Small cities on a charm offensive
On June 21, the county adopted its 20-year Comprehensive Growth Management Plan update, finishing three years of work and expanding some small cities' growth boundaries.
To grow the city while keeping its charm, Stuart said, Ridgefield has created design standards so new buildings fit the character of the city.
A $3.1 million grant through the Federal Lands Access Program will make pedestrian and bicyclist access to the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge easier and safer by adding a multi-use pathway connecting the end of the sidewalk on Main Avenue to the Carty Unit.
The Port of Ridgefield's Pioneer Street Railroad Overpass Project received its final piece of funding earlier this year, and construction on that is expected to wrap up by the end of 2018, as well.
The overpass will be located above railroad tracks to connect Pioneer Street to the port's property, making it easier to get from downtown to the waterfront area.
There's a wide variety of opportunity for people and businesses.
"More than the development itself, we want an engaged community," he said, adding that it's important to get residents downtown through community events.
Scott said not only will the park be a place for residents to walk a trail, lounge around and enjoy views of the Columbia River, but will also be a spot to host events.
"What you're seeing is the evolution of a small town," said Phil Bourquin, Camas' community development director.
The change included moving the city outward, making some zone changes and allowing larger campuses, which helped snag companies like Sharp, WaferTech and Fisher Investments.
In Battle Ground, city officials are looking to keep that small-town feel and bring everyone closer together by divvying up the city into neighborhoods.
Erin Erdman, community development director in Battle Ground, said the city is in the early stages of looking at how different parts of the city fit together geographically and how to create individual identities for each neighborhood.
Splitting the city into neighborhoods can also help residents band together through neighborhood associations to tell the city what they want from Battle Ground.
When it comes to new buildings, the city has an ordinance in place to make sure development doesn't stray from the city's current look.
In 1999, Battle Ground's city council adopted Legacy Standards calling for architectural variety, pedestrian-friendly streetscapes and street networks that connect in a grid pattern when possible.
The hope is to make the portions along state Highway 502 into commercial land with mixed use behind that, and to bring in some diversification in the economic base of the city, according to City Manager Jeff Swanson.
Thornton said he's hopeful the casino will help more people learn about all La Center has to offer while they're in town to visit.
Thornton said the city will work on its tourism and outdoor recreation areas as the Ilani Casino Resort opens to try and show people the city is more than home to a casino.
The casino already lowered the estimated population for La Center, which was at 9,000-plus in the 2008 comprehensive plan.
[...] the casino is also helping La Center build for its future, as the casino will have a sewer line running to the east side of the freeway, which is land La Center acquired in the recent county growth plan.
In August, the city contracted with a planning team to create a strategy for how to develop those 50 acres along I-5.