Runways to Riverfronts: Council Meeting Brings a String of Good News

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Oct 31

Mayor Rich Mays, far right, takes a photo with Local Government Academy graduates who recently completed their study of operations, services, and programs of the City of The Dalles. The program offers a spring board to locals who may be interested in serving on city committees and boards.

The Dalles, Ore., Oct. 28, 2025 — The Dalles City Council approved a contract Monday night with HB Hansen Construction to build two new aviation T-hangars with capacity for 18 planes at Columbia Gorge Regional Airport, a project expected to boost general aviation and support local business growth.

The agreement was part of the consent agenda and passed without opposition. The hangar expansion is one of several improvements at the jointly managed airport operated by The Dalles and Klickitat County. City officials said the investment will help meet long-term demand for aircraft storage and generate new lease revenue.

During public comment, longtime airport board member and business leader Jim Wilcox put the decision in perspective, noting that more than $20 million in public investment — and several million more in private funds — have been directed into the airport since 2006.

Jeff Renard in a recent tour of the Columbia Gorge Regional Airport.

He credited airport manager Jeff Renard for leading that growth, saying the operation had gone from “five employees, three of which were part-time, to more than forty full-time employees today.”

“It’s a remarkable turnaround,” Wilcox said, adding that continued city support will help the airport expand as additional hangars and capital projects come online.

Wilcox also thanked the city for its broader infrastructure leadership and suggested that the community consider naming a public asset in honor of longtime Public Works Director Dave Anderson, who helped complete the Dog River pipeline project.

Community pride carried through other comments as well. Beautification Committee member Chuck Gomez reported that volunteers planted 50 trees around public spaces this year, with another 50 planned for 2026. He said projects at Thompson Park and Lewis & Clark Fesitval Park are part of ongoing efforts to enhance visible entry points to the city.

Dan Durrow and Bruce Lumper provided updates on the Riverfront Trail, celebrating recent progress and thanking the city for its continued support.

The Riverfront Trail project—initially seeded with a $100,000 city contribution six years earlier—has now been completed. They said the total investment reached about $615,000 through a mix of grants, community fundraising, and support from organizations like the Bonneville Power Administration, which contributed roughly $166,000 to repair damage near Taylor Lake.

Lumper explained that the work included three major repairs and a full seal-coating of the trail, marking the end of a long maintenance and resurfacing effort. The pair also noted that they’ve already begun seeking new funding for additional improvements and continue to raise $18,000 to $20,000 annually through local donor letters, demonstrating sustained community support for the trail’s upkeep.

Bruce Lumper, left, and Dan Durrow, speak to councilors about Riverfront Trail.

The Lions Club was recognized not only for its community service but also for raising more than $100,000 this year to support local safety and beautification projects, including new park benches, vision screenings, and traffic control for downtown events. The Dalles Main Street was also commended for its revitalization initiatives, seasonal events, and partnerships that help draw visitors and preserve The Dalles’ historic downtown core.

Mayor Rich Mays said the updates reflected the cooperative spirit that continues to move The Dalles forward, noting that city staff and residents “share the same goal of making this a better place to live.”