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January, 2006 In 30 years of consulting, Cogan Owens Cogan has never enjoyed as broad a reach, in depth or in breadth. From China to Alaska, the Oregon and Washington coasts, Idaho and closer to home, our projects keep us and our clients very busy. We know you are very busy, too, but we hope you have time for this overview. Planning in Alaska takes on a different flavor when one has to reach small communities by boat and small plane, but Matt Hastie knows no fear. He and Suzanne Roberts recently completed updating the comprehensive plan for the Kenai Peninsula Borough. Matt and Damian Pitt are just getting started on a similar effort for the Kodiak Island Borough. (For those of us in the lower 48, boroughs are the Alaskan equivalent of counties.) As we are all well aware, China is no longer a sleeping giant. Our Team Oregon consortium is working on a sustainable development project for Portland’s sister city of Suzhou after having completed sustainable development guidelines for Taiwan. We were recently recognized for our efforts in a comprehensive article in The Oregonian. A bonus for Jim Owens, as he prepared the environmental documentation and permits for the long-range master plan and first phase of implementation for Cape Disappointment State Park, was getting acquainted with internationally renowned Maya Lin. Jim is especially excited to see the construction beginning on the ambitious plan, including her artwork. Here on the Oregon Coast, Kirstin Greene is managing a project that will result in new design standards for commercial areas in Lincoln City. At the same time, she and a technical staff are designing a methodology to document and measure the effects of state land use policies on the state’s entire Coast. The Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) considers this a landmark project that will have many practical uses. Elsewhere on the coast, Matt and Steve Faust are updating plans for housing, land use, the economy, parks and waterfront development for the City of Garibaldi. A healthy coast is not only a concern in the Pacific Northwest. Arnold Cogan designed and managed a workshop in Washington, D.C. where coastal and estuarine managers from throughout the country developed strategies to create vital communities and healthy ecosystems. Elaine Cogan assisted him in this effort, which resulted in a well-received “smart growth” management action plan. Kirstin and Elaine are still hard at work in Clackamas County where progress continues on Completing Connections, a project that just won its third national award—this time from NACo, the National Association of Counties. They and interested citizens are devoting many hours to the new concept of hamlets and villages, innovative ways residents in unincorporated areas of the county can have more influence over matters that affect them. Strategic planning is a subject that always interests us. This year, Jim and Elaine worked closely with the board and staff of the Oregon Community Foundation to craft a five-year plan that continues and enhances their leadership in the philanthropic community. Early in 2006, we will embark on a similar effort for MERC, the Metropolitan Exposition and Recreation Commission. In the how-can-they-do-it category: Kirstin finds time to be a member of the board of governors and chair of the advocacy and awareness committee for the Portland City Club; Matt is president-elect of WTS; Jim is an Oregon Environmental Council board member; and Bob Wise is a new mayoral appointee to the City of Portland’s International Sustainable Development Working Group. Well, it’s probably time for you to go back to your busy lives though we haven’t told you about our work on a proposed casino in the Columbia Gorge, comprehensive planning in Ada County, Idaho, or citizen outreach, facilitation, park planning, housing and economic studies and mediation throughout the region and beyond. There’s also Liberty Plaza, a new, mini-community park in downtown Oregon City we are proud of, and much more. Please keep in touch and have a happy and satisfying 2006! Past News:
January, 2006 Awards | Publications | News |
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