Hood River city council approves final report for Heights Streetscape Plan

“I think the plan is beautiful. It’s aggressive. It’s generational,” Council Member Mark Zanmiller said.

The plan includes constructing a roundabout at 13th and May streets, creating two-way traffic flow on 13th Street, relocating traffic-impeding driveways to side streets, replacing or widening sidewalks, updating crosswalks, creating medians and buffers between certain streets and sidewalks, and updating shared-use paths and bicycle tracks.

The plan also includes planting trees and shrubs along corridors and key intersections, adding new street furnishings such as benches and trash receptacles, and the implementation of green stormwater infrastructure.

“The landscape around the streets can help mitigate paved surfaces, help protect the surrounding natural environment, and recharge groundwater,” said MIG, Inc., Director of Engineering Nathan Polanski. MIG is the consulting agency working with city staff on the project.

The implementation of the plan will involve prioritizing key circulation projects, while also integrating less complex projects, as funding is available from local, state and federal sources.

There will also be discussions with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) about the jurisdictional transfer of OR-281 from state to local authority, which will involve costs, maintenance allocations, and design approval.

“ODOT sees some challenges under highway design standards that are different and less flexible than … general design standards that can be applied under local jurisdiction,” Polanski said.

The jurisdictional transfer “could provide the opportunity for streets and intersections to be reconstructed and operated consistent with local design standards,” and in a way that “better responds to the community’s vision,” according to plan documents.

Although the plan was unanimously approved, some council members voiced concerns about the plan’s budget and timeline.

The plan’s budget, for its size, felt daunting to Council Member Megan Saunders, compared to other urban renewal projects. She expressed the important role grants will play in funding the project.

“Knowing where and how we’re going to get matched [with grants] is going to be critical to achieve this,” Saunders said.

Each project within the Heights Streetscape Plan has an estimated cost based on design, management, permitting, and construction contingencies. The roundabout, for example, would likely be the largest ticket item, ranging from $12.8 to $16.4 million.

The plan doesn’t include a specific time frame. Instead, projects will be implemented based on funding availability.

Council Member Grant Polson said the maximum federal funding rate is 80% federal with 20% local funding. However, Saunders said 50% federal funding with 50% local funding might be more realistic.

There will be one final Heights Streetscape Plan presentation in the future. Next steps will also include formally adding the plan to the city’s Transportation System Plan and implementing the projects as soon as is reasonable and feasible.