This is Floyd Wynne with THE VIEW FROM HERE.

The growth of a community can be bad as well as good.

Some time ago estimated figures were released on the various cities in the state. For instance Bend was listed over 70,000 Medford about the same and Klamath Falls was just about at the bottom of the list.

I can remember when I first came to Klamath falls back in 1948 it was a bustling community of around 16 or 17 thousand people. It was listed as the fourth most populous city in the state, behind Portland, Eugene and Salem. Of course that was before the construction of I-5 which diverted a lot of the growth in that direction.

Still checking it out today Bend….on the 97 highway is well over 70,000 and growing as is Medford.

One rightfully has to ask what has held Klamath Falls back? We have all that business or industry needs. We have an excellent highway running from North to South….we have a rail line that span the region…..we have an excellent airport that is more than big enough to handle anything.

We have the third largest lake west of the Mississippi….and we have an excellent climate that includes at least 300 days of complete and partial sunshine. That alone would seem to make us a very desirable place for business or industry to locate…..right?

Well…..growth isn’t always good. Take a look at places like Bend where they finally had to build a bypass in their business district…..and Medford where traffic congestion is a near nightmare.

Compare that with Klamath Falls. Over the years a transportation system has developed that can take you anywhere in the community in just a few minutes. We have the West Side bypass, the East side or Crater Lake Parkway….and we have the southside bypass.

And when it comes to industry we are thriving, despite the environmentalists. We have lumbering firms like Jeld Wen, Columbia Plywood, Collins Products, and even a co=gen plant among others. We are well prepared to handle the other needs of a growing population such as a refurbished and beautiful Sky Lakes hospital, an ever expanding Oregon Technical Institute, a strong County work force as well as a force of city workers.

What then do we need. The days of big industries locating have vanished for the time being as have large businesses. We have a busy downtown, something hard to find in either Bend or Medford.

We have just about all the Mart stores…..Wal-Mart, K-Mart and Bi-Mart and a number of new shopping centers popping up.

We are ready for any kind of growth….particularly people growth which we are seeing. There are several shortcomings we must take care of. Primarily some manner must be found to combine the city and suburban areas into one community. I know….countless efforts have been made….all in vain. In my opinion about he only manner in which this can be accomplished is by dissolving the city of Klamath Falls and then uniting the entire area into one carefully and thoughtfully planned community

That may have to wait for the future, but in the meantime know that we do have a carefully planned format for growth known as the Urban Growth boundary among other features. Also that we have thus far managed to avoid the troubles that growth has brought to a number of other communities.

Yes growth can be ugly, but it can be good if you are prepared for it...and we are!

This is Floyd Wynne and that’s THE VIEW FROM HERE.

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Text Box:   This is Floyd Wynne with THE VIEW FROM HERE. The growth of a community can be bad as well as good. Some time ago estimated figures were released on the various cities in the state. For instance Bend was listed over 70,000 Medford about the same and Klamath Falls was just about at the bottom of the list. I can remember when I first came to Klamath falls back in 1948 it was a bustling community of around 16 or 17 thousand people. It was listed as the fourth most populous city in the state, behind Portland, Eugene and Salem. Of course that was before the construction of I-5 which diverted a lot of the growth in that direction. Still checking it out today Bend….on the 97 highway is well over 70,000 and growing as is Medford. One rightfully has to ask what has held Klamath Falls back? We have all that business or industry needs. We have an excellent highway running from North to South….we have a rail line that span the region…..we have an excellent airport that is more than big enough to handle anything. We have the third largest lake west of the Mississippi….and we have an excellent climate that includes at least 300 days of complete and partial sunshine. That alone would seem to make us a very desirable place for business or industry to locate…..right? Well…..growth isn’t always good. Take a look at places like Bend where they finally had to build a bypass in their business district…..and Medford where traffic congestion is a near nightmare. Compare that with Klamath Falls. Over the years a transportation system has developed that can take you anywhere in the community in just a few minutes. We have the West Side bypass, the East side or Crater Lake Parkway….and we have the southside bypass. And when it comes to industry we are thriving, despite the environmentalists. We have lumbering firms like Jeld Wen, Columbia Plywood, Collins Products, and even a co=gen plant among others. We are well prepared to handle the other needs of a growing population such as a refurbished and beautiful Sky Lakes hospital, an ever expanding Oregon Technical Institute, a strong County work force as well as a force of city workers. What then do we need. The days of big industries locating have vanished for the time being as have large businesses. We have a busy downtown, something hard to find in either Bend or Medford. We have just about all the Mart stores…..Wal-Mart, K-Mart and Bi-Mart and a number of new shopping centers popping up. We are ready for any kind of growth….particularly people growth which we are seeing. There are several shortcomings we must take care of. Primarily some manner must be found to combine the city and suburban areas into one community. I know….countless efforts have been made….all in vain. In my opinion about he only manner in which this can be accomplished is by dissolving the city of Klamath Falls and then uniting the entire area into one carefully and thoughtfully planned community That may have to wait for the future, but in the meantime know that we do have a carefully planned format for growth known as the Urban Growth boundary among other features. Also that we have thus far managed to avoid the troubles that growth has brought to a number of other communities. Yes growth can be ugly, but it can be good if you are prepared for it...and we are! This is Floyd Wynne and that’s THE VIEW FROM HERE.      

Text Box: 8/7/08