For a flavor of the local developments and debates over Hood River's
downtown renewal projects, select from the following articles:
It all began 30 years ago when Carol Perron asked her husband, Duane, to buy her a carousel figure. One became two and two became four. And pretty soon . . .
Today, son Brad Perron, who purchased the Wells Fargo Bank Building on Oak Avenue last August, has bought the adjacent Eagles building at Third Street and Cascade Avenue for $350,000 and is planning to open the world's largest carousel animal museum in June.
The Perron family, of Parkdale, owners of the world's largest collection of carousel figures, developed an all-consuming passion for the figures at a time when carousels in the U.S. were disappearing at an alarming rate. Duane Perron, at the time director of marketing for U.S. Bank, put off buying his wife that first figure. But when the price kept rising, he finally bought one. In his travels for the bank he found more carousel figures. He discovered he could buy an entire carousel and sell off one or two premiere figures to pay for the entire group. It became a hobby.
"Soon it became a mission," Brad said, as his dad and mom, now completely in love with these marvelous carousels and their prancing figures, were determined to save the dwindling number of figures from total elimination. He quit his job at the bank, cashed in his savings and retirement funds, borrowed more money and the Perron collection took shape.
In 1981 they formed the Portland Carousel Museum and obtained 501C3 tax exempt status. They put a carousel at the World Forestry Center in the Portland Zoo and another in the Burger King restaurant on Barbur Boulevard. Seven years later son Brad, a mortgage banker, entered the family business and immediately put the business "in enormous debt by restoring the figures to mint condition." Several aborted plans to build a museum in Hood River failed before Brad bought the U.S. Bank building.
Meantime, he had set up carousels at six
California locations - the Richmond Hilltop Mall in San Francisco,
Eastridge Mall in San Jose, Chase Palm Park in Santa Barbara,
Media City Center in Burbank, South Bay Pavilion in Los Angeles
and Parkway Plaza in San Diego. A seventh went up in Palisades
Center in West Nyack, N.Y. "These venues helped provide some
of the necessary capital to continue
with our plans," Brad said.
Two carousels are in storage and one of them, the same carousel his mom used to ride as a child, is going back to her native Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. The second one is being saved for a special purpose. A $25,881 grant from the Mt. Hood Economic Alliance will defray costs of stanchions and signage for the carousel figures in the museum. Between 300 and 400 animals, ranging from costly horses frozen in mid-gallop, to farm animals, to roaring lions and other African animals, to figures "pulling" a relic fire truck, will be displayed in the museum at any one time.
The Perron collection of 700 is larger
by seven times than any other carousel figure collection in the
world. Entry to the museum will be on Oak Avenue. The Third Street
side of the bank and Eagles buildings slopes downhill. Perron
will knock out a wall on the first floor of the bank building
which houses the museum which will then open up
additional footage on the second floor of the Eagles building
so that the museum can expand to a total of 9,600 square feet.
The third floor of the Eagles Building will become an open banquet
room, styled in carousel figure motif, capable of serving up to
300 persons. It will also be used as a business and convention
meeting room, Perron said.
The museum will feature two small carousels for children. One is from the 1860s-1870s and is a hand-cranked model. The second is a Blue Goose carousel from the 1900 period and is electrical-powered. Perron also is restoring the Eagles Building to its original styling, including ripping out the street-level front panels covering the original windows. Four retail shops, one of them possibly a restaurant, will have carousel figure motifs.
"We'll be seeking renters in the near future," he said. And the special purpose of that second stored carousel? Perron plans to erect it in the parking lot behind the building. "It will be the world's finest carousel and we'll do it just as quickly as we can provide the labor and funds to put it up."
The museum, he added, will be completely supported by the Perron family "as a work in progress." So we can look for additions and changes in the future as the museum grows.
With new streets, sidewalks and trees and underground utility lines, Hood River's historic downtown district is presenting a fresher face to visitors and local shoppers. But some merchants are hoping to create a new program that will add some extra touches to the area, plus provide an avenue for activities and events that will further enhance the district and its businesses.
The Downtown Hood River Business Association is seeking to establish an Economic Improvement District. The district, funded by downtown businesses, would employ its own manager to oversee local improvement projects, special events and participate in other issues affecting downtown merchants.
