City Info Weekly - 2009/12/23 (Archive)

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Senator Murray will attend groundbreaking ceremony at the Mint Farm Industrial Park on Jan. 5

The City of Longview will be holding a groundbreaking ceremony at the Mint Farm Industrial Park on Tuesday, January 5 at 10:30 a.m. for the South Weber Avenue Extension project.  Special guest speaker will be U.S. Senator Patty Murray, a key player in helping the City obtain $1.4 million in stimulus funds for this project.  The City was awarded the $1.4 million Economic Development Administration grant this past August to help build roads and extend utilities in the remaining undeveloped portion of the Mint Farm Industrial Park.  Infrastructure improvements will extend South Weber Avenue by 2,247 linear feet and provide water and sewer lines as well as sidewalks, curbs, gutters, drainage, and utilities. 

More information:  The public is invited, and RSVPs should be sent to 442.5004 by close of business on Jan. 4, 2010.

RA Long Park and Civic Center survey online

The City of Longview has held two public meetings this fall to develop a master plan for R. A. Long Park and the Civic Center, and more will be held early in 2010. The City previously retained a firm to identify Longview’s attractions and assets from the visitors’ perspective. Recently, local citizens on the Community Assessment Action Team evaluated the identified assets and recommended that renovating and R.A. Long Park become a top City priority. In addition, the City received a federal grant to improve motorist and pedestrian safety around the Civic Center. To ensure that all park and street improvements are compatible, the City will prepare a long-range master plan for R.A. Long Park and the Civic Center.  The plan will take into account historic and cultural elements as well as general design concepts for the park. Community input, combined with traffic and pedestrian studies, will help us determine the best long-range plan for the park.  If you have not been able to attend the workshops about RA Long Park and the Civic Center, you may provide your input via our recently posted survey.  The survey will be posted through December 31, 2009. 

More information: Please contact Project Manager Ivona Kininmonth at 442-5208, or read about the project online.

Homebuyer and foreclosure avoidance counseling available to qualified individuals

The Family Finance Resource Center continues to offer Longview residents a Homebuyer Counseling Program and Foreclosure Avoidance Counseling Program.  These public services are available at no cost to families with low and moderate income.  They are funded in part through the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG).  Longview residents who are above CDBG incomes limits, and all other residents within Cowlitz County having foreclosure issues, can be served through a Neighbor Works America grant and other funding sources at no charge, too.  The Family Finance Resource Center has cited the number of foreclosure prevention clients assisted in Longview from October 2007 to present to be 140 cases, 71 of which are CDBG income qualified. 

More information:  For assistance and to make an appointment, please call 423-9197

Sign up for Adult Basketball League

Sign up now for the winter self-officiated basketball league by January 6 on a first come basis. Don’t miss this great opportunity to get into shape while having fun! Games are played at middle schools on Monday and Thursday nights from January 11 through March 11. A completive upper division and recreational lower division are available. More information:  register online at www.mylongview.com/reconline, or call 442-5400 for more information.

New office hours for most City offices begin February 1

At its November 5 meeting, Longview City Council approved implementation of a four-day work week for a majority of City offices effective February 1, 2010.  Employees in those offices will work four ten-hours days per week, rather than the current five eight-hour days.  Police and Fire services as well as the Longview Public Library will not be affected by the new hours. 

It is estimated that as a result of the new schedule, the City will save approximately $28,000 per year in energy and cleaning costs, plus realize additional fuel savings from City vehicles being off the road one day per week.  Most importantly, people having business to transact at City offices will be able to visit them before 8 a.m. and after 5 p.m. on days when offices are open. New City office hours will be 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

Remember, the City also offers many online features to help you conduct business at your convenience.  Check your water bill statement, find answers to common questions on ASK Longview, register for a recreation program, or look at permits just to name a few! 

More information:  Call 442-5004.

Questions about Longview programs or services?  Don’t forget to check with ASK Longview!