Business View Civil & Municipal l November 2022

42 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 3, ISSUE 9 connect the community. He acknowledges, “People think it’s all for those on the east to get to the high school, but the reality is there are 1,300 acres of development that will be happening over the next 15 years. We’re just showing that we’re going to be a connected, pedestrian friendly, bike friendly community, and make the investments when we can.” As a state, Oregon is very committed to sustainability, and Sherwood is on board, implementing environmental initiatives wherever possible. One such effort is in changing the city’s status from “bedroom community” to a place with jobs, shopping and recreation all within a short distance from home. Mays says, “By increasing that intense focus on economic development and bringing more jobs to Sherwood, we also will greatly reduce commuting. So, we’re doing lots of road projects, trail projects and pedestrian projects. The more people can have a 30 second commute, the better.” Sherwood also has a growing number of Robin Hood Plaza, which Mays maintains will offer an ideal space to help support the many events that take place in Old Town, including the annual Robin Hood festival. The expectation is that his new plaza will be built in time for the first event of 2023, the Sherwood Chamber of Commerce Cruisin Car Show. Sherwood endeavors to protect the city’s tree canopy when planning for new development, protecting their status as a Tree City USA community. Continuous maintenance and development of trails is part of a commitment to sustainability, while also protecting Sherwood’s beautiful natural areas. “This is a very outdoor oriented place. Even in the rain, I don’t see many umbrellas here.” Coleman describes. “People are used to hiking all times of the year. That’s part of the culture of this region, and Sherwood is very much a part of that.” A pedestrian bridge over a 7-lane state highway will add to the walkability of the city, and is something Mays believes is important to