Last month the Hood River City Council adopted an ordinance setting up the legal framework for the creation of a district. The actual work of bringing the program together is still under way. Andrew McElderry, president of the business association, said the district can be the catalyst for a number of projects, from a holiday lighting project to block parties and "brown-bag" musical concerts, including events targeted for the off-season "shoulder" months.
"The opportunities are limitless," he said. Moreover, the district would help foster a closer sense of community among downtown merchants and property owners, he said. Aside from working on special projects, the downtown manager could also assist in such efforts as helping property owners find new tenants for vacant space, McElderry said. The program would be affiliated with Livable Oregon and Mainstreet U.S.A., a private organization that sponsors programs similar to the proposed Hood River EID.
A recent survey of downtown merchants and property owners resulted in "pretty positive feedback" about the establishment of an improvement district, McElderry said. An EID is similar in concept to a local improvement district (LID), which local governments often establish in order to charge property owners for the costs of infrastructure improvements, such as water and sewer service or streets.
The council's passage of the EID ordinance last month provides only the framework for the proposed Hood River program. Organizers have yet to work out how the costs of the program will be assessed to participating property owners, the level of assessments and other details, McElderry said. Under an EID the costs of the program can be assessed through a property assessment or a business fee, and can be mandatory or voluntary.
The process is moving slowly at this point. The summer season has kept merchants busy, and downtown property owners recently received the assessments for their share of the Oak Avenue Urban Renewal improvement project, McElderry said. After the program's details are ironed out the city council will hold a public hearing prior to considering another ordinance putting the EID into effect. If property owners representing more than one-third of the participating businesses object to the district, it cannot be formed.
McElderry has experience with a similar entity in McMinnville, where he is part-owner of another business. Merchants in that community southwest of Portland formed a downtown improvement district, an "incredibly strong organization" that has help sponsor a number of events and programs, he said.
If at first you don't succeed, try, try -- and try and try -- again.
The city of Hood River will soon unveil another change to its downtown parking program -- in this case a major overhaul that turns the current system inside out and eliminates a complicated and vexing rule. Under a proposal due to be presented to the city council Dec. 13, parking meters would be installed on Oak Avenue and First, Second and Third streets. Outlying streets, where many of the meters are now located, would be opened to free, unrestricted parking.
City Manager Lynn Guenther drew up the new proposal in response to complaints from drivers and poor returns from the parking meters in their current location. The original plan, put into place in June 1997 after the completion of the new Columbia Avenue parking lot, was designed to encourage downtown merchants and workers to use the four downtown public parking lots or on-street spaces on the outlying roads, and leave parking in the core area for shoppers and visitors.
Since the original plan's implementation,
it has been "tweaked" several times. Meters on Seventh
Street and Industrial Avenue were removed, and some of the time
limits on the free spaces were changed.
The time-limit rule has been among the most troublesome features
of the parking program from the beginning, drawing complaints
from both local and out-of-town motorists who say it is not adequately
explained on downtown parking signs. Under the rule a vehicle
may not park in a free space anywhere in the 20-block district
for longer than a three-hour period. Motorists who drive downtown
in the morning, park for five minutes and then leave could be
ticketed if they return downtown in the afternoon, even if their
vehicles are actually parked for only a few minutes total.
"Over and over this summer we heard from out-of-town people, `we travel all over the country, and we have absolutely no problem paying for parking -- just tell us what the rules are,'" Guenther said. Rather than trying to puzzle out the three-hour, districtwide maximum rule, visitors and shoppers would simply plug meters -- probably 25 or 50 cents an hour -- while employees and others would have free, unrestricted use to spaces on State, Columbia and other surrounding streets, Guenther said.
"People coming downtown should not object too much to paying a quarter to park in front of where they're doing business," he said. The proposed plan includes no changes to the four public parking lots, which would continue to be leased to motorists on a monthly basis.
"There are still people who want to be guaranteed a place to park," Guenther said. Guenther said the proposed plan's impact on revenue has not yet been calculated. Andrew McElderry, president of the Downtown Merchants Association and owner of Andrew's Pizza and Bakery, said the merchants group has yet to discuss and take a formal position on the proposed plan. An association member is researching other towns' parking policies.
There is little disagreement that the current program, including the three-hour rule, needs to be fixed, said McElderry, who himself ran afoul of the time limit when he recently made two stops downtown. While he was parked the second time, he received a ticket, even though his car was parked for only short periods each time.
