Vision 2020

As I sit here on this gray and rainy Sunday contemplating my week and the many activities going on with the chamber, I also think about the opportunity we have to speak with our city council and our vision for the future.

Vision 2020 was kicked off in September 2011 with presentations from Dr. Ed Schweitzer of SEL, Inc and Dr. Elson Floyd, President of WSU.  They spoke of the future and what lies ahead for SEL and WSU and how it relates to Pullman and the Palouse. 

Both agree on several things: the City of Pullman is beautiful, safe and offers a quiet and efficient way of life.  With great medical care, a growing university with PAC-12 athletics and an increasing higher tech industry, Pullman continues to grow and offer business opportunities in an economic climate that, at the national level, is struggling.

In a nurturing community that has a higher educated workforce and a low crime rate, Pullman leads Whitman County into the future of “High Tech, Higher Education, and the Highest Quality of Life”.

While looking forward to the future of Pullman and the Palouse region, one area that deserves further consideration is enhanced transportation for people who live in and who visit Pullman.  “Active Transportation” with bike and pedestrian paths that allow for green travel and an increase in an active and healthy lifestyle will integrate well with WSU’s long term master plan to provide more pedestrian friendly pathways on their campus.  The paths should not end at the edges of their boundary, but be continued throughout Pullman.  Portland Bureau of Transportation uses these three primary approaches in their success in making bicycling an integral part of their daily life:

1. Planning, implementing, and maintaining a bikeway network.
2. Providing secure bicycle parking.
3. Educating people about the role of bicycle transportation in keeping our communities livable and encouraging residents (include ‘students’) to choose bicycling for more of their daily trips.

Two local organizations, Pullman Civic Trust and the Pullman Arts Commission, are also envisioning beautiful pathways along with bike racks that double as artwork.  We can all embrace these enhancements and encourage city-wide implementation, and especially downtown Pullman to increase traffic to our more historic buildings.

•We would also like to consider infrastructure and planning for growth as well as greater visitor traffic.  With increased enrollment at WSU and the recent acquisition of a national caliber football coach that promises to bring more awareness and visitors to our town and campus, it’s essential that we improve mobility in and around town to provide a memorable experience and one which will encourage return visits.

In addition the recent proposal by the City to provide a bus stop on Main Street is a welcome one!  This will be the first stop on Main Street in the downtown district.  We’d also encourage increased late night routes and include Sundays to better serve our student and family population that rely heavily on the transit system. 

•We would like to see Pullman prosper and grow while also maintaining our small town atmosphere and appeal, including:

·         Maintaining public safety and law enforcement.

·         Providing adequate affordable housing.

·         Pursuing additional business opportunities including high tech and small business with increased job attraction AND retention.

·         Maintaining and embracing a strong relationship with WSU.

We envision a welcoming city with a diverse display of public art, sidewalk cafes, and public places that encourage visitors and residents to stop, share ideas, and enjoy a clean, vibrant, and active community.

In Summary:  The Pullman Chamber’s motto and mission “Making Pullman a better place to live, work and do business” fits hand in hand with the city’s motto, and together we truly do make Pullman the BEST place to live, work and do business while continuing to offer high tech industry, higher education and the highest quality of life.

Marie~ExDir