Evergreen Local Improvement District - Upcoming Community Town Hall Meeting

These photos could very well become the new picture postcards of Evergreen. They tell a story about how a ghost town looks in its early stages of neglect and deterioration.

There isn’t any clout in working with State and Federal entities to repair flood-damaged bridges. Nearly four years after flooding, we are still looking at cones, barriers and a one-lane bridge leading to the Lake House. Barriers along the lake trail keep visitors and locals alike from walking around the lake because of erosion undermining the embankment.

There aren’t any teeth. Volunteer groups have tried and tried over the years to address the issues but have been relatively unsuccessful at getting much done, whether it be improving sidewalks or crosswalks, or getting flood damage fixed.

It was an entrepreneurial spirit that enabled downtown Evergreen to become a wonderful collection of little shops and places to gather years ago. But the volunteer spirit that has kept downtown alive is about to die – just like the time and temperature sign owned by Evergreen National Bank. It went out nearly a year ago and has never been lighted since.

There isn’t any muscle – except for those flexed between landlords who don’t speak to each other or property owners who have been at odds with the county over private matters for decades. Evergreen suffers as a result.

I’m hopeful that the proposed Local Improvement District (LID) will help reverse some of the neglect that’s occurring, give Evergreen a lift, and rise above the individual squabbles that have taken their toll on Downtown Evergreen.

A multi-page informational piece being distributed by the Ross-Lewis Trust (the main landlord in downtown) is designed to elevate their image as the organization that’s been trying to accomplish things, while taking an adversarial position on the proposed Local Improvement District (LID).

There was a time when the Ross-Lewis Trust brought life and vibrancy to downtown. Under the leadership of Leo Bradley, positive things happened. What the Ross-Lewis Trust has allowed to happen in the past decade would make Leo roll over in his grave. Their demonstration of concern for Evergreen is certainly nothing to write home about, but if you want to do so, I have some picture postcards you can use.