Council moves closer to establishing SHURA

HERMISTON – The public did not speak at the hearing Monday night regarding the formation of the Southwest Hermiston Urban Renewal Area. The city is proposing forming the area and then borrowing funds to bring infrastructure to an estimated 350 acres of undeveloped land at the intersection of Feedville Road and Highway 207.

Assistant City Manager Mark Morgan says the city also provided advance notice to all the local taxing jurisdictions that would be impacted by the formation of the district. He doesn’t anticipate any opposition.

“They certainly recognize that this is a unique utilization of urban renewal as a tool because, if not for the utilities going into that area, then none of that value will exist in the first place,” he said.

Several infrastructure projects are proposed. They include an estimated 6,000-foot water line to connect the existing water line on Highway 207 to a newly constructed 2 million gallon water reservoir. Upgrades will be made to the Joseph booster station to charge the reservoir. In addition, an estimated 5,300 feet of new gravity-fed sewer will be installed to connect the new development to existing municipal sewer service. The proposed budget for those projects is a little over $9 million.

Morgan said that in 20 years what is just a dream today will be a reality.

“In 20 years, I picture there being nearly a thousand families living down in the southwest quadrant,” he said. “It’ll have a 40-acre regional park for everyone to enjoy.”

That park will also encompass the large basalt butte and the new reservoir. There will also be several neighborhood parks and trails. It’s estimated the plan will take 19 years to implement.

Photo by Mark Morgan of the raising of the flag at the new Hermiston City Hall Monday night

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Elkhorn Media Group

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