"The system definitely is not working now," he said. McElderry admitted that employee parking remains a problem, with many workers still using spaces near businesses that should be made available for customers.
Discussion among Hood River City Council members Monday over proposed changes to the city's downtown parking policy showed a solution might not be easy to come by. Responding to ongoing complaints from shoppers, visitors and business owners, City Manager Lynn Guenther has drawn up a proposal to install parking meters in the downtown core area. But councilors are split over the plan.
The proposal was developed to replace the current system, which allows free parking on Oak Avenue and adjoining streets but limits motorists to one time period. The current system has drawn numerous complaints from shoppers and visitors who find it confusing and are angry at receiving tickets simply for parking twice in the downtown area in one day.
Guenther has recommended the city install
parking meters on Oak Avenue and other spaces requested by area
merchants, and charge 50 cents an hour. All existing parking signs
downtown, with the exception of a handful at 30-minute spaces
at Oak and Second, would be removed. Next spring, more meters
would be installed on the adjoining side streets.
In addition, the fees at the city-owned public parking lots, where
the occupancy rate is currently only about 60 percent, would be
reduced to $20 per month or $200 per year. For those merchants
concerned that meters will discourage shoppers, the plan includes
a special option. Business owners would be able to purchase hoods
for placement over the meters in front of their shops, which would
enable motorists to park at those spots for free. The hoods would
be made available for $125 per month, or $200 for two hoods.
The council will take up the parking proposal again at its Jan. 10 meeting. The aim of the entire plan is to encourage downtown business owners and employees to park in the free spaces on surrounding streets or the paid lots, leaving spaces immediately in front of the businesses available for shoppers and visitors.
The current plan attempts to do that by allowing parking in free spaces for only a set period of time, requiring those who work downtown or spend long periods there to use a metered space on a surrounding street or lease a space in one of the parking lots.
Preserving the historical character of downtown Hood River is the aim of a new set of building design guidelines. The guidelines, adopted by the City Council on Monday, affect building rehabilitation and new construction. They outline how to make modern changes without diminishing historical integrity.
The guidelines serve as an advisory blueprint for what type of windows and what color paint to use on an old storefront, how high to build and what materials to use in a new project. The city's new design information includes background material on Hood River's origin and architectural styles, and how to rehabilitate storefronts in accordance with historical models.
The guidelines address standards for new additions, new construction, and building height and width. They also show how to keep historical accuracy and still comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The guidelines assist property owners in maintaining historically-correct roof forms, window types and coverings, entrances, construction materials, colors and signage.
Cindy Walbridge, city planning director, said the new design guidelines will not currently be used as standards for enforcement, although the city may choose that option at a later date. After receiving an $1,100 grant from the state Historic Preservation Office, the city hired the Hood River consulting firm of Donovan and Associates to compile a set of design guidelines. That advisory information will be used by staffers and business owners to make compatible design decisions about local historical properties, many of which date from 1886 to 1937. City officials said the design recommendations are a tool to encourage Hood River property owners to appreciate and preserve the local architecture that is central to the history of the community.
In 1994, the city formed the Hood River Local Downtown Historic District and set up the Landmark Review Board to take the municipal planning commission's place for major alterations of 41 downtown structures within that area. The seven-member board will be able to use the new guidelines when working with building owners on renovations to keep the scale, color and design elements tied to the architecture's origin. She said the document is available to business owners and other interested parties at the city administration building, 301 Oak Street.
About 2,000 bicylists will descend on Hood River Sept. 16, as the town is the terminus of the week-long ride that starts in Paisley, Ore, Thursday. The all-day party Sept. 16 at the termination event site of Cycle Oregon near the Expo Center will feature musical entertainment, international food selections and a raft of activities for everyone. Everyone in Hood River is invited.
The party will honor the 2,000 bicyclists who will have completed a journey that began seven days before in Paisley, Ore. And while the water-front party is in full swing, the annual Antique Show will be open at the Expo Center.
Local coordinator Mary Mosier of Full Sail Brewery said the party hopefully will raise $10,000 for local non-profit organizations and will be a venue for a day of fun for friends and families. The Hood River Fire Department will serve barbecue hamburgers. Thai Dreams will offer Thai food. Centro Cultural will have Mexican food, and a beer garden will be open. The Hood River Grower-Shipper Association will provide local freshly harvested fruit.
