Report: Longview branding evaluation
Monday, August 18, 2008 7:52 PM PDT
By The Daily News
Printable version
E-mail this articleThe cities of Longview and Kelso recently hired a Seattle-based marketing firm to evaluate the cities through the eyes of a stranger.
The two cities each paid $10,000 for the evaluation, which is the first stage of a comprehensive “branding” project to create a distinctive, desirable image for the communities.
Two consultants from Destination Development, a nationally recognized firm that’s helped roughly 460 cities reinvent themselves, said they were turned off by the county’s shabby visitor center at Exit 39 and Longview’s unkempt, stark downtown. Navigating the two cities was confusing and frustrating because the way-finding signs didn’t connect with each other, they said.
But Destination Development CEO Roger Brooks and his business partner, Dr. Monica Dixon, also raved about the cities’ golf courses, Lake Sacajawea Park, the Columbia Theatre and Teague’s Interiors.
The following is a link to the complete Destination Development report for Longview in pdf form. The report is 60 pages long with photos, so it may take a few minutes to download. We’ll try to post the Kelso report as it becomes available.
Destination Development Branding Community Assessment for Longview
afakeaddress wrote on May 23, 2008 7:37 PM:
" $20,000.00 has been spent on information any tourist could tell you. "
Reality wrote on May 24, 2008 9:16 AM:
" Fake: I presume you refer to those tourists who don't come here because of our problems and those tourists who can't find "here" because of the lack of signs? "
CyberMel wrote on May 28, 2008 10:04 AM:
" DUH - I could've told you for free that when a newcomer arrivers here they think "ewww...tweakers live here!" And they are glad that they are merely passing through on their way somewhere else. Both downtown areas are shabby and ill-kept, and except for the time of year that the trees bloom pink, neither town is very attractive. Longview has become one big strip mall, and the new City Hall in Kelso has done NOTHING to improve that area. All these points, and the lack of cultural diversity would be enough to keep many people away. Let's spend less money on out-of-town consulting firms, and more on drug rehab and economic development. "
towboater wrote on Jun 1, 2008 10:24 AM:
" There is no gettin around Longview and Kelso are Industrial Seaports. Every taxpayer dime should protect that.
But, I think these Family Theme Parks that allow you to park your car for 2 or 3 days and relax are great ideas. Longview Wye? "
But, I think these Family Theme Parks that allow you to park your car for 2 or 3 days and relax are great ideas. Longview Wye? "
starfire wrote on Jun 5, 2008 1:17 AM:
" Maybe they will change the name of Longview to Red Canoe, WA "
Mr. Chinook wrote on Jun 22, 2008 12:18 AM:
" I think that the ever-growing Latino theme should be followed and rename the two cities El Kelso and La Longview. "
Ms. Z wrote on Jul 5, 2008 10:52 AM:
" I encounter many tourists at my place of employment. The most common questions we get (other then where is Wal-mart) is where can they find a "safe" motel and where is a nice restaurant in a "safe" area. Seems to me that many travelers do not find our little community very safe. "
dontbestupid wrote on Jul 7, 2008 10:48 PM:
" Welcome ladies and gentlemen. I'll be your tour guide. As we head west toward Longview, you can look to your left and see our fabulous...garbage dump. Welcome to Longview. sounds like a great destination to me. "
SPARROW wrote on Jul 10, 2008 6:30 PM:
" The breed of people that started these towns have set their footprints in concrete. Generation after generation of ill mannered country bumpkins and drug addicts are here to stay. We can try to build a respectful city around them, but we will always be stepping over the sleeping bums on the streets per se. We cater to the unfortunate and unwilling to improve their status residents. Introducing any element of culture to this area is exciting, but until we find a way to discourage the undesireable flockers to this area, we won't make any headway to improve. This town was started by the undesireable scums of the country, and their legacy is still here and will probably remain forever unless someone finds a way to turn a pigs ear into a silk purse. and that will cost more than $20k. "
TDN Bad Boy wrote on Jul 11, 2008 11:25 PM:
