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I am a rural Washington County resident. My vote for development is for "in" rather than up or out.

I live at minimum 30 minutes from the closest urban area (in rural North Plains) - Hillsboro, Beaverton and 45 to 60 minutes to Portland. I both love my rural wooded home and absolutely love the creative dense environment of Portland. What I deeply wish for is the transformation of our Washington County cities. Because I drive far regardless of where I go, I often head to Portland for my urban experiences because of the quality of the environment - the collection of stores, events, opportunities, architecture, community, etc. Just try to find a hip vegetarian restaurant in Washington County - perhaps they are out there but they sure are hiding.

The cities of Beaverton and Hillsboro seem to have been subsumed by mall culture and design. Let's not even mention Aurora (a nightmare I try to avoid at all costs). I love that the historic city of Hilsboro is making a comeback but to be honest, how do you compete with the streets of Tannisbourne. Even I spend much of my shopping time at Tannisbourne because I know where to go for what I need. Downtown Hillsboro still does not compare to Portland so my current choices are Tannisbourne for effecient shopping and Portland for the urban experience.

Let's advocate for high level of design standards and start REBUILDING our such poorly designed suburban communities. Orenco Station is a shining light in Hillsboro - easy bike access, a friendly accessable comminty, thoughtful creative design both residential and commercial.  I admit to driving there just to walk around the beautiful streets filled with vintage style bungalos. It's fantastic.

Preserve the unique, beautiful and highly valuable rural communities and get busy redeveloping the strangled, poorly designed current suburban sprawl.

Redesign, redevelopment, that is my vote. Thank you so much for talking Washington County.

posted 3 years, 5 months ago
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