On the musical front, Cascade Trio will play from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Too Slim and the Taildraggers will will be on stage from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Buds of May will play from 4 to 6 p.m. OutdoorPlay will demo kayaking techniques and Big Winds will do windsurfing demos. Mosier said the host committee is also working on a kite ski demo. CAT shuttles to and from downtown and Saturday Market, sponsored by the Downtown Business Association, will operate from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. between the water-front party and stops in the downtown area.
Several non-profit groups have volunteered for the variety of revenue-generating opportunities available through Cycle Oregon. Besides Mosier, who is overseeing the day-long festivities, other members of the Hood River organizing team include Carole Dearholt, volunteers; Mac Lee, entertainment; Barb Schuppe and Mimi Macht, food; Shar Carney, hospitality, and Mike Doke, site coordinator. The Hood River Lions Club will handle traffic as the cyclists come out of the Mosier Twin Tunnels and enter town on Highway 30, pedal west on State Street, turn north on Second Street and proceed to the event site. Most cyclists are expected to arrive between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Mosier said volunteers are needed and those interested can call Carole Dearholt at 478-3716; Mosier at 386-2195 (office) or 387-4497 (home), or Doke at 386-2000. Cycle Oregon has contributed more than $3.5 million in the form of grants and financial aid to Oregon communities via the Oregon Community Foundation.
The International Museum of Carousel Art seeks to expand, while increasing its local appeal, as it enters its second year. The museum celebrated its first anniversary on Oct. 17, and has been visited by nearly 3,000 people.
Hood River's Luana Flint lit up a smile as she heard "Off we Go Into the Wild Blue Yonder" being played on the museum's 1917 Wurlitzer band organ. "The sound brought back happy memories," she said. It was her first trip to the museum and she was only there because her son and wife were visiting from Florida.
"We don't want local residents to wait until they have out-of-town guests," said Genevieve Scholl, the museum's executive director. Duane and Carol Perron of Parkdale have been collecting and restoring antique carousel animals for the past 30 years. Most of their collection is on permanent loan to the carousel museum, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to letting the public see and appreciate these beautifully-carved animals and other carousel memorabilia.
"Carol and Duane are the world's foremost collectors in this particular genre," said Scholl. "Carol has always had an encyclopedic approach to her collection." A major goal for the museum is to set up a pavilion containing a fully-restored and functioning antique carousel in the parking lot adjacent to the museum building. It is a source of conflict among carousel animal collectors whether to preserve them as an art form, or to return them to the public in working carousels.
The Perrons are the only major collectors
who do both, having already restored nine carousels to working
order. A 10th is a work-in-progress destined for Long Beach, Calif.
They hope that their 11th will end up in Hood River in about four
years. In addition, some of the most beautiful and rare animals
will remain on display in the museum building in order to preserve
them. In celebration of its first anniversary, and to encourage
local folk to come in and see the display, the museum will offer
free admission to all Gorge residents during the month of November.
The museum also urges people to watch for a mailing of its informational
newsletter, which will shortly be sent to all residents.
"We have already received four grants," said Scholl.
"But we are applying for more significant grants now. A major
factor of whether we get them or not will be whether local people
are supportive of our efforts." Volunteers are needed in
all aspects of the museum's function - from carpenters and carvers
to docents and fundraisers.
The museum will need to raise $3 million before the restored carousel and pavilion can be opened to the public. When that goal has been reached, the Perrons will donate most of their million dollar collection of carousel animals to the museum organization.
"We want to make this a public treasure," said Scholl. "And we want to preserve the tradition of the hometown carousel." The carousel will be enclosed in a lighted pavilion, which will allow passers-by to see it but will keep the distinctive music from flooding the downtown area.
"We don't want to drive everybody crazy," laughed Scholl.
The correct phone number for the International Museum of Carousel Art is 387-4622. The website address is www.carouselmuseum.com.
Hood River merchants are on the move to market their Main Street U.S.A. program. The Downtown Business Association recently received grant funds to hire an Opportunity Coordinator, and wants a city stipend, too. Susan Hull, vice-president of the association, asked the city council on Nov. 13 to help fund the new venture.
