Cornelius 2045

Cornelius Vision 2

The Cornelius 2045 Plan will provide us and future City leaders with important guideposts to make policy, program, and investment decisions.

The intent of developing this Plan is to:

  • Acknowledge and celebrate recent accomplishments;
  • Align the organization’s vision with that of the community;
  • Identify shared goals to guide strategic and day-to-day work and investments;
  • Serve as the foundation for future and concurrent City initiatives.; and
  • Help build collaboration and alignment between staff, community partners, and the community.
  1. Letter from City Council
  2. Context and Process

Dear Cornelius Community Members,cornelius 2045 cover

In the summer of 2023, the City of Cornelius began the process to develop our first community-wide vision plan. Over the last year, we have heard from well over 1,000 of you to form a 20-year plan, and we have named it Cornelius 2045. Cornelius 2045 represents your vision for your community, and it will serve as the foundation for future planning efforts, such as the City’s upcoming Comprehensive Plan and Parks Master Plan updates and Communications Plan, and it will guide current and future project, program, and investment decisions.

Why is a vision plan important? Without it, the development of our infrastructure, programs, services, and partnerships would happen without the intention of your input. The Cornelius 2045 Plan will provide us and future City leaders with important guideposts to make policy, program, and investment decisions. It will also give us a tool to ensure that we implement what the Plan lays out.

We are at an important milestone in our community’s history. We thank you for your time, effort, and involvement in the development of this vision Plan, and we invite you to stay involved as we begin implementation. For more information on how to be involved, please contact the City of Cornelius’ Community Development Department.

Cornelius 2045 English (PDF) | Cornelius 2045 Español (PDF)

City Council Signatures


Vision and Themes

The Cornelius 2045 Vision and Action Plan includes a vision statement organized across four themes. The vision statement describes what the community will look like in the year 2045.

  1. Celebrates Culture, Community and Diversity
  2. Enhances Connectivity and Accessibility
  3. Enriches Parks and Recreational Opportunities
  4. Facilitates Strategic Growth and Development

Celebremos la diversidadIn 2045...

Cornelius honors its history and heritage by embracing its small-town feel and empowering Cornelius’ strong and vibrant Latino community and others. The City partners with local community organizations to create pathways for civic leadership, education, arts, and economic prosperity so every member of our community can thrive and succeed. A strong culture of community engagement ensures the voice of our youth is heard, and every perspective is respected. All residents have access to quality facilities and resources that promote continued learning and cross-cultural connection.

Goals and Actions

Below are the updates on the progress and timelines for the goals and actions outlined in the Cornelius 2045 Plan.

  1. CULTURE, COMMUNITY AND DIVERSITY
  2. CONNECTIVITY AND ACCESSIBILITY
  3. PARKS AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
  4. STRATEGIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Cultural Heritage:Celebrate Diversity

Collaborate with community organizations to preserve and celebrate Cornelius’ rich Latino heritage and others, through art, Cultural Heritage cultural events, educational initiatives, and other programs.

ActionTimelineCostPotential Community Partners
Progress
CH-1: Identify potential locations for murals in the city, collaborate with local artists and community members for the designs and installations.1-3 years
$
Centro Cultural, Adelante Mujeres, Property Owners, Tualatin Valley Creates, Library Public Art Committee, Metro, Chamber of Commerce, City of Cornelius

CH-2: Design a passport system where participants can collect stamps at different art and culture stops.
4-7 years
$
City of Cornelius, Adelante Mujeres, Centro Cultural, Youth Advisory Council, Chamber of Commerce, Library Public Art Committee, Indigenous Peoples’ Advocates

CH-3: Research potential sister cities that align with the community’s cultures, values and goals.
4-7 years
$$
City of Cornelius, Centro Cultural, Adelante Mujeres, Virginia Garcia, Chamber of Commerce

CH-4: Encourage and support cultural events that reflect and celebrate the diversity of the community
1-3 years
$$
City of Cornelius, Centro Cultural, Adelante Mujeres, Forest Grove School District, Hillsboro School District, Virginia Garcia, Metro, Indigenous Peoples’ Advocates, Oregon Child Development Coalition

CH-5: Form a task force to explore the process and implications of changing the city’s name.
4-7 years
$$City of Cornelius, Community Members

CH-6: Develop programs to showcase sustainable farming as a celebration of cultural heritage.
4-7 years
$$
Adelante Mujeres, Centro Cultural, Washington County Farm Bureau, Bee City USA, Oregon State University Extension, Local Farmers

CH-7: Form a committee to explore and develop one or more events to celebrate our community’s agricultural heritage (such as the importance of hazelnuts and blueberries) and to promote local foods and vendors.
1-3 years
$$
Chamber of Commerce, Adelante Mujeres, Washington County Farm Bureau, Oregon State University Extension, Centro Cultural, Travel Oregon, Visit Tualatin Valley


Celebrate DiversityYouth Engagement

Develop comprehensive youth engagement programs that actively involve young residents in civic leadership roles and Youth Engagement decision-making processes.

ActionTimelineCostPotential Community PartnersProgress
YE-1: Implement pilot apprenticeship/internship programs in coordination with local industries and organizations.
4-7 years
$Centro Cultural, Adelante Mujeres, Forest Grove School District, Hillsboro School District, Pacific University, Chamber of Commerce, Habitat for Humanity, Washington County Economic Development

YE-2: Conduct focus groups and surveys to understand student interest in civic affairs and present them with opportunities1-3 years
$City of Cornelius, Forest Grove School District, Hillsboro School District, Youth Advisory Council

YE-3: Strengthen the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) by creating subcommittees, recruiting new members, and developing a leadership program.1-3 years
$City of Cornelius, Forest Grove School District, Hillsboro School District


Celebrate DiversityPlacemaking

Implement placemaking initiatives that repurpose underutilized areas to establish vibrant community gathering spaces, such as parks, plazas, or civic centers.

ActionTimelineCostPotential Community PartnersProgress
P-1: Work with partners to explore a career and technical hub by securing funding and engaging local businesses.
8+ years
$$$
Hillsboro School District, Forest Grove School District, Centro Cultural, Adelante Mujeres, Habitat for Humanity, City of Forest Grove, City of Banks, City of North Plains, City of Gaston, Local Universities, Chamber of Commerce, Westside Economic Alliance, City of Cornelius
P-2: Acquire and renovate the Cornelius Elementary School to create a community center.1-3 years
$$$
City of Cornelius, Metro, Federal and State Legislative Delegation

P-3: Prioritize actions in the Town Center and Urban Renewal Plans to facilitate repurposing of existing developable properties.
1-3 years
$$$
City of Cornelius, Property Owners, Urban Renewal Agency Board

P-4: Develop an economic development strategy to stimulate locally owned retail, dining, breweries, wineries, food carts, and shopping citywide.
4-7 years
$$
City of Cornelius, Centro Cultural, Adelante Mujeres, Forest Grove School District, Hillsboro School District, Virginia Garcia, Metro, Indigenous Peoples’ Advocates, Oregon Child Development Coalition