City officials recently reviewed results from a survey conducted starting in February to better understand community priorities during a Friday, March 21 City Council retreat.
A total of 405 residents participated, identifying roads as the top concern, followed by economic development and amenities. Recalling the council’s review of the city feedback, Battle Ground Mayor Troy McCoy was not surprised to learn that road safety remains an ongoing issue for residents.
McCoy noted several responses cited frustration that there was no walking pathway on the east side of Southwest 20th Avenue. The project, approved in 2021, was delayed from a 2024 completion timeline but is expected to be completed this summer.
“We were ahead of the survey on that, I think,” McCoy said. “But obviously, the survey definitely reiterated how important the safety on that road is.”
Economic development was another key focus, with residents wanting to see more businesses and job opportunities. City Manager Kris Swanson noted that the results varied from residents asking for infrastructure to attract businesses, to residents upset with the growth rate in their small town.
“That’s not something the city can necessarily control, and so I categorized it as growing pains,” City Manager Kris Swanson said.
One element the city can control is its revitalization plan for Old Town Battle Ground on Main Street in the city’s east. A report will be published in late April or early May, with the design and engineering phase following. Goals include enhancing the atmosphere, improving infrastructure, parking and traffic.
Amenities ranked third among residents’ concerns, with many expressing interest in additional recreational facilities. One of the most surprising findings, according to McCoy, was the number of residents willing to support a bond to fund a community pool.
“I was surprised that citizens were willing to pay for it,” McCoy said. “I’m really hesitant to ever have the city own a pool, so we need some sort of partner. You know, 10 years down the road, if you have a budget cut, the first thing you cut is maintenance… You don’t want to cut maintenance on a pool.”
McCoy is skeptical that residents would be willing to fund a pool through a bond or levy.
“I don’t know what that looks like, but that’s something [each] councilor has to decide if they’re willing to do that, and they want to do that,” McCoy said.
An in-depth discussion of the survey results will occur at a 6 p.m. study session on Monday, April 21, at Battle Ground City Hall.
