPS). The task force will review initial proposed housing strategies and provide input based on personal or professional experience
City of Hood River Bans Fireworks Use
Concerns for fire danger are heightened during upcoming July 4th holiday celebrations due to unprecedented weather and drought conditions. As a result, the City of Hood River has declared a State of Emergency that includes a ban on the use of personal legal and illegal fireworks effective
City seeks Planning Commission applicants
The City of Hood River is accepting applications for Planning Commission to fill positions serving through October 2025. Applicants can reside within the Hood River City limits or the Urban Growth Boundary. The Planning Commission acts as a hearing body on zoning actions; makes advisory
Partnerships with CAT promote transportation access
The City of Hood River has THREE new partnerships with Columbia Area Transit (CAT). They promote transit with free GOrge Passes for downtown employees and low-income residents as well as support for summer weekend trolley service. Downtown Employee Bus Pass Program Downtown employees
City of Hood River unaffected by chlorine shortage
A power disruption at a major northwest manufacturing plant has created a chlorine shortage that may affect Oregon’s water supply. The City of Hood River is in no danger of running out of chlorine for disinfection of drinking water or wastewater. The City of Hood River produces its own supply of
Give Input on Heights Urban Renewal
The City continues to take community input for improvements to the Heights streetscape and urban design plan with emphasis on addressing traffic and pedestrian safety, walkability, and the area’s local businesses. Results from the March survey and stakeholder meetings summary (to date) are now
City seeks input for City Manager recruitment
The City of Hood River seeks community input for its City Manager recruitment. Community members can provide input by attending a community meeting on May 20th and/or responding to a community survey by May 21st. The survey and community meeting are facilitated by Jensen Strategies, the
SRTS completes Walk Audits at City Schools
The City of Hood River is working with partners to create a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Plan to identify street improvements near May Street Elementary School and Hood River Middle School to support students and families in walking and rolling to school safely. Another phase of the Safe Routes
City Seeks Input on 780 Rand Rd. Development Alternatives
In 2020 the City purchased seven acres of land with the intent to have a developer build affordable housing on the site. A consultant then was hired to prepare a development strategy for the site. The consultant prepared four development alternatives. Please review the development alternatives
Low Impact Development Improves Stormwater Management
Low Impact Development (LID), also known as Green Infrastructure, is an on-site approach to stormwater management using various techniques to manage stormwater as close to the source as possible. Examples include vegetated areas, natural or manmade swales, rain barrels, green roofs and permeable
April is Arbor Month
April is Oregon Arbor Month, and the City of Hood River is proud to share it’s been named a Tree City U.S.A. for the 9th consecutive year by the Arbor Day Foundation. We appreciate the work of all on the City’s Tree Committee. Additionally, City Mayor Kate McBride has proclaimed April 30th,
Honoring our Planet
“I feel more confident than ever that the power to save the planet rests with the individual consumer.” - Denis Hayes, Organizer of the 1st Earth Day, 1970 – Honoring Our Planet – The world continues to see impacts from climate change in rising seas and the increased intensity of wildfires,
Council approves 2021 Work Plan
The Hood River City Council’s 2021 Work Plan is in place after the plan developed from its early February work session was approved. At its virtual workshop, Council affirmed long-term goals and the most important projects for the organization to undertake in 2021. A new goal to work towards an
Give Input on Heights Urban Renewal
The City of Hood River Urban Renewal Agency is launching a community-wide survey campaign to further refine community input for improvements to the commercial section of the Heights. A three-week online survey is part of the first phase of a 15 - 18 month effort to formalize a streetscape and urban
City Invites Input on Multiple Projects
The City of Hood River has three projects for which it is currently seeking public input: its Transportation System Plan (TSP) Amendment, Safe Routes to School projects, and a Heights Urban Renewals streetscape plan. To make it easier for the community to offer input, the City has created a
Give Input on the City’s TSP Amendment
Give Input on the City's TSP Amendment. A virtual “open house” is being held to gather input from the community on Hood River's Transportation System Plan (TSP), a long-range plan for motor vehicle, pedestrian, bicycle and transit projects, last updated in 2011. The virtual “open house” and online
Helping the Houseless Overcome Barriers
How can we help individuals overcome barriers to housing? The City of Hood River has contracted with Alisa Fowler, a licensed clinical social worker, to provide direct outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness. Fowler specializes in mental health and housing with a commitment to the model of
Free downtown parking begins Dec. 14
Free downtown parking will be offered during the holiday shopping season from Monday, December 14th through Friday, December 25th, 2020. On Sundays and federal holidays, parking is always free. Although paying to park is not necessary during these dates, please note all other parking rules will
Fall Leaf Reminders
The City provides leaf drop-off to city residents at its Public Works facility between 8:00 a.m and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday as a free fall season service. The service begins October 5th and ends at the first seasonal snowfall. Residents will be required to empty any bagged leaves. This
City Directs CARES Act Funding to Community Aid
The Hood River City Council directed $195,000 in CARES Act funding to local partners that aid social services agencies, business organizations and individuals economically impacted by COVID-19. The City was allocated a total of $299,633 in COVID-19 relief funds last spring. It has been used for
Janeck joins City as Public Works Director
Following an extensive search process, the City of Hood River has selected Mark Janeck as the City of Hood River’s new public works director. Mark’s first day is September 21. Since 2015, Janeck served as director of public works and engineering in Wheeling, Illinois, a city with a population of
Many Recreation Areas Closed Temporarily
Much of the Columbia River Gorge and Mt. Hood area parks, forest lands and recreation areas are closed due to threats of unprecedented and dangerous fire conditions combined with extreme heat, significant wind events, dry conditions, and firefighting resources that are stretched thin across the
Hood River Police Use of Force Reviewed
Following the tragic death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, the City of Hood River joined communities across the nation this summer in signing the Mayor’s Pledge, a national effort to evaluate Use of Force policies, make any necessary changes and listen to the community. Hood River City Council