NHURA is closer to reality
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, July 12th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
HERMISTON – No one spoke in opposition to the formation of the North Hermiston Urban Renewal Area at this week’s regular city council meeting. Assistant City Manager Mark Morgan says that the designation will make the area eligible for urban renewal funds so a road connecting Highway 395 and Fourth Street between Elm and Theater can become a reality.
“Everybody who has ever driven 395 in that vicinity knows that congestion is bad and only continues to get worse,” Morgan said.
In addition to developing a connecting road, the work would also involve creating a traffic signal. Morgan said that can become an expensive addition, making urban renewal funding even more vital.
“It sets up well for urban renewal to go in and make these improvements while the area contains some pretty high value but currently vacant property,” he said. “We’ve been working on it for a number of years.”
Morgan said the vote on formation of the new area will be on the agenda at the next council meeting on July 25.
