About the City of Washougal
Background
• Established in 1880 - Washougal is platted from property of the Richard Ough Donation Land Claim by J.E. Durgan and Captain Love.
• 1890 - Prune Orchards create cash crop for the community.
• 1908 - The city is incorporated as the City of Washougal (Rushing Waters).
• 1910 - Bishop Family purchases Columbia Woolen Mills becomes Pendleton Woolen Mills.
• 1924 - Washougal Women's Club organizes library.
• 1936 - Mr. Hathaway builds office for Dr. Stephens and Eldridge.
• 1943 - The city takes over operation of library.
• 1941-45 - WWII industries of woolen fabrics and paper support the war efforts.
• 1976 - New city hall is built including library and community center.
• 1997 - The city takes over Dr. Eldridge's office for Social Services Building.
• 1998 - Sewer Treatment Plant is expanded to accommodate projected growth; ultraviolet process installed to treat effluent before discharge into the Columbia River to protect the fish.
• 2000 - "Reflections Park" is dedicated as a downtown park at B and 16th Street.
• 2002 - City Council approves Downtown Revitalization Plan.
• 2003 - The city approves the new "Captain William Clark Park at Cottonwood Beach".
• 2006 - The opening "Captain William Clark Park at Cottonwood Beach" with a multi-jurisdictional effort celebrating the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial.
• 2007 - The Completion of phase 1 of the Washougal Downtown Revitalization Project.
Growth And Development
The current population of the City of Washougal is 13,880 as of April 1, 2008. The projected 2024 population is approximately 26,000. The Comprehensive Plan -and updated Capital Facilities Plans are designed to accommodate the projected population.
Twenty annexations since 1995 have taken place, consisting of 1, 741 acres of land, all within the city's Urban Growth Area.
As of December 2003, 2070 lots have been approved or are conditionally approved for residential development in the city since the base year of 1994.
Average land costs for homes ranges from $40,000 to $90,000 with view lots of the Columbia River in the $135,000 range. These are urban residential lots from 7,000 to 10,000 square feet in the area. The median price of a home in Washougal is $354,808 per CNN money.
Community Assets
Police Station: The city's new 7000 square foot police station was dedicated January 24, 2004. The station was built upon the passage of a public safety bond by the citizens of Washougal.
Schools: Schools were refurbished throughout the Washougal School District and a new middle school constructed at Cape-Horn Skye in the Columbia River Gorge. The city and the School District constructed soccer and baseball fields at Evergreen Way and Sunset View Road with the district's new Administration Building. The school district provides the property while the city constructs the fields.
Water: A new clarifier is being designed for the Wastewater Treatment Plant and a new well is being sited to provide additional potable water for the city.
Columbia River: An 80 acre lineal Columbia River regional park called "Captain William Clark Park at Cottonwood Beach" has recently been approved by the City's Hearings Examiner. Building permits are expected soon for the landward construction of the park features, which includes interpretive features emulating the encampment of the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery expedition of its six days in 1806 on its return trip to Missouri. The encampment was for the purpose of provisioning salmon and dried meats for the return trip and exploring the Washougal River and its tributaries.
Library: The Washougal Library and community center is located within the City Hall complex, employing librarians who have received the ALTRUSA International Library Service Award for 2002.
Parks: The city has nine neighborhood and community parks of which three are situated on the Washougal River and one on the Columbia River destined to be a portion of "Captain William Clark Park at Cottonwood Beach". Two of the parks acquired through the "Conservation Futures Program" constitutes 30 acres in total and are to be developed as a neighborhood park space to protect natural features of the two sites.
Wildlife Refuge: Abutting the City of Washougal is the 900 acre Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. As a portion of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed an interpretive Gateway Center for visitors and an interpretive trail. When taken together the refuge and Captain William Clark Park will connect as natural resources for visitors throughout the metropolitan area and the Gorge Scenic Area. The Wildlife Service estimates 100,000 to 150,000 visitors will visit the Steigerwald Lake Gateway Center in a year's time.
Commercial Development: The City of Washougal focused on three areas for commercial development: B Street between 15th and 32nd Streets; from Camas City limits on the west along E Street; and Evergreen Market Place at Evergreen Way and 32nd Street. The Evergreen Marketplace is 130,000 square foot and anchored by Safeway, Longs Drugs, and Bi-Mart. The primary regional shopping area is located at the Pendleton Woolen Mills outlet store at 16th and A Streets. Visitors travel from the metropolitan area and out-of-state to shop here and tour buses are a frequent sight. It is anticipated that another 265,000 square feet of commercial space could be added by the year 2020.
Market Area: The City of Washougal extends in a one, three, and five mile arc centered on downtown. As of 2000, there were more than 2, 360 households within a one-mile radius of downtown, 5,360 households within three miles and 9,960 households within five miles. At an average household size of 2.43 people there were 5,734 people within a one mile radius. It is projected that another 5,550 households will be within the 1 to 5 mile market area arc in twenty years. Assuming a similar household size of 2.43, another 13, 486 residents can be expected by 2020. Therefore, the market area is projected to include 37,688 people by 2020.
Industry: Primary industrial activities and land are located in the Port of Camas/Washougal Industrial Park. Thirty-four businesses are located here with an employment base of 1000 employees and a combined payroll of $30,000,000. With another 150 acres available for future development the Port of Camas/Washougal can employ as many as 1600 people. The Port has a goal of attracting businesses that will have 6 employees per acre. Currently, there are four employees per acre at the industrial park. Recent land sales indicate a sale price range from $2.57 to $3.21 per square foot or a range of $111,949 to $139,827 per acre. The average is $127,194 per acre.
Transportation: The City of Washougal is within a 20-minute drive from Portland International Airport. City streets function at acceptable levels of service. Lewis and Clark Highway (SR-14) is considered the major east-west connecting corridor in the Columbia River Gorge. Slated for 2005 is the modification of the intersection of 32nd Street and the Lewis and Clark Highway by the State Department of Transportation. There are 15,000 average eastbound daily vehicle trips from Lewis and Clark Highway and 15th Street and 18,000 vehicle trips west-bound to 15th Street and Lewis and Clark Highway. The 15th Street intersection with Lewis and Clark Highway is characterized as the primary connecting route into the downtown core area while 32nd Street is the primary connector to the Industrial Park.
Woodlands: Recently the Department of Natural Resources announced its intent to acquire and designate an Oregon White Oak Woodland as a special area to be preserved. The location of this woodland is adjacent to the Steigerwald Lake Wildlife Refuge on both sides of the Lewis and Clark Highway (SR-14). Various flora and fauna of endangered and threatened species inhabit the woodlands and are a priority for preservation. Thus, this part of the Gorge exhibits natural features and characteristics near to and adjacent to Washougal that form self-directed ecotourism opportunities. It is noted that the Georgia Pacific/AWPPW Local 5 has published "A Checklist of Birds of Clark County", highlighting the species of birds that include those that are likely to be seen in the Washougal area.
Activities: Each year boaters and fishermen attend the Bass Fishing Derby in April and the Walleye Fishing Derby in August. These events are held by the Port of Camas/Washougal, which also sponsors ceremonies for the opening and closing of boating season, every April and October. Similarly, the two yacht clubs participate with open houses each year other yacht clubs are invited to attend and moor at the marina. The port also sponsors the community concert series in August at Heritage Park at the marina.