NHURA is closer to reality

By on Wednesday, July 12th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

HERMISTON โ€“ No one spoke in opposition to the formation of the North Hermiston Urban Renewal Area at this weekโ€™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.

โ€œEverybody who has ever driven 395 in that vicinity knows that congestion is bad and only continues to get worse,โ€ 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.

โ€œIt 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,โ€ he said. โ€œWeโ€™ve been working on it for a number of years.โ€

Morgan said the vote on formation of the new area will be on the agenda at the next council meeting on July 25.