The Washougal City Council approved a project that will bring some major changes to "E" Street in Washougal, and not all business owners are happy about it. Sheryl Malfait, co-owner of Flowers Washougal and Hi-Way Fuel wants the thoroughfare to remain four lanes and be repaved. She said the "E" Street project would involve the closure of one of the entrances to Hi-Way Fuel. Individuals who want to use the car wash would have to pull into the diesel aisle to get to the car wash. Heather Acheson/Post-Record

The "E" Street improvements project passed by a slim margin last night, garnering a 4 to 3 approval vote by the Washougal City Council -- despite concerns from some local residents and business owners.

The result, which included "yes" votes from Molly Coston, Jennifer McDaniel, Paul Greenlee and Rod Morris, occurred after several public comments were made. Votes of "no" were made by Dave Shoemaker, Michael Delavar and Jon Russell.

Lisa Malcolm-Dunn, a lifelong Washougal resident, said she had to laugh when she heard of the plans to change "E" Street from four lanes to two.

"I do not understand how it will improve traffic flow," she said. "I remember when it was a two-lane goat path."

John Warta, owner of Air Speed Internet, LLC, congratulated the council for removing the roundabout at 17th and "E" streets from the project plans. He also did not favor the rest of the proposal except for the light in front of Hathaway Elementary School.

Warta said bicyclists could travel on "C" Street instead of "E," which should be widened and become a "true thoroughfare."

Penny Guest said she and her husband walk along "E" Street daily, and they see very few bicycles.

She expressed concern that the street project could disrupt businesses on E.

"I can foresee several bankruptcies," Guest said.

Eminent domain issues are raised

While acknowledging that the city could receive a $6.5 million project for $82,000 in Real Estate Excise Taxes, Delavar said he did not like the fact that the city could use an eminent domain process to purchase some property along "E" Street, if needed for the project.

Last October, the council voted 4 to 3 in favor of an ordinance that would provide for the condemnation, appropriation, taking and/or acquisition of property and easements for the purpose of constructing right-of-way improvements in the vicinity of Sixth to 32nd streets on the "E" Street corridor.

Read the rest of the story in the Feb. 2 issue of the Post-Record