Previous Reports from 2007

An Excellent Year in 2006!

As a community, we have enjoyed many successes. You might say that Beaverton’s cup is always half-full and 2006 was certainly no exception. We have been recognized as a national leader in multiple areas and also a very livable community. This issue of Your City is our annual recap of City-related events and activities.

Mid-year, Money magazine recognized Beaverton as one of the top-100 most livable cities in the United States. Several dozen measures were utilized by the magazine to establish our ranking and strongly acknowledge the entire community when rating against others in the national survey. Our overall quality of life is recognized by Money magazine in the high quality of our schools, library facilities, strength of employment opportunities, quality of public safety and other important factors.

Our high level of public safety continues to be a strong point contributing to our overall livability. The annual Morgan Quitno Press “Safest Cities Award” again ranks us the second safest mid and large sized city in the northwest. Our overall crime rate dropped 4.1 percent through September of 2006 (most current data available at the time this publication was produced). Beaverton also received the Motorola Webber Seavey Award for Quality in Law Enforcement from the International Association Chiefs of Police (IACP). The award is given to only three agencies each year whose work “exemplifies law enforcement’s most innovative, successful contributions to the quality of life in our communities.” No other city in the United States received the Seavey Award this year—the other two recipients were from Canada and India.

Voters approved several ballot measures that have a direct impact on our overall quality of life in Beaverton. Most important to the City, the Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS) Levy passed countywide, providing us a 4-year funding increase for library staffing, book acquisition and programs. Effective in January, the City Council has approved restoring some hours of service that were reduced when the two previous funding levies were rejected by voters. Capital funding measures for the Beaverton School District (mainly for new buildings, site improvements and property acquisition) and Tualatin Valley Fire &Rescue (new fire stations, upgrades, property acquisition and equipment) were approved by voters. In addition, the Washington County Public Safety Measure and Metro’s Greenspaces acquisition program were approved by voters. The County measure will ensure that public safety services countywide are increased and the Metro measure will purchase additional natural habitat for public preservation and use. In a growing county, these additional services are necessary to help maintain our high quality of life.

Washington County Commuter Rail, which begins in Beaverton and goes to Wilsonville, has received full funding from the federal government and has formally begun construction this past year. The train will serve commuter rail traffic between the two cities during the peak morning and evening commute hours. It is expected to be completed and operating in late 2008.

The City, along with our regional government Metro, last year purchased the former Westgate Theater property adjacent to the Westside Light Rail in downtown Beaverton. The goal is to facilitate further redevelopment of our downtown core. This year, the City will sell the property to a private developer (including recouping our investment in the property) and oversee a design process for the 5-acre parcel. The new project is expected to have many of the same urban design elements similar to The Round development next door.

I expect 2007 to have similar opportunities and challenges. Ours is a community that continues to evolve and develop. Each day is interesting and exciting. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you!

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