The city of Washougal “will be a safe, vibrant and friendly community that successfully balances growth and expanding economic opportunity while preserving the community’s natural beauty and the unique amenities of small-town living,” according to an updated vision statement included in the city’s new five-year strategic plan.
The Washougal City Council will vote to adopt the plan in April or early May, according to City Manager David Scott. The city adopted its current 10-year plan in 2012.
The city hired BerryDunn, a Portland, Maine-based national consulting firm, in 2022 to assist with the strategic planning process, which included stakeholder interviews, surveys, open houses and in-person “community vision” forums.
“We were super thrilled by the level of participation we received from the surveys and at the open houses and community forums,” Scott said. “We’re really grateful for it.”
Representatives from BerryDunn presented a report to city leaders during a meeting on March 6, that included recommendations under five core themes — economic development and community prosperity; financial health and core services; vibrant town center; “smart” growth; and redefined community identity.
Among BerryDunn’s suggestions:
- Establish an economic development manager position “to champion and coordinate economic strategic objectives and carry out the tasks associated with the plan.”
- Explore the creation of a metropolitan parks district or identify “preferred options for enhanced parks and recreation services.”
- Establish agreements with “significant” town center property owners to allow for redevelopment that will result in a “vibrant” downtown core.
- Implement a “citizen’s academy” to help students, residents and business owners “learn how their city government functions and what they can do to help improve it.”
The strategic plan “is a living document that we will use to define the future vision for Washougal,” according to the city’s website.
On the web
For more information about the plan, visit berrydunn.mysocialpinpoint.com/washougal-wa.
