HONORING THOSE WHO SERVED OUR COUNTRY
20 THE CHARBONNEAU VILLAGER July 2022
Coffee creek
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In 2021 , Wilsonville completed the first project in the urban renewal plan : improvements to Garden Acres Road that city officials said in 2020 could potentially spur imminent development east of the road .
“ We advanced a sewer line and a water line all the way down Garden Acres Road , and we improved the frontage — we put in all the stormwater planters , we put in the landscaping ,” Neamtzu said . “ An industrial developer would have had to do those improvements absent the city coming in and doing them .”
Since the completion of the roadway projects , Wilsonville is now closing in on having the Coffee Creek Logistics Center — the area ’ s first industrial warehouse totaling over 110,000 square feet — occupied
in June . Plans for another warehouse nearly 150,000 square feet in size additionally passed the city ’ s Development Review Board on May 23 .
Neamtzu said circumstances are looking “ significantly brighter ” in 2022 than in 2020 , when two proposed projects — a hospital and a bioremediation facility — were deemed financially unfeasible and fell through .
Matt Lorenzen , economic development manager for the city , says a key factor driving the slow development process in Coffee Creek is the motivation , or lack thereof , from existing landowners whose homes and businesses have long been established in the area . The city has also expressed concern about storage yards and other low-productivity uses there .
“ The folks who are currently the owners of those properties have varying degrees of motivation and timelines for
when they may desire to sell their property for new development to occur ,” Lorenzen said . “ That disparate ownership of property within the district has probably been the leading factor of what has delayed or at least lengthened the timeline for new developments in the area .”
Neamtzu explained that the purpose of urban renewal is to increase the value of an area through investing in development and in turn boost the tax base . He said once the Coffee Creek Logistics Center is occupied and 2022 is complete , the development will become part of that increased valuation .
“ Then we will have the increment that we need to build additional projects that are identified in the Coffee Creek Urban Renewal Plan ,” Neamtzu said , reiterating that these investments are intended to spur additional development .
Future infrastructure projects in the urban renewal plan include transportation upgrades such as roadway expansions , intersection improvements and sewer system enhancements on SW Day Road and SW Grahams Ferry Road . Fiber optic cable will be installed throughout Coffee Creek to improve internet connectivity .
The Logistics Center , led by industrial developer Panattoni , is in the final phases of construction and is anticipated to be completed “ around mid-July ,” according to a representative for the developer by email .
“ Currently we are finishing the frontage improvements to the project , which include landscaping , street paving , curb , and gutter ,” the spokesperson wrote , adding that the developer is in the completion stage of “ tenant improvements ” for the two businesses under contract to lease the building .
Neamtzu said the tenants will include Newberg-based dental equipment company A- dec and Wilsonville-based medical equipment supplier Owens & Minor Inc .
“ The Coffee Creek location is an appealing site for development because of the proximity to I-5 and the 16-mile radius from Downtown Portland ,” the spokesperson wrote . “ The city continues to make infrastructure improvements , making truck access easier and diminishing traffic issues within city limits .”
On May 23 , the city approved a series of plans , permits and waivers that brought an additional warehouse — located between SW Grahams Ferry Road and SW Garden Acres Road and developed by the Black Creek Group — closer to development .
A representative for Ares Management , which acquired Black Creek Group in 2021 , declined to comment on the ongoing development , citing company policy .
Public health
Dentists prepare to administer vaccines
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Wednesday , November 11 , 2020 • Vol . 36 , Issue 46 • Building stronger communities through great local journalism • savinglocalnews . com
Council mulls ways to support businesses
By COREY BUCHANAN
NEWS IS CHANGING RAPIDLY | For breaking stories , COVID-19 news and the latest headlines , visit pamplinmedia . com
Outdoor parklets could extend season for restaurants
Pamplin Media Group
After doling out thousands of dollars to dozens of small businesses immediately following the onset of the COV- ID-19 pandemic , the Wilsonville government is considering more ways to lend a hand .
During a Wilsonville City Council work session Monday , Nov . 2 , Economic Development Manager Jordan Vance said the city could choose to distribute about $ 40,000 in grants for eight to 12 local restaurants to construct outdoor parklets , add covering , heat lamps and lighting and invest in other tools to extend the outdoor dining season .
