**78th Street Draft Concept Plan Update**

Seems like the folks over at the County are indeed going to make a live appearance tomorrow evening at the Public Service Center information display for the 78th Street Draft Concept proposal. I know it's not much notice, but I guess we've all come to expect this sort of thing. Here's the note I just got from an "anonymous" individual here at CCF&F.

On August 13th from 5-7pm the Public Service Building will be open with staff there to answer questions about the three concepts.

Clark County Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., Vancouver

Wish I could go, but I'm going to see rock star farmer, and agricultural pioneer Joel Salatin tomorrow. I'm sure that my not being there won't break many hearts, but I hope YOU can make it out there. If you go, be sure to ask some good questions. Let 'em know that you're not too keen on the idea of spending the money on developing a bunch of infrastructure until they figure out just how the agricultural land will be used at the site and that you're in favor of Concept I until they get a better plan for ag in place. Also, ask them if they realize that the best land available at the site for use for four season crop production is being proposed as an area of expansion for Hazel Dell Park.

Draft Concept Plans for 78th Street Now Online

This just in:

What do you do with 79 acres of property that could honor the county’s rich agricultural past and provide a regional hub for farming, agricultural research, community education, historic interpretation and recreation?

The public is invited to review and provide feedback on three draft 78th Street/WSU property concept plans. Comments will be collected until August 21. The draft concept plans may be viewed and comments submitted online at the County's 78th Street web page.

Beginning August 7 and continuing through August 21, display materials and comment forms will be available in the first floor lobby at the Clark County Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., Vancouver. Information will also be available on the 6th floor of the Public Service Center, General Services/Purchasing, suite 650, until August 21, and at the Clark County Fair from August 7 through August 16.

The three draft concept plans were developed through an extensive public outreach process. Some ideas include establishing a demonstration farm, outdoor classrooms, community gardens, and interpretive walking trail.

Let me just throw my hat in the ring by saying if I had to pick one right now, it would be Plan I. I'm sure that through the County's extensive public outreach process they'll soon address many of the questions I see left unanswered by their very pretty, yet rather vague information displays. Maybe I'll feel differently about it if they do. I'll have more to say about this soon...

Also worth noting, the display materials and public comment forms at the Public Services Building are only accessible during normal business hours. Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm. So much for seeing the information after work or on the weekend. I would think extensive public outreach would allow for more convenient access to the information, no?