Hello Longview!
We’ve had our big snow, and now eagerly await the blossoms of spring and the time when the city begins flourishing again with activity and events. Even though, for the most part, we’d rather not even mention 2020, let’s peek back, if only for the sake of rejoicing, at some of the wins we’ve witnessed in the City of Longview during 2020, and a then take a glimpse at some of the great opportunities to look forward to in 2021.
2020- Ribbon Cuttings, Groundbreakings, Traffic Signals, Business and Housing Lots… Oh my!
- Win! Harlie’s Hoops-a full-sized covered outdoor basketball court located on the shores of Lake Sacajawea, adjacent to the Elks Memorial Building on Kessler Blvd., is open for public use.
- Win! Legends Indoor Firing Range- a 50-yard world-class indoor firing range located on California Way will partner with Longview Police Department for law enforcement training, and will also offer services for public recreational use. Construction to begin in the Spring.
- Win! RiverCities Transit- New transit center located on 12th Avenue offers offices for training, six new biodiesel buses and new bus routes.
- Win! Beech Street Extension- 46-acre, Longview Business Park offers 14 buildable business lots, with the potential of producing hundreds of jobs, and attracting $111million in private investments. It is nestled in between California and Oregon Way on Beech Street.
- Win! New ADA standard curbs are located at 10th/New York, 11th/Vandercook and the corners of 30th Avenue to Ocean Beach Hwy. ADA accessible doors were installed inside City Hall in front of the Finance and Community Development offices. The complete reconstruction of 46th Avenue has begun, and the reconstruction of 432/411 on/off ramp at Tenant Way/3rd Avenue is nearly complete.
- Win! Traffic Signal Synchronization along 15th Avenue and Washington Way is complete.
- Win! The Alabama Street temporary homeless encampment entrance was cleared of garbage and waste. Cowlitz County and the City of Longview have partnered on a homeless pilot project.
- Win! A brand-new city plat at Mt Solo Estates Phase 1 is now available for 14 buildable single-family lots.
Looking ahead in 2021 for the City of Longview:
- Events are coming! Council approved over 65k for community sponsored events in 2021 including: Go Fourth, Squirrel Fest, SquatchFest, Crafted Festival, Unique Tin Car Club, Columbia Artists Association, Longview Downtowners, Active Transportation, Cowlitz County Historical Museum, Southwest Washington Symphony and the Centennial Celebration.
- Sections of Oregon Way will receive a fresh new surface with funds from the Transportation Benefit District fund.
- Council approved no utility rate increases for 2021. Council also supported a small business B&O tax relief program for Longview businesses to partake of during the Covid-19 pandemic.
- The 2021 Legislative funding requests for the City of Longview include a renovation and revitalization proposal for Lake Sacajawea’s Martins Dock, sidewalks at Hemlock Plaza and restoring and repurposing lake restroom facilities.
There is so much good to look forward to.
Let’s be grateful for all the little things that make life wonderful, and recommit to share kindness with all.
Blessings always,
Mayor MaryAlice Wallis
Many blessings,
Mayor MaryAlice Wallis