Better days are ahead

The first few months of 2025 have seen much activity around Rainier. Improvements to the historic City Hall structure have been completed and include a roof replacement and the restoration of its windows. Contractors hired through the Oregon Department of Transportation have finished a project along B Street aimed at making the curbs and sidewalks compliant with the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act. That was part of a statewide effort resulting from a lawsuit settlement. Bark chips have been added to the city park, and the public works department is in the process of fixing its sprinkler system. A soft opening was held mid-April for the long-awaited Rainier Oregon Historical Museum (ROHM) building.

So what does all of this mean for the future of Rainier? I’m inclined to think it means better days are ahead. ROHM volunteers have been moving materials from their current location on the third floor of City Hall to the new museum site. Once they’re done, it will open that area up for use as a possible community room.

Rainier Days in the Park is just around the corner and scheduled for Friday through Sunday, July 11-13. The event will feature a parade, carnival rides and entertainment. Similarly, the Rivertime in Rainier summer concert series is coming back for its second year. Free concerts will take place at the park every Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m., except for the week of Rainier Days. The first concert is scheduled for June 4 and will feature Hit Machine. Those shows will run until Wednesday, Aug. 27, when Curtis Salgado and Alan Hagar hit the stage for the series finale.

It’s been a goal of the City Council to look at establishing regular bus service to Longview. Through the use of some federal grant funds and a strong partnership with the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments, those routes are scheduled to start running in July at minimal cost to Rainier taxpayers. Aside from all that, there may also be improvements to the disc golf course and skate park in the City’s future.

As you can see, there’s a lot going on in Rainier. And I have every reason to remain optimistic as we head into the second half of 2025.