The following is a message I received regarding the Hood River Waterfront from the Windance mailing list. Thought I would pass it on - everyone write the City of Hood River a letter!
Chad
Important Meeting:
6:00 September 10th
Hood River Courthouse (309 State Street)
It is time to put pen to paper; and I am not talking about going back to school. Once again, the Port of Hood River is trying to place large buildings on Lot #6. For clarification, Lot #6 is located directly West of Luhr Jensen. From East to West along the Columbia it goes: Event Site, Luhr Jensen, Lot #6, Lot #7, and then the Hook.
Most of you who have windsurfed here for the last 10 to 20 years probably remember what the H.R. Marina used to look like. Now, the sand from the Hood River has silted up and eliminated this location as a windsurfing spot. The Port has also banned windsurfing at the Spit. So, the only windsurfing access locations left in Hood River are the Hook and the Event Site. The Hook has issues with a wind shadow from Wells Island. Lot #6 shows promise as a great multi-use park.
In virtually all the waterfront plans for the last 15 years, a waterfront park has been designated for Lot #6. Now, the Port has put the fox in charge of the henhouse, and wants their chosen developer (William Smith of Bend, OR) to decide what to do with all the property in this area. Not surprisingly, everyone wants Lot #6. The Port would like to put any waterfront park on the much smaller Lot #7 (never mind the main outlet from the sewer plant is under lot #7, and there is already a huge building there). Now is your chance (perhaps your last) to voice your opinion about the future of the waterfront (some would say the future of Hood River). For more info on the ensuing battle, check out this website:
http://www.hoodriverwaterfront.com/
There is an important public meeting on September 10th where the Port will be requesting zone changes for the Hood River Waterfront area. We each need to send a quick note or testify in person at this meeting!
Please do one or more of the following things to help preserve the land North of Portway for parkspace.
1.Write a letter to the city of Hood River right away. Ask that your letter be placed into the public record for the planning commission meeting on September 10th
2.Attend the public meeting at Hood River Courthouse (309 State Street). It is very important to fill up this room with people.
3.Testify at the meeting. It would be great if they had to extend testimony for an additional meeting.
Here are some points that would be helpful to mention in your testimony:
We need to stress the importance that water access/ parks have towards the local economy (as apposed to condos, and hotels along the waterfront). I think that there is plenty of room for hotels, condos, industrial, commercial and lots more in this area (on the South side of Portway), just not North of Portway. Please show your support for at least a six acre waterfront park and adequate public access to support water-sports recreation. We need to demonstrate how all outdoor recreation including windsurfing, kiting, fishing, boating, and tourism creates jobs.
The port is using statements that talk about poverty and hunger in Hood River, and are making us look like we don't care about these things. Perhaps we can counter these arguments. How will condos and hotels on our waterfront help prevent poverty and hunger? I believe that having a public park will create more indirect jobs than condos on Lot #6. There is plenty of room for development South of Portway where many buildings can go, but leaving the waterfront open to water uses seems logical.
Would a waterfront park on Lot #6 generate “family wage” jobs? Would it help the local economy?
Finally, it would be helpful to mention these goals which are outlined in Hood River’s Comprehensive Plan:
Goal 5. (to conserve open space and scenic recourses)
Goal 8 (satisfy recreation of citizens and visitors)
Goal 9 (support and improve local economy, to promote a livable community and provide adequate facilities for anticipated economic growth
Remember, the Port is putting a proposal on the table for the city planners. The planners are the ones looking at the Port’s proposal, and can then decide what to do.
email to cindy@ci.hood-river.or.us
Mail letters to Cindy Walbridge , C/O City of Hood River, P.O. Box 27, Hood River, Or. 97031
Thanks for your help, Brian
Hood River Waterfront
Moderator: MK