REIMAGINE ELLENSBURG

A community-driven vision for a safer, more vibrant Gold Beach.

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Replay of Town Hall, January 13

This Town Hall brings together community members, local businesses, the City of Gold Beach, and ODOT to discuss how street safety, lane configuration options, ADA improvements, and streetscape upgrades can work together thoughtfully and with community input.

Below are the presentation sections for easy navigation:


0:00 Intro & Welcome
1:02 Jordan White — Town Hall Facilitator
9:47 Thomas Guevara (ODOT) — U.S. 101 Community Connections Plan & Emergency Access
18:00 Susan Wright (Kittelson & Associates) — Traffic Study & Lane Configuration Concepts
37:22 Tyson Krieger — Gold Beach Fire Chief, Emergency Access
40:01 Chris Hunter (ODOT Region 3) — ADA Ramp Projects Overview
47:00 Dave Dougherty — Streetscape Design & Community Benefits
1:01:16 Tamie Kaufman — Mayor of Gold Beach, Sidewalks, Undergrounding & Planning
1:27:48 Community Questions
1:27:48 Senator David Brock Smith
1:30:18 Closing Statement — Laurie Van Zante
1:39:57 Thank You & Adjournment

Watch on YouTube

Reimagine Ellensburg is Gold Beach Main Street’s community outreach effort supporting the City of Gold Beach’s U.S. 101 Community Connections Plan.

As transportation engineers and planners review options for improving safety, traffic flow, walkability, landscaping, and the overall experience of traveling through our town, GBMS is working to ensure the community is informed, involved, and heard.

This page is your hub for:

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Understanding
the Process

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Viewing Project
Updates

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Participating in
Community Discussions

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Accessing Surveys &
Public Feedback

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Staying Connected
to Progress

A colorful illustration of a city street scene with a building featuring large arched windows and a blue door, surrounded by green trees and bushes. There are three people: one riding a bicycle on the street, one walking on the sidewalk, and one standing near the entrance of the building, with a clear sky overhead.

Revitalizing Ellensburg Avenue is more than a roadway project — it’s a chance to strengthen our local economy, create safer streets for families and school children, support walkability and accessibility, enhance beautification, and build a Main Street that reflects the heart and character of Gold Beach.

This Effort Supports:

A green bike lane with white bicycle symbol and directional arrow painted on it, located on a city street, with trees casting shadows on the lane.

Safety

Safer crossings, slower traffic, and better visibility

People walking on a city sidewalk during sunset with sunlight shining through buildings, street signs, banners, and trees lining the street.

Walkability

More accessible Main Street for residents & visitors

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Business
Vitality

Helping businesses attract customers and reinvest

A sidewalk with a bench near two trees, one with pink blossoms, and decorative rocks.

Beauty &
Identity

Landscaping, art, and a welcoming downtown

Silhouettes of a pregnant woman and a young boy performing a high-five during sunset.

Community
Pride

Feeling good about a Gold Beach we all helped build

How This Fits Into the U.S. 101 Community Connections Plan

The City of Gold Beach and ODOT are collaborating with Kittelson & Associates on the U.S. 101 Community Connections Plan, a detailed analysis of traffic flow, lane configuration, safety needs, and design possibilities for the Ellensburg corridor.

Logo of Oregon Department of Transportation with stylized blue 'O' and text.
Logo of Gold Beach featuring a bridge, the sun, birds, and the tagline 'Nature's Wild Side'.
Kittelson & Associates logo with a stylized 'K' in orange and black
Map of Gold Beach, Oregon, showing streets, landmarks like Gold Beach Visitor Center, and nearby areas, with the coast on the left and terrain on the right.

Their process includes:

  • Data collection & engineering review

  • Development of three potential design concepts

  • Online open houses (public input period)

  • A second open house in 2026

  • Public hearings prior to final decisions

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Download Fact Sheet
View Project Website

Public Meeting Timeline

Oregon Department of Transportation logo in black and white.