Based on a survey he conducted , Vance said business owners would prefer that the city help them construct parklets in front of their restaurants rather than creating a communal pavilion for various restaurants to sell food .
Despite the colder weather , he thought people would still want to eat outside .
“ I think people are restless in their homes . I think there ’ s a desire to get out safely , have a beer , meet someone for a bite to eat . Given our temperate climate , I think if the space is designed safely , comfortably , with ventilation , with covering , I personally think it could be viable ,” he said .
Additionally , Vance said the city could participate in a Small Business Saturday marketing campaign and continue a program it initiated last spring in which it provided gift cards to community members for use at
Bullwinkle ’ s is back
Family fun center reopens for business
Wilsonville looks ahead
By COREY BUCHANAN Pamplin Media Group
T
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Tra talk
Garbage rates to rise
See Page B4 he potential sea change in Wilsonville politics did not come to pass .
According to unofficial results , City Councilor Julie Fitzgerald edged out councilor Ben West to replace Tim Knapp as mayor by a margin of 58 % to 42 %.
Meanwhile , incumbent councilors Kristin Akervall and Joann Linville appear poised to win the two open council seats over challengers John Budiao and Imran Haider , with Akervall garnering 31 % of the vote and Linville 29 % of the vote . Budiao had 25 % while Haider had 14 %.
As of Monday most ballots had been counted , although several thousand remained in Clackamas County . The county elections office expected to finish counting those ballots — which were machine-rejected or those with signature issues — by Thursday evening .
In a statement , Fitzgerald said she was delighted to be elected and by a sizable margin .
“ Wilsonville voters have affirmed their commitment to a safe , civil , economically strong and inclusive community ,” she said . “ I thank each and every one of our Julie Fitzgerald for Mayor campaign volunteers and supporters for their strong support and inspiring values . From writing letters to the editor , to graphic design and building the website to displaying signs and working on many tasks , these volunteers were incredible . My husband , Bob , has been such a rock through the entire campaign , working side by side with me and keeping it fun . I thank each volunteer and my volunteer campaign manager ,
Pamplin Media honors veterans
G up pubviving veterans , now aging into their 90s .
Over the past several years , we decided to move forward in time with the veterans in our communities , h Korea Viet-
Susie Stevens , who is the best campaign manager imaginable .”
After Fitzgerald jumped out to a sizable lead on election night , West initially held out hope that he would catch up in the later returns . He inched a few percentage points closer from the initial results but not enough to change the outcome , and on Thursday , Nov . 5 , he called Fitzgerald to congratulate her on her victory . He surmised that partisan and nationalized politics might have contributed to his defeat , but also said Fitzgerald will make for a
Julie Fitzgerald , a former city councilor , will be the next mayor of Wilsonville after defeating City Councilor Ben West .
PMG FILE PHOTO
“ fantastic ” mayor and that the upcoming council will work great together .
“ I stand by the things I ran on ,” West said . “ I stand by running a campaign that was pro jobs , pro economy . I stand by my call for good government and transparent government and a visionary future .”
Despite the loss , West will continue to serve as a city councilor . His term expires in 2022 .
Fitzgerald reiterated that both candidates are committed to working well together with the rest
Potential swing at City Hall did not come to pass on Election Day
COURTESY PHOTOS Kristin Akervall ( above left ) won reelection to the Wilsonville City Council , while Joann Linville ( above right ) held a narrow lead in the race for a second spot on the council , with some votes left to be counted this week .
“ We will begin 2021 living in a city that is the envy of many for its beauty , safety , strong economic base , beautiful parklike neighborhoods , respect for natural resources and commitment to
inclusivity .”
— Julie Fitzgerald , Wilsonville mayor-elect
See COUNCIL / Page A9 See ELECTION / Page A9
Special section profiles servicemen and women from around region
A SALUTE TO
VETERANS
ample amount of that in these pages . However , it ’ s equally important to acknowledge the humility that many veterans express . Their stories are really about service , not fighting . Keith Weir , a Korean War
Sherwood ,
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