What a bright spot.
    The green patch at Hood River Waterfront Park stands out as one looks down the hill at the park.
    The sprayed-on seeds will turn to grass in coming weeks, as part of a series of park upgrades happening throughout the spring.

But it’s the overall transformation of the entire waterfront that’s the source of encouragement.

As reported on page A1, the riverside front porch of Hood River is about to enter a new phase of change, thanks to cooperation between the Port of Hood River, which owns the land (meaning the citizens of the county own it), the City of Hood River and others.

Hood River Port District Executive Director Michael McElwee uses the cooking pancakes analogy to describe the unfolding and overlapping construction projects that will begin in 2009.

A new commercial building, and street improvements to the newly named Anchor Way (formerly Industrial Way) are just the start. These will go far toward serving existing businesses, such as Hood River Juice Company and Hood River Distillers, who have invested in the project, as well as prospective employers who will bring needed jobs to the community.

Trees and streetlights, as well as better ramps at The Hook and a trail extending from the Event Site to The Hook are excellent amenities, as is the plan to reduce odors by capping the city sewer plant, located across the street from the new park.

Just a few years ago, it would have been hard to envision this type of progress at the waterfront. It seemed no one could agree on how to proceed. But in time, what developed was cooperation between the city and port, along with general support from the community for a mix of commercial and recreational uses. There is an acceptance that varied uses at the port can be seen as complementary, not competing. And it is beginning to show.

One-fell-swoop grand designs for the port came and went, successfully replaced by a spirit of sustaining the recreational and commercial assets that exist, while modestly providing the space and infrastructure for both things to happen.

Add to it the likelihood that a History Museum/Visitor Center building will be built near the entrance to the waterfront, and the community will see a balanced combination of economy and recreation that will make the area an enjoyable and profitable place for years to come.