Civil Municipal - Feb 2024

aesthetic of the city core. “We are doing sidewalk infill, but in terms of the downtown look and feel, that is something that the economic development committee is looking at essentially creating a downtown plan for. We have some basic requirements in our downtown overlay zone, but in terms of a more recent or newer plan, that’s forthcoming,” Rains acknowledges. The mayor emphasizes the collaboration between City Council, Staff, and the Economic Development Committee, to invigorate this area of the community. Initiatives include urban renewal grants,development code policies promoting a walkable and mixed-use environment, and enhancements to amenities like streetlights.The city is actively working on improving sidewalk connectivity through a local fuel tax and the construction of bicycle routes and trails. He says that as Scappoose moves forward with the downtown revitalization, community events like Earth Day, Movies in the Park, and farmers markets continue to contribute to the vibrancy of the area. Isaac Butman, Assistant to the City Manager, talked about Scappoose’s commitment to community outreach, conveying that the city is committed to engaging residents, and reaching out through social media and other online platforms to share local events and initiatives. “We do what we can to support our partners, particularly the library. They do a lot of events in the park here adjacent to City Hall. So, we always kind of look at how we can support the community, connect them, whether that’s at a smaller event or a larger event,” he says. The Watts House, a Pioneer Museum, and Heritage Park, is home to the Scappoose Historical Society and often hosts events for the community. “We’ve done some outreach for them, to support them, and we’re always looking for ways to connect and kind of enhance that community,” he maintains. 35 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 5, ISSUE 02 SCAPPOOSE, OREGON