"We have an orchestra with no conductor," said Hull. She told the council that many downtown businesses have remained "shell-shocked" from the city's urban renewal effort. That project from 1997 to 1998 restricted traffic on both Second and Oak streets while repaving, sidewalk replacement and infrastructure improvements were underway.
When that upheaval took away even more of the limited available parking, some merchants believe that "locals" began to shop at other locations and took the historic district off their regular trip lists.
And they want those customers back.
A consultant hired by the association in July determined that when residents shop at large commercial chain stores in Hood River it feeds only six percent of every dollar spent back into the community. Whereas, if people buy at the smaller "Mom and Pop" businesses about 60 cents of every dollar is recirculated.
"Without the locals it's difficult to stay in business," said Hull in her presentation to the city council. She said downtown merchants have "reached into their pockets" to help pay for additional holiday lights and both marketing and community events to draw residents and visitors into the area as part of its Main Street program.
The association now wants to continue that unified effort by hiring a part-time activities coordinator. That individual would work on a two-year trial basis to tie together promotional events such as mini music festivals and coordinate space rental, remodels and financing to help establish new businesses. This fall the association applied for and received a $40,000 grant for these two goals through the Mt. Hood Economic Alliance. The matching grant is on a 3-1 distribution so, by the end of December, downtown business owners need to come up with $10,000 to receive the funding.
Hull asked the city to chip in some money since it had a stake in keeping the downtown area economically healthy. City council members were enthusiastic about the concept but unsure about how much financing the municipality could afford with the recent failure of a $500,000 five-year bond levy to replace its aging service equipment.
"We've got to be creative anymore," said Mayor Paul Cummings. The council directed staffers to search out at least a few thousand dollars, possibly from extra parking meter revenue, to contribute to the cause. "This downtown association has done some amazing things to keep viable and we've got to do what we can to help," said council member Linda Rouches.
The Port of Hood River is hoping travelers
will be patient about traffic delays caused by major bridge work
next year. Officials are gearing up for engineering studies on
the $6 million replacement of the metal
decking that was installed in the '50s. The port will be borrowing
the funding for that work that is slated to begin in the fall
of 2001 and could also include replacement of some underspan support
beams.
The overhaul is expected to take about 176 days, requiring some night closures and/or traffic delays. "We hope the public will understand that those delays are the price we've got to pay to keep the bridge safe for travel," said Dave Harlan, port executive director. As preliminary work for that renovation, the port is currently seeking an underwater diving team to monitor placement of rip-rap during repair of two piers at the northern end of the tollbridge.
During the last routine maintenance check, Harlan said divers noted some erosion to Piers 13 and 14 near the liftspan. Although repair costs were originally estimated at about $175,000, Harlan said a subsequent review of the work area found that some of the rough concrete identified for repair was, in reality, extra material that had spilled over old wooden construction forms left around the piers.
The job is now expected to cost less than $75,000, which is good news to port officials. In the past three years, the public entity has spent almost $2.5 million on improvements or repairs to the aging bridge that was built in 1924. The projects were recommended in a 1994 engineering study to keep the structure safe and functional for the next 20 years. These expenditures have been in addition to an annual outlay of about $500,000 for normal maintenance, insurance and toll booth attendant payroll. Another port project has long captured the public interest; development of a waterfront trail running from the Hood River Inn to the footbridge spanning the Hood River.
The port is advertising for a landscape architect to design a handicapped-accessible asphalt pedestrian/biking/jogging path with "breakout" rest areas that include public gardens. The development of conceptual designs, expected to cost up to $10,000, is the next step in the planning process undertaken by the Riverwalk Committee. That group, made up of eight citizen representatives and port commissioners Nancy Moller and Bill Lyons, has set a goal to connect the Marina with the rest of the waterfront. Eventually, the group wants to extend the trail to the Hook at the western edge of the Port property and, ultimately, purchase easements over private property, or linking parcels of land, to run the path east from the Hood River Inn to Koberg Beach.
"It (walkway) will make the waterfront more active and vibrant," said Mike Doke, port marketing director. To review possible walkway designs, committee members individually visited a number of other cities with waterfront paths, including Tom McCall Park in Portland, Green Lake in Seattle and Whistler in British Columbia. The Leland Consulting Group, the Portland-based team which is developing the port's waterfront master plan, has been asked to blend the pathway into its final mixed-use design of port property. That conceptual drawing will be presented to the city in January for its review and consideration.
