Vancouver resident Jim McConnell shares his thoughts on planning committee’s assessment of McGillivray Blvd.
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and do not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com
My wife and I fell in love with McGillivray Blvd. when we moved to Vancouver 40 years ago. After becoming empty nesters, we found a wonderful home on the boulevard where we planned to spend the rest of our lives.
We enjoy the median, the two lanes of traffic each way, and watching the bikers, joggers, and cars all moving safely together.
I understand that the planning committee is considering a major transformation by making McGillivray one lane each way and eliminating parking on the boulevard. How will that affect those in the middle of large blocks? Where will friends park?
Many residents in Cascade Park use cars to get where they need to go. We travel to places the bus does not go. I often see 4 or 5 on a bus that could hold 50. Why? Because people can’t get to their destination by bus and if they could, it would take hours longer. Does the committee not value our time?
The planning committee held a meeting in our neighborhood in February. Every one of my neighbors with whom I spoke thought it was important to keep all four lanes of traffic on McGillivray.
Planners who don’t live in our beautifully planned neighborhood are forcing their vision and will on how we should live. Millions of our tax dollars will be spent to destroy one of the greatest assets of living in Cascade Park while greatly inconveniencing most residents if the changes above are made. Please do not ruin our neighborhood with these changes.
Jim McConnell
Vancouver
Also read:
- Opinion: An unacceptable tax burden
Nancy Churchill outlines new tax proposals in Washington state, warning of growing burdens on working families amid budget shortfalls and government overspending. - POLL: Is it time for new leadership at Vancouver City Hall?A new weekly poll asks whether Vancouver voters should prioritize replacing the mayor and city council in the 2025 election.
- Opinion: How will the majority party’s new budget and tax proposals affect you?Rep. John Ley critiques the state’s proposed 2025-27 budgets, warning of record-breaking tax hikes and economic impacts.
- Opinion: Washington’s EV sales far short of next year’s state mandate
Todd Myers highlights how Washington’s EV sales fall short of next year’s mandate, raising concerns over rising car prices and limited options. - Letter: ‘Our state and local governments need to learn to live within their means’Camas resident Lauren Colas voices strong opposition to Proposition 1 and other tax proposals, calling for state and local governments to rein in spending.
I too notice how few riders there are on the 40′ CTRAN buses, running mostly empty much of the time it seems. An older lady I met who lived in Cascade Park explained that she used to take the bus, when there was a bus-stop a few blocks from her house. They closed that bus stop and moved it to Mill Plain, many blocks away, so she stopped using the bus.
Indeed, the street parking on McGillivray is key to all those who live on the boulevard, for moving in and out, any deliveries, visitors, contractors who come to work on a home or yard etc. I hope you can circulate a petition to let planners and decision makers know about what adverse impacts the planners vision for your neighborhood would bring.