More improvements slated for this year

Kelso, completed a couple of major projects in 2022, made progress on a couple of others and made some major decisions for future years.

The major completion was Phase III of Tam O’Shanter park improvements. This completes the significant project work. In total more than $3 million were spent to improve the park. With a full-sized baseball field and great stadium, three youth baseball fields, three softball fields, two tennis courts, an outdoor basketball court, horseshoe pits, a disc golf area, and plenty of open space and covered areas, Tam O’Shanter is one of the best parks in southwest Washington. But there is more to come with money budgeted for the softball field, disc golf improvements and pickleball courts.

Downtown street improvements on North Pacific Avenue, Oak Street, and 4th and 5th streets were the major street projects completed in 2022. Work also progressed on the Hazel Street overpass. Two major issues are holding up the process: height of the street lights on the overpass and location of a railroad signal.

The best news for the city in 2022 was the refurbishing of the Ranney water system. Completion of this project returned the system to near its normal capacity and allowed the City to stop taking Longview water. The system should be good for another three to five years.

The community center study, which was funded by a $250,000 state grant, has been completed and the results will be reviewed with the Council early in 2023.

The Council approved funding a Transportation Benefit District by approving a 0.1 percent sales tax increase. This should generate about $220,000 per year for street improvements.

Financially, Kelso ended the year in great shape. The budget approved for 2023-24 includes many items discussed in last month’s column, which will have a positive effect on the City in the next couple of years. As a reminder these items included, fully funding the police and library, spray park water recycle system, and improvements in various park and recreation facilities.

Longview Downtowners

Lindsey Cope President