City News: Message | Election Day | Vision (Building a Better Beaverton)
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Message from the Mayor
Our City Fountain is now open! On Saturday, May 7, YOU ARE INVITED to join us for a special grand opening celebration from 4 – 8 p.m. at City Park. I’ve been calling this event a block party because we’ll have performances, art, family-friendly activities, and food (available for purchase). At 8 p.m. we’ll close out the night with a demonstration of the fountain light show. I hope to see you there!
Election Day is also coming up! I always remind people how important it is to vote “down the ballot” – meaning all the way down to the local candidates and measures. Be sure to cast your ballot by 8 p.m. on May 17, 2022.
For a list of ballot drop locations: https://bit.ly/wa-cty-dropsites #ICYMI, the Beaverton Voter’s Forum was held on April 28. The recording is available here: https://www.beavertonoregon.gov/699/Voters-Forum
What Do You Want the City to Look Like in 10 Years? Take the Survey!
Share your thoughts about Beaverton’s future! The Community Vision is a citywide project and opportunity for community members to help inform city priorities and activities.
Prioritizing Under-represented Communities: The Visioning Advisory Committee (VAC) is the volunteer group that leads this process and gives community members a say in the visioning process. The VAC is prioritizing public participation as well as involvement from underrepresented communities.
The 2022 Visioning Process officially launched in early March with a survey, focus groups, one-on-one interviews, and public engagement. The survey features questions about housing, transportation, public safety, climate action, economic development, emergency preparedness, land-use planning, community building/inclusion, and homelessness.
Bringing a Long-Term Vision to Reality: A Year-Round Shelter for Beaverton
The city is moving ahead with the community’s vision for a year-round homeless shelter. After an extensive review of available properties that fit shelter siting criteria adopted by City Council last November, an ideal location has been identified and is currently in the acquisition phase. The city is expected to receive approximately $4.5 million in state and federal funding, including American Rescue Plan Act funds, that will go toward location acquisition and development. This is an opportunity to respond to the homelessness crisis and the community’s long-term call for year-round shelter.
This stand-alone commercial building situated within an established business area will require some rehabilitation, but is centrally located in an area near transit, with close amenities and limited impacts for existing residents. The building will offer space to serve adults experiencing homelessness with beds, meals, showers, laundry, and an integrated medical exam room. This community asset, long planned and supported by community members, will further increase the stability provided to individuals while providing a critical link for transition to housing. This year-round shelter will be operated by Washington County in partnership with a contracted service provider.
Years of community discussions and direction have prepared us for this moment — with the necessary funding and an ideal location, we are ready to act and deliver a community asset that perfectly aligns with our city’s core values. City staff has already initiated conversations with a limited number of key stakeholders to ensure preliminary notification to those most interested and impacted. A Good Neighbor campaign will occur as the project proceeds to ensure community groups, businesses and residents in close proximity to the site are informed in advance of next project steps.
Visit www.BeavertonOregon.gov/Vision to learn more, take the survey, and sign up for an interview!
