White Salmon, WA A neighborhood Study by Kate Samson NRES 598

One hour east of Portland, OR, on the Washington side of the Columbia River.

Natural beauty abounds!

2.2 square mile town is predominantly grid system, no cul-de-sacs but some partial grid due to parks and dead-ends.

Predominantly single-family detached homes

Various ages and locations of homes dictate garage/street parking

There is a summertime farmer’s market, grocery store, library, gym, hardware store, pharmacy, social services, community laundry, state services building, police and fire stations, park center with pool, tennis courts, basketball courts and city park, grange hall, banks and churches. Also a bike park and yoga studio.

Three cafes, 4 restaurants/pub/bars, a flower shop, 3 local artisan shops, a music shop and an Inn.

A community center (a safe place for kids after school besides the library), 2 pre-schools, a Montessori and bilingual, an elementary, middle and high school.

The neighborhood is mostly similar in that many houses right in downtown are a little older with unique characteristics and colors. At the edges of town the houses are newer, and some of these look very manufactured and similar if the area of town is not as desirable, and some houses are amazingly expensive and beautiful.

Even though this place looks rough, it adds a little diversity to our town and serves many of the same purposes as a modern cul-de-sac, while being far more affordable and within city limits.

Many homes have a covered porch because of winter snow, and they serve as mudrooms, storage sheds and recycling containers. Some people even sit in them and hang out.

Many yards are gorgeous, and a pleasure to walk by.

Estimated median household income in 2013: $39,251 Read more: http://www.city-data.com/city/White-Salmon-Washington.html#ixzz4KCJf64W9

Three main streets are wide and include crosswalks Three main streets are wide and include crosswalks. Most other streets are narrower with street parking. No streets have painted lines, stoplights, or even 4-way stops.

Big, quiet street with a basketball hoop set up

Finite view- corners and hills

The town of Hood River, OR is across the Columbia River and one can not walk or ride a bicycle across the bridge. It is an ongoing complaint in our area, as many people cross the toll bridge daily.

For such a small area, there are far too many driving alone For such a small area, there are far too many driving alone! A regular transportation service has been frequently suggested by residents, but is not financially supported.

Loves being in a small town where she knows people and can personally do something about things in town, like clean up the ballfield. She likes living out of town, where they have privacy and a wind turbine. She believes it is a great place to live, but like many others, hopes that not too many more people will move here soon.

He loves the small town life and the progressive minded nature of some of the community. He has had to work with those that would like to stay within traditional building codes and believes it is time to update our policies, as a society. He is happy to be able to walk to the places he needs to go and to feel like a member of a community.

Additional considerations: Historic significance/sense of place/identity

Cottage developments: New concepts that blend cul-de-sac lifestyle, environmental awareness and grid-street inclusiveness.

Comes in three sizes, to include single people, young families and seniors. Utilizes shared spaces rather than separate. The cons? I could hear a phone conversation in the house next door when the windows were open. Still, a viable option!