|
|||||||||||||
|
Past News December, 2004 What’s new at Cogan Owens Cogan? Plenty! Where do we begin? There are so many exciting things happening at Cogan Owens Cogan (COC) that we want to share with you. It certainly has been a busy and productive year so far with promises of more to come. Our colleagues and friends tell us they like this condensed approach to keeping up, so we will try to give you the highlights once again. Of course, you are always welcome to call us for more. New addition—Even before he graduated last June from Portland State University with a master’s degree in urban planning, we had recruited Steve Faust, one of the best and brightest of an outstanding class, according to his professors and others who know him. At COC, Steve has proven to be a quick study, very willing and able to take on a variety of tasks to help keep our projects on track. Sustainability—As founder and co-chair of the City of Portland-Multnomah County Sustainable Development Commission, Bob Wise was one of the first to recognize the long-term value and necessity of using, developing and protecting our resources wisely for ourselves and future generations. A recent report, written under his direction and on Multnomah County’s Web site, summarizes the impressive efforts of the county in regard to transportation, energy conservation, recycling, water quality and other vital community issues. A senior COC associate, Bob is a popular speaker and resource on these issues. Governance—What are the future options for the nearly 40,000 people in the largest unincorporated area of Clackamas County? Do they want to stay the same, receiving county services without a direct voice in civic matters that affect them? Annex to a nearby city (if it would have them)? Form a new city? These are the issues COC principals Kirstin Greene, Elaine Cogan and Matt Hastie, with Steve’s help, explored with the citizens of urbanizing Oak Grove, Jennings Lodge and North Clackamas County. With the able assistance of pollsters Riley Research Associates and finance consultant Ray Bartlett, we developed several models and the associated costs to help the citizens make these crucial recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners. Planning—One hundred copies of a 317-page draft comprehensive plan for the Kenai Peninsula Borough in Alaska were shipped to our client recently. The draft represented a massive effort led by Matt and assisted ably by Crystal Jackson, Amoree Lovell, Jennifer McReynolds, Damian Pitt and Suzanne Roberts. Matt and Suzanne were in Alaska once again for three weeks to conduct twelve community meetings in that widely-spread land. On a national scale, Managing Principal Arnold Cogan has been retained by the Coastal States Organization on behalf of NOAA (the federal National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) to design and facilitate a conference in Washington D.C. on land use and growth management in the coastal zone of the United States. One of the primary themes is how the 25 coastal states and territories can incorporate “Smart Growth” concepts into their planning programs, policies and decision-making. Communications—As many of you are aware, we at COC are widely known for our innovative and successful approaches to giving information to citizens and receiving feedback. Web sites and e-mail are now essential tools when we work with people on community issues. Our creative Web designer, Crystal Jackson, develops very attractive sites for many of our projects that are useful in communicating information to interested citizens. In fact, thanks to Crystal and Damian, who is fluent in the language, some parts of our Web site (www.coganowens. com) are now in Spanish. Water, water. . . everywhere—The primary projects which Principal Jim Owens currently manages involve this precious resource in different ways. Jim is in charge of the $2.4 million effort in Oregon for the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, overseeing planning for 21 sub-basins in the Columbia River system. He also is managing the requisite environmental studies for the development of Cape Disappointment State Park in Ilwaco, Washington, where Lewis and Clark first viewed the Columbia. The culmination of this work will coincide with the celebration in 2005 of the bicentennial of their exploration. Controversy? What controversy?—To the surprise of many, hundreds of citizens of the small southern Oregon town of Central Point engaged in a civil discussion of a contentious matter: the application of Wal-Mart to build a superstore in their community. Elaine designed and facilitated a public forum which gave people ample, non-rancorous opportunities to discuss the major issues that concerned them. One of the many innovative approaches in this effort was the recruitment and training of senior students from Crater High School as discussion leaders. Spreading the word—What is “Smart Growth”? How can it be translated into terms the people of Oregon understand and will want to apply wisely in their communities? This is the two-year challenge Kirstin and her team of specialists were just given by ODOT’s Transportation and Growth Management Program. We are eager to get started developing the many non-technical approaches to this vital subject. Kirstin, Steve and Elaine also are writing and producing a guidebook on economic development planning for the DLCD, Oregon’s Department of Land Conservation and Development. With Jennifer’s graphic design capabilities, we are producing an attractive, user-friendly handbook for local planners and others. How time flies—Jim is just getting started heading an effort to update the Asset Management Plan for the Oregon Department of State Lands. After writing the original plan ten years ago, we are eager to take on the challenge once again of helping the State realize revenues for its land assets in the 21st century. There is more - Check www.coganowens.com for the latest on COC projects and personalities. We wish you a happy and satisfying new year! Please keep in touch. Past News:
January, 2006 Awards | Publications | News |
|||||||||||||
