Thank you for your interest in reading The Astorian. Here are a few stories that you might have missed this week:

•••

Updated design concepts for the Astoria Library renovation were unveiled this week and are expected to go before the City Council for review on Monday.

The $10.7 million renovation of the 56-year-old library on 10th Street will be financed by an $8 million bond measure overwhelmingly approved by voters in November 2022.

Hennebery Eddy Architects, the Portland-based firm that was hired in 2017 to create the concept, updated design plans based on focus group meetings and public feedback received in September.

See the story by Nicole Bales by clicking here.

•••

During a community discussion on Tuesday night about two major projects before the city, the Cannon Beach City Council heard criticism about the price tag and scale of the projects, particularly the redevelopment of the former elementary school and NeCus’ Park site.

In November, the council unanimously approved design concepts for a new City Hall and police station. Estimated at $25 million, the City Hall would be rebuilt over the existing location on E. Gower Avenue downtown, and a new police station would be constructed at the city’s Tolovana cache site east of U.S. Highway 101.

A $12 million design plan to transform the former elementary school into a destination honoring tribal heritage was rejected by the Design Review Board in October. The City Council is expected to hold a hearing on the city’s appeal of the decision on Tuesday.

While the City Council has remained steadfast in seeing the projects through after months of community engagement, the plans have also been met with strong opposition.

Read the story by Nicole Bales by clicking here.

•••

The developers behind the Fort Pointe housing project are eyeing a new kind of development in the city: high-end resorts for recreational vehicles at the Warrenton and Hammond marinas.

Mark Tolley, from Mission Development Group in San Antonio, Texas, presented his vision to the City Commission on Tuesday night, following a recommendation from the Marina Advisory Committee that the commission review the proposal. The commission voted unanimously to accept the committee’s recommendation and explore the project.

Tolley referred to the marinas as “underutilized city assets” and explained that the project is aimed at best utilizing the land and generating income for the city. Although Mission Development Group typically focuses on housing developments, Tolley noted that RV resorts are better-suited to these parcels because of restrictions on use.

“For us, with our experience, this is an ideal opportunity to introduce a use here that fits the various restrictions that we were confronted with, that at the same time will — under a public-private partnership with the city and our company — produce an income-producing asset for the city of Warrenton,” Tolley said.

Take a look at the report by Rebecca Norden-Bright by clicking here.

•••

We invite you to help sustain local journalism on the North Coast. Please consider subscribing. We have several options available at: www.dailyastorian.com/subscribe-now/

— Derrick DePledge