Envision Ridgefield 2045, a project that will set the direction of how the city will plan for future growth, is just beginning. In a March 19 open house, Ridgefield’s City Council presented its annual “State of the City” video, which laid out current and future projects to accommodate massive growth expected in the coming years.
Expected growth
Under the Growth Management Act (GMA), Ridgefield and every city in Washington must prepare a comprehensive plan to accommodate housing and jobs projected by the state. The plan must be updated every 10 years and account for the next 20 years of growth. The current plan being developed will be finalized before December 2025 and account for growth projected by 2045.
Clark County currently projects Ridgefield to have 25,000 residents in 2045, 10,000 more than the current 15,000 counted in 2023. Roughly 10,000 additional jobs will be added in Ridgefield by 2045, as well, according to county estimates. Ridgefield Councilor Matt Cole said the city is working with new developers to overbuild the necessary infrastructure to accommodate for new residents and jobs.
“We’ve also outlined stringent design standards, ensuring the construction of high-quality homes and mandates for new subdivisions to allocate 25% of their land for parks and open spaces, in order to keep that connection to the natural environment that we love here,” Cole said.
Trails and parks
In Ridgefield’s State of the City, Councilor Clyde Burkle emphasized a focus on trails and pathways to connect parks and neighborhoods.
“Having accessible spaces designed for our kids, teens, adults, senior residents and pets to explore and play keeps our community rich and vibrant,” Burkle said.
Ridgefield is currently designing the Gee Creek Northbound Trail segment, which will connect the wildlife refuge, Abrams Park and downtown together. The city has completed a design for the Hillhurst multi-modal trail, which will connect neighborhoods to Ridgefield High School.
“In our new growth plan, we’re going to keep looking and keep asking you to find even more spaces where your family can play and connect to our natural environment,” Burkle said.
At the open house, Ridgefield Parks Manager Corey Crownhart told The Reflector that Boyse Park, a 9-acre park on North 32nd Avenue, will be shovel-ready by the end of the year.
“It’s a unique park because of its pump track,” Crownhart said. “It’s great to be able to share with the city what’s happening.”
A splash pad is currently under construction at Overlook Park on Main Street, with an expected 2024 opening. The city and Port of Ridgefield are working together to develop a master plan for a park located at Ridgefield’s waterfront.
Infrastructure
Ridgefield is currently working on improving transportation between Royle Road and Interstate 5. Pioneer Street will increase to a four-lane road from the I-5 interchange to the 56th Place roundabout to accommodate expected increases in traffic.
Councilor Lee Wells said several new roads are under development, including Pioneer Canyon Drive, which will connect the city’s future YMCA to the Costco under development. Construction for the roads are expected to be complete in late 2024.
“In 2024, the city has taken the lead on over $50 million worth of roads, storm and water service projects to connect people with the new neighborhoods and businesses like Costco and In-N-Out Burger,” Wells said.
Councilor Jennifer Lindsay said the new retail businesses will greatly support Ridgefield’s future projects to accommodate growth.
“When the Ridgefield Costco opens later this year, the money you and everyone else spends stays right here and supports our service needs,” Lindsay said.
Lindsay said the city estimates its initial investment this year will generate $700 million in private investments, $3.9 million in local sales tax and $295 million in economic output. She said nearly 2,000 new jobs will be created in the city by these projects.
Utilities
Public Works Director Chuck Green told The Reflector the city is looking for grants to fund several street-widening and water utility projects. He said the water pipes in downtown are between 60 and 70 years old and need to be replaced. Green expects roughly half of the pipes in downtown to be replaced in the next six years, with the rest replaced in the next 12.
Green said with residential growth will come a need for increased water supply. Ridgefield is working with Consor, an engineering firm, to design and construct a new reservoir by 2025-26. As the city builds more homes for residents, water utilities will be a major focus for Ridgefield.
“There’s great demand in the summer. We’ll have to use the eastside reservoir to increase supply,” Green said. “...You’ll see lots of [future] investments in water projects.”
Public safety
Councilor Judy Chipman said in the address the Ridgefield Police Department (RPD) hired four new officers last year to meet the public safety demand. RPD moved its location to Main Street in downtown, as well. Chipman highlighted the city’s Neighbors on Watch (NOW) volunteer patrol group for providing residents the opportunity to assist local law enforcement.
“We also participated in the ribbon cutting for a new regional law enforcement academy [in Vancouver] that will help to recruit new officers who won’t need to spend months away from their homes and families while they’re attending training,” Chipman said.
Chipman said RPD will hire two more police officers this year. Local law enforcement is currently exploring a drone program to enhance the efficiency of police investigations, as well.
“We’ve purchased the drones, and we’ve trained officers to implement the program,” Chipman said. “We’ll be bringing the details to the public in the spring.”
The State of the City address also debuted “Carty the Crane” as a new mascot character for Ridgefield. Based on Ridgefield’s local sandhill cranes, Carty was named after James Carty, the first person to settle in what would become Ridgefield following the Chinook tribe. Mayor Ron Onslow told The Reflector he hoped Carty helped children in the audience learn about Ridgefield’s developing comprehensive plan.
For more information about the 2025 comprehensive plan update, visit ridgefieldroundtable.org/hub-page/comp-plan. The website includes an online survey for feedback regarding the direction of Ridgefield’s growth.
