City Info Weekly - 2010/07/28

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Thank you, Senator Murray!

The City of Longview has learned that it is in line to receive $1 million for a downtown revitalization project, and $650,000 for two hybrid transit buses.  The funds, championed by the work of U.S. Senator Patty Murray, come from a Fiscal Year 2011 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations bill.  Murray included the funding in the bill to boost Southwest Washington transportation and economic development.  The funding will create construction jobs that support community projects, make critical road safety improvements, and improve access to local transit.

The City of Longview will receive $1 million in funding to support design, engineering and construction of street, sidewalk, lighting and other pedestrian friendly improvements in downtown Longview.  This assistance to downtown revitalization efforts will help encourage private investment and job growth in Longview’s downtown economic core. 

The $650,000 that the City will be receiving is earmarked for purchasing two hybrid transit buses which will expand routes and offer more frequent bus services. With the additional buses, transit service will be expanded and ridership will increase on both the fixed routes and the paratransit service.  Adding transit capacity will relieve congestion by giving commuters and residents greater travel choices, and will improve the ability of low-income residents to find and retain employment and keep scheduled appointments. The City will purchase hybrid buses in an effort to reduce the carbon footprint created by the expanding transit fleet. 

More information: Read the entire press release on our News & Events page.

Summer Concerts at the Lake

See the Ted Vigil Band on Thursday, July 29 at 6 .m. in the Martins Dock and Hemlock Plaza area of Lake Sacajawea Park.  The band features John Denver tribute music and other American folk tunes. The most heard comment at the shows are, “I can’t believe how much he looks and sounds like John Denver, it really took us back!” This family concert is free, and food is available. Concerts are sponsored by Kirkpatrick Family Care, Red Canoe, Cascade Networks, KLOG/KUKN and the City of Longview.

More information: Please call Longview Recreation at 442-5400 for more information, or visit us online at www.mylongview.com.

JH Kelly Mother Son Outdoor Adventure

Last chance for mothers and sons of all ages to register for this annual family event on Saturday, July 31 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Lake Sacajawea Park to experience and enjoy a variety of outdoor fun.  Activities include rock wall, archery, obstacle course, catapult, fishing, kayaking, pellet gun shooting, and wood crafts.  Don’t miss this fantastic event sponsored by JH Kelly for only $7.50 per person for those living in the Longview city limits, and $10 for nonresidents.

More information: To register or get more information please call Longview Recreation at 442-5400, or visit us online at www.mylongview.com.

Parking limit changes to three hours at the bus transfer lot

Per recommendations of the Downtown Advisory Committee, the City will be drafting an ordinance to change parking restrictions at the bus transfer lot in downtown Longview.  Currently, the lot consists of 30 parking spaces of which only six are leased.  The proposed changes will allow free, three-hour parking as well as permit parking.

More information: Please refer to the Longview City Council’s July 22 agenda item.

FREE FamilyWize Discount Prescription Cards available

Cowlitz County United Way is offering free FamilyWize Prescription Drug Discount Cards that enable users to receive discounted pricing on prescription drugs. It can offer immediate savings on prescription drugs at participating pharmacies for people who have no health insurance, during deductible periods, and for prescription medicine not covered by health insurance, Medicare, and other benefit plans. This is not insurance, nor is it intended to replace insurance.  The Prescription Drug Discount Card Program is a community service partnership between FamilyWize and Cowlitz County United Way. 

More information:  For further information about this program or to obtain a card, call the United Way at 423-5320, or visit www.familywize.org.

Contact Cowlitz County about noxious weeds

The City of Longview would like to remind residents that Cowlitz County has a noxious weed program that helps identify and reduce the establishment of noxious and invasive plants in our area.

More information: Please visit the County’s noxious week web page at http://www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/noxiousweeds/ or call 577-3117.

Council selects vendor for red-light camera project

Longview City Council has selected ATS as the vendor to carry out installation and maintenance of red light cameras.  Once contact terms have been negotiated, the contract will be brought back to council for approval.  The City will work with ATS to develop a business plan that will address speed thresholds in school zones, fine amounts, and more.

Council voted to establish a traffic enforcement camera pilot program this past April.  The ordinance provides for the installation of red-light cameras as four intersections maximum, and speed cameras in two school zones.  Camera ticket fines will go to a specially earmarked traffic safety fund.  Tickets for running a red light at these designated intersections will be $124.  Council will decide whether to keep the cameras or not once the 18-month pilot program ends.

More information: Contact the Public Works Department at 442-5200.

Questions about Longview programs or services?  Don’t forget to check with ASK Longview!