Hermiston, Oregon

4 5 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 3, ISSUE 9 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 3, ISSUE 9 HERMI STON, OR Oregon but one of its most popular suffered tragic damage from a fire in 2019. With fundraising help from the community (which raised about half of the $2 million needed for the project), the new Funland Playground is a “destination attraction,” with three zones including Wild West, Adventure, and Farmland along with a locomotive, wagon train, stagecoach, and even a 6-foot watermelon slice. Funland is a thrilling place for play, education, and engagement for children of all ages and abilities. There are nearly three miles of paved trails near the Umatilla River with more being added in the years ahead to make a larger loop adjacent to the river. The Parks and Recreation department, in conjunction with schools, has created year- round youth sports leagues and a growing number of adult leagues covering a variety of sports from flag football and soccer to volleyball. What it has taken is the brand-new Loma Vista Elementary school, needed to address the growing population of young families. Hermiston High School students moved into a new campus in 2022, complete with athletic and other amenities. Additionally, other infrastructures and technological upgrades have been made throughout the district. Perhaps more than anything Hermiston has highlighted what really makes the community so special – its outdoor natural wonders – one of the driving reasons behind its growth and popularity. It is the largest city in that part of eastern Oregon nestled perfectly in the heart of the beautiful Columbia Basin, perhaps best known for the expansive hydropower generated by the basin for parts of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. More than 10 city parks comprise Hermiston, sewer access and other utility additions. Chrisman Development is a second development partner that is working on a 60-unit affordable housing project to provide opportunities for some residents who may otherwise have a difficult time affording a new home. “Housing is something we need to make sure is available because other (communities) are struggling with it,” Smith says. “If we invest in public infrastructure, it makes it more affordable for us to build housing. While Monte Vista Homes and Chrisman are two of the city’s most valuable partners, Umatilla County has proven to be just as important because of its ability to support infrastructure developments as well, including for housing, retail and industrial. One major project was a water tower that serves residents roughly 100 acres. Smith indicates that Umatilla County was a partner in the construction of Hermiston’s new The lack of affordable housing has become a regional issue in the wake of the pandemic with increasing home values and consumer demand. Hermiston is actively taking steps to ensure there are options for current and new residents. One housing development is Prairie Meadows, located in a part of town that previously never had access to water and sewer infrastructure, Prairie Meadows is an attractive option for middle and upper-middle-class homeowners. The 353-acre site is in the city limits near the intersection of Highway 207 and Feedville Road with a community park to the east. The project is being led by developer Monte Vista Homes, a company that has worked with the city on multiple projects for more than 20 years. It includes 1,300 new housing units with options for homeowners at a variety of income levels. Public and private partnerships are in place for financing that supports water and At Umatilla Electric, we’re shaped by the people we serve. As a community-owned utility, we are driven to be more than a business, we are your energy partner. WWW.UMATILLAELECTRIC.COM Photo Credit: Desiree Posey