Support Our CIP Proposal!
Dear BCSA Supporter,
The City of Corvallis is soliciting ideas for Capital Improvement Projects. The BCSA’s plan to expand the Eric Scott McKinley Skatepark (Corvallis Skatepark) must be placed on the Capital Improvement Project (CIP) list prior to gaining approval from the City of Corvallis. Please help us in our quest to expand and improve the Corvallis Skatepark by filling out the CIP form. The BCSA will be submitting a formal proposal to place Phase 1 and 2 of our plan on the CIP list on June 19, 2009. All we need from you is a statement that you support the “BCSA’s plan to expand and improve the Corvallis Skatepark”. Please feel free to add your suggestions for improvements you would like to see to the skatepark and surrounding areas on the CIP form. Please consider adding your name and contact information if you are interested in providing more input in the planning process. Fill out the form at the City of Corvallis website. Thank you for your support.
this is what i wrote:
A world class skatepark would not only benefit the riders of Corvallis in their healthy pursuit of skateboarding excellence, it would also bring in folks from out of town. Currently skateboarders from Corvallis frequently visit places like Harrisburg and Aumsville (to name just two examples) to skate their far superior facilities. Business owners in Harrisburg have noted an increase in skateboard tourism and the accompanying dollars.
Corvallis made a good first effort with the current skatepark but the fact is that the park is sub par in terms of quality of construction and design. We can and should do better. A quality skatepark will benefit the community by providing a sense of civic pride. Successful completion of the project will also strengthen the community by demonstrating, especially to the young people who use the park the most, the power of organizing by groups such as the BCSA.
when will we find out the council’s decision on this being funded through CIP?
We are not asking directly to be funded through the CIP process*. Getting the Skatepark expansion in the CIP program starts the process of gaining formal City approval to actually build and/or modify City property. Once we are on the list we can apply for grants as a formal City partner and it opens the door for the City to contribute staff time and money to the project if they choose too. Here is the response we got from the City Parks and Recreation Planner following the submittal of our proposal last Friday:
“The CIP decision process is quite lengthy. The first hurdle is to get approval from the Parks, Natural Areas, and Recreation Board. That will occur at their August meeting. In early November, the CIP Commission will review the projects. Their approval is a big hurdle. From there, it goes to the Budget Commission, Planning Commission and the City Council. That happens next June. Even though the process takes a long time, once it is approved by the CIP Commission, it has a very good chance of being approved by the other groups.
Thanks for the great and thorough proposal. Let me know if you need any more information.”
So the first hurdle will be getting approval from the Parks Board at there meeting in August. The meeting is open to the public and we will have a presentation so if you are interested in showing support or have questions please plan on coming to the meeting (August 20 at 6:30 pm at the down town fire station).
*The reason we are not asking directly for City funding is strategic and has to do with the fact that some citizens would see funding the Skatepark expansion as a poor use tax payer funds and they would be able to lobby the City not to approve the project. Not asking for City funds takes the main argument to deny the Skatepark expansion off the table.
Hi my name is AJ and what you guys are doing with the BCSA has inspired me to take charge and lead the City of Salem into building a new skate park. I understand its gonna be a lenghty proccess and its not gonna be easy, heres the link http://oregonskatersunite.ning.com/ spread the word and i’ll do the same for you. Its time to collaborate and get shit done.