City Extends Facility Closures Through May, Cancels Large-Scale Events
April 28, 2020 – Following the guidance of public health officials, the City of Wilsonville is extending the closure of all City facilities – including City Hall, the Wilsonville Public Library, the Wilsonville Community Center, the SMART Transit Operations Facility and the Parks & Recreation Admin Building – through May 31, 2020.
Because the City has successfully transitioned to remote meetings for Boards and Commissions, the Council Chambers is closed to the public during meetings of the City Council and other boards, except in contested cases or extraordinary circumstances, to be prearranged with the City. The City’s website, at ci.wilsonville.or.us/meetings, provides meeting agendas and meeting packets that include detailed instructions for those who wish to submit testimony in writing or appear virtually to provide comment during the meeting.
The May closures require cancelation of Municipal Court dates previously scheduled on May 5, May 12 and May 19. Anyone with a scheduled court appearance in May will receive a notice for a new hearing date by mail and may contact the City’s Municipal Court at 503-570-1587 for details on how to proceed.
All large, close-knit gatherings hosted or sponsored by the City before Labor Day are canceled, including Bulky Waste Day, Wilsonville Festival of Arts, the Wilsonville Wellness Fair, the Wilsonville Rotary concert series, the Community Block Party & BBQ, Fun in the Park and Wilsonville Brewfest.
“The process of canceling summer events has been heartbreaking for our staff and elected officials,” said City Manager Bryan Cosgrove. “Summer events are a labor of love for so many of our event planners, volunteers and community partners. This quiet summer will remind us how important these events are, and how many people work so hard to bring joy to our community.”
The City Council has provided Cosgrove with authorization to make final judgment on all summer events and activities in accordance with the recommendations of public health officials. Some events and activities may return with physical distancing modifications in place, including community gardening, farmers’ markets and possibly the Movies in the Park series.
Also, the water features at Town Center Park and Murase Plaza, which typically open on June 1, are to remain closed indefinitely. In all likelihood these popular attractions will not be in operation this year.
“From the outset, our mindset has been to prioritize the health and safety of our community,” Cosgrove said. “While it pains me to have to make decisions that impact many of our summer traditions, everything we read and hear suggests that we have a responsibility to suspend non-critical activities to keep transmission rates suppressed and avoid shutting down things all over again.”
For more information on the status of scheduled City and community events, visit ci.wilsonville.or.us/calendar.
