Recently the North Bend City Council passed the city’s Heritage

Corridor Master Plan, which focuses on the area between I-90 and the start of

State Route 202, also called Bendigo Boulevard. The key objective of the study

and plan is to attract additional visitors to the traditional downtown business

district.

The city then appointed a committee which developed two broad

vision statements. One is to develop an attractive, inviting entry experience that

relates the cultural, history and natural environment of the community of

North Bend; and the second is to link the two business areas, the South Fork

business interchange and downtown, together through a cohesive visual linkage.

The commission looked at several areas from which to achieve their

vision. They looked at increasing and improving signage to give freeway travelers

a clue that there is a downtown. Another aspect was the development of

bike lanes with a formal designation of such by the DOT. They also suggested

the creation of traditional sidewalks and curbs to increase safety and to make

the walk between the two business districts more appealing.

The commission also suggested enhancing landscaping to take

advantage of the beautiful view of Mount Si achieved along Bendigo Boulevard. To

further increase pedestrian traffic, the commission suggests separate lighting

for sidewalks with banners and public art along the way to add visual appeal.

I applaud the commission, council and city staff for their efforts in

the planning of this project. It is an effort to promote local business, a definite

step in the right direction and should ultimately increase the city’s tax base from

the downtown businesses. But more importantly, it sends a message to local

businesses that the city does have a genuine concern for the health of the

business economy, a message not always so obvious.

Again, hats off to the developers and supporters of this plan.

Jim McKiernan