MEDIA RELEASE

City of Woodburn
Contact:  Scott Derickson, City Administrator at 503-982-5228
www.woodburn-or.gov

For Immediate Release

July 2, 2009 - Woodburn City Officials announced today that the City has been awarded a $202,500 grant through the Oregon Transportation and Growth Management Program intended to benefit the Highway 99 East Corridor Area.  The grant will fund the development of the proposed Highway 99 East Corridor Plan.  “Clearly, Highway 99 East is in need of improvement as a gateway to our community.  This is the first step in seeing a long-term improvement to that area,” said Jim Hendryx, Woodburn’s Community Development Director.  Hwy 99 East provides local access to businesses, serves as a major north/south transportation route between Wilsonville and Salem, and is one of the City’s main transportation corridors.  The Corridor Plan will guide future development, access, and improvements along HWY 99 East in the City of Woodburn said Hendryx.

“The City worked closely with the Chamber of Commerce and 99 East Businesses in demonstrating local business support for this project, it was that partnership and the support of the City Council that will make this project possible” said Scott Derickson, Woodburn’s City Administrator.  As part of the grant application, the City received a signature petition demonstrating local business support for the project, which was critical to getting the project funded Derickson said.

Rehabilitation of the highway, including streetscape improvements is necessary in order to revitalize the City’s Commercial General District fronting Hwy 99 East.  Properties along the 99 East include a mix of commercial retail, service, and vacant and underutilized land. As development of vacant lands and redevelopment of existing development occurs along the corridor, site access, site design, local connectivity, and pedestrian and bicycle safety are needed in order to improve safety, eliminate conflicts, provide access to new developments, and improve the economic and transportation viability of this section of Hwy 99 East. 

The Corridor Plan, once completed will include an action plan for future projects and standards to help guide future development and access along Highway 99 East, thereby benefiting the performance of the highway and the City. The Plan will identify and prioritize specific roadway improvements, funding options, and implementation mechanisms.

The Mayor and City Council will appoint a citizen steering committee to oversee the development of the 99 East Corridor Plan.  The plan will take approximately a year to complete.