You can have it all, at least in development of property along Hood River's waterfront. That was the message depicted by the conceptual drawing recently unveiled by the Leland Consulting Group. The Portland-based firm was hired by the Port of Hood River in September to develop a master plan for mixed use of the 31 acres from the Hood River to the riverside jetty known as the Hook.
"It's easier to do something great than it is to do something mediocre," said David Leland, managing director of the project who wanted a bold, innovative plan for the property. After reviewing the history of a number of failed past planning efforts and interviewing about 80 Hood River community members and both civic and business leaders, the Leland team threaded through concerns to find what they feel is common ground.
Shelby Edwards, Leland associate, said it was clear that most of the involved stakeholders wanted use of the property balanced equally to provide both economic development and recreational opportunities. That challenge was turned over to sub-contractor Stastny-Brun Architects, Inc. and Don Stastny, head of that company, began to weave that theme through the fabric of a multi-layered land use plan. The result was a conceptual drawing that used "green swaths" to create open space, separate property uses and provide uninterrupted access along the entire waterfront. The second key was to link the land mass with the Columbia River by placing waterways, fountains and small ponds at strategic locations around the property.
But the most dramatic feature of Stastny's sketch is the broad boulevard that cuts diagonally cross the property, leading travelers and pedestrians from the "gateway" at the base of the Second Street Overpass to a park-like setting on Lot 6, a piece of land that many residents adamantly wanted to keep undeveloped. Secondary roads branch out from that central corridor to the light industrial complex at the western end of the property, screened by naturalized landscaping and tall poplars, to the formalized European style promenade at the eastern end of the property that accommodates mixed residential and business buildings, including restaurants and coffee shops. That area includes a potential amphitheater for outdoor concerts and, if the port purchases Nichols Boatworks, the possibility of a floating stage at the southern end of the boat basin.
Edwards said the conceptual drawing is intended to provide an overall view of property use, similar to a general house floor plan, but the specific details still need to be incorporated. "There were many ideas about what should happen here and we have tried to knit those ideas together into a neighborhood and extension of the existing city," said David Leland. "This is an opportunity you won't see anywhere else along the Columbia River and when it is built out it will be a wonderful addition to the Gorge." For the third and final phase of its role, Leland will work with a landscape architectural firm and economic specialists to fine-tune details that will include a prioritization of projects, zoning guidelines and "ball-park" figures necessary to bring it to fruition.
The Waterfront Task Force will hear those recommendations at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 12 in the municipal chambers on the corner of State and Second streets. Since the city will ultimately decide zoning for the area, the full council will be invited to that public presentation.
Hood River residents and visitors may soon be able to stroll down
a path along the waterfront and enjoy the beauty of public gardens.
The Port of Hood River is seeking a landscape designer to draft
conceptual drawings for an asphalt trail from the Hood River Inn
to the footbridge spanning the Hood River. That handicapped-accessible
pedestrian/biking/jogging path will include rest areas with park
benches, scenic plantings and play areas for children.
On Tuesday the Riverwalk Committee, which has been planning the project since last spring, will review four bids that range from $6,250 to $9,750 for the design work. Its recommendation for the top candidate will be passed on to the port board for review and possible selection.
Contenders for the job are: Karen Mirande Landscape Architect of Dufur, Mayer/Reed Landscape Architect of Portland, Common Ground Landstruction of Parkdale and Walker-Macy Landscape Architect of Portland.
Mike Doke, port marketing director, said six Mid-Columbia landscape architects and two firms from Portland were invited to submit estimates for the job that is expected to be completed by early spring. He said the money to make the drawings a reality will most likely be set aside in the next budget cycle for fiscal year 2001-2002, which begins July 1.
The riverwalk group, made up of eight citizen representatives and port commissioners Nancy Moller and Bill Lyons, has set a goal to connect the Marina with the rest of the waterfront. Plans include extending the walkway to the Hook at the western edge of the port property and, ultimately, by purchasing easements over private property, or linking parcels of land, to run the path east from the Hood River Inn to Koberg Beach.
The Leland Consulting Group, the Portland-based team which is finalizing the port's waterfront master plan, has been asked to blend the pathway into its mixed-use design of port property that is expected to be presented to the city for review and consideration sometime in February.