Open House #1

January 7 - 23, ONLINE

Presentation of existing transportation conditions and challenges along U.S. 101 in Gold Beach. Draft concepts by Kittelson (transportation engineering and planning consulting firm) released for public review & community poll participation request on three different potential alternatives.

Event Page
Main Street Gold Beach logo with stylized leaf design.

Town Hall Meeting

January 13, 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Community information event regarding Ellensburg Avenue. Speakers include: ODOT, Kittelson Engineering Firm, City of Gold Beach, Dougherty Landscape Architects, and more! Come learn about potential solutions and participate in the community discussion!

Event Page

Open House #2

SPRING 2026

Oregon Department of Transportation logo in black and white.

Public opportunity to review the preferred design option, offer feedback on potential refinements, and help identify which improvements should be prioritized first. Your input will guide how the final plan is shaped and implemented.

Event Page
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Public Hearing

SUMMER 2026

Before the plan is officially adopted, the Gold Beach City Council will hold public hearings — one of the final and most important opportunities for community members to speak directly into the decision-making process. Your voice at this stage is essential.

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Online Open House & Lane Configuration Concepts

ODOT’s Online Open House will be open January 7–23, featuring three lane configuration concepts developed by Kittelson & Associates. These conceptual options explore how U.S. 101 through Gold Beach could function in the future and include an online survey where community members can share feedback. This is a great way to get informed ahead of the January 13 Community Town Hall.

A promotional flyer for the Gold Beach community, indicating the availability of an online open house for the U.S. 101 Gold Beach community connections project. The flyer features a map marking key locations like Gold Beach Municipal Airport, McKay's Market, Curry General Hospital, Riley Creek Elementary School, Gold Beach Junior/Senior High School, Curry County Fairgrounds, and Gold Beach Visitor’s Center. The left side has a bright orange background with bold white and brown text, and a purple starburst shape with white text says "Participate Now." There is a QR code, the Gold Beach logo with the slogan "Nature's Wild Side," and the Oregon Department of Transportation logo.
Illustration of a city street with sidewalks, bikes, and multiple vehicle lanes, showing a crosswalk, store buildings on the right, smaller building on the left, and cars driving in both directions, under a partly cloudy sky.

5-Lane Configuration

A digital illustration of a street with sidewalks, bike lanes, and multiple vehicle lanes, featuring pedestrians, cyclists, and various parked and moving vehicles, under a cloudy sky.

4-Lane Configuration

Digital rendering of a commercial street with sidewalks, bike lanes, vehicle lanes, parking, and people walking and biking on a sunny day with clouds and a distant tree line.

3-Lane Configuration

Your voice helps shape the future of Gold Beach.

Attend Town
Hall meetings

01

Take community surveys and polls

02

Participate in online open houses

03

Stay updated through
our newsletter

04

Share information with our neighbors

05

Send in your questions and concerns

06

Go to Event
Flyer for a town hall meeting on January 13, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Curry Public Library, located at 94341 3rd Street, Gold Beach. The flyer highlights the event's focus on community discussions about Ellensburg's future with topics including underground utilities, streetscape possibilities, traffic study and lane configuration, and community discussion.
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GBMS promotes community engagement — helping to ensure that residents understand the concepts and have meaningful opportunities to share their feedback.

GBMS also expands beyond the vision to propose integral features such as landscape architecture that aligns with our mission, community input, and in collaboration with the City of Gold Beach initiatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • No. GBMS is supporting community engagement. ODOT, the City of Gold Beach, and Kittelson & Associates lead the engineering and design process.

  • Potentially. The design options include considerations for lane configuration, safety improvements, and accessibility.

  • During each public open house, surveys, and community meetings. GBMS will announce all opportunities.

  • The Ellensburg/Main Street/U.S 101 corridor impacts business vitality, pedestrian safety, access, beauty, and the long-term health of our community.

  • No, this Town Hall is specifically focused on lane reconfiguration, streetscape possibilities, safety, and accessibility.