" I find the complaining about the problems very amusing. Would everyone who voted for a Gregoire in the last election raise their hand? Would everyone who voted for Dean Takko raise their hand? Would everyone who voted for any of the local district judges raise their hand? If you did, then you have nothing to complain about. This community is getting exactly what it votes for regardling laws and drug enforcement. "
skeezix wrote on Jul 23, 2008 11:13 AM:
" To afakeaddress: Maybe the $20,000 will bring more tourists. More tourists = more jobs, more jobs = higher standard of living. To Cybermel: tweekers live everywhere. To Mr. Chinook: Is it possible the Latino's are doing the work that others consider beneath them? To Sparrow: founded by the undesireable scums of the country? Good grief.... I would like to think that this money was well spent and that good can come out of it. Maybe there are ideas that have not been considered. Where I live, there were areas 15 years ago that people did not want to enter. But, because someone had a vision and was willing to invest some time and money, those areas are quite nice now and are contributing to the neighborhoods around them as the bad elements came to realize they were not welcome any longer and wouldn't be tolerated. Give it a chance. You may be surprised if you pull your heads out of the sand for awhile. It will take some time, but be patient and see what is possible with a little positive energy. "
ol retired tweeker wrote on Aug 5, 2008 11:21 AM:
" Re.Skeezix;You made some good points and I agree with most of them. The twenty thousand is already a done deal so lets give it a chance.One thing I cant agree with you is do you really believe that its "sand" all of the NAY-sayers need to pull their out of? "
skeezix wrote on Aug 7, 2008 11:22 AM:
" Tweeker,
I was trying to word it in such a way that it wouldn't be censored. I believe you do get the idea I had originally thought of however. "
I was trying to word it in such a way that it wouldn't be censored. I believe you do get the idea I had originally thought of however. "
just a joe wrote on Aug 8, 2008 10:48 PM:
" To TDN Bad boy: I didn't vote for any of those yay-hoos, and I am one of the unfortunate "born and raised" types...Does that mean that I can scream and whine the loudest about the crime and tweakers? "
amnottezs wrote on Aug 18, 2008 4:25 AM:
" I get sick of hearing this crap about latinos will do the work no white,black,yellow or whomever type of person doesn't want to do. State is over 5% jobless and I'm sure MOST of those people would love to be able to do, landscaping for example. "
concerned citizen wrote on Sep 7, 2008 11:01 AM:
" It's about time someone takes a look at it from the eyes of those not born and raised there. I can tell you as one who unhappily lived in Longview for several years and is glad to be gone....it's a sick place, and needs LOTS of help. Local politics has much to do with it...so do the fumes pumped out regularly by the industrial area plants. Ugh. When a couple of stinky big plants control the local economy and mindset, you get what you asked for. Trashy out-dated apartment complexes that should be razed and rebuilt over don't help, either. "
stargoddess wrote on Sep 15, 2008 12:27 PM:
" That report was a very interesting read. I agree with most everything that was said. It would be great if Longview would follow through. "
cheney119 wrote on Sep 15, 2008 2:07 PM:
" Who was the last republican governor of Washington State? John Spellman and he left office in 1984, as I recall he was bacically a democrat with an (R) by his name. How has this thrived so viberantly for 24 years without the leadership of a republican TDN Bad Boy? Wouldn't you like to nominate Ellen Craswell again? Heck I suprised the earth hasn't opened up and consumed us all without republican leadership, god what a laugh you are. Got an answer republicans? We are doing just fine with out any republicans in power at any level, house, senate, governor, in Washington State, in my opinion, the country would benefit also and I think we'll find in November that congress and the presidency will be safe in democratic hands. "
dude wrote on Sep 15, 2008 3:03 PM:
" Good suggestions. It would be nice to have a little attention paid to downtown. Maintenance, paint, flowers. A good report we if implement some of it. "
Atrucker wrote on Sep 15, 2008 3:18 PM:
" Other than take sots accross the bow at each other you have said little about how to fix our down town mess in both towns . Or how to draw people off the freeway to our quaint little town and show them the good stuff about being here . The weather treats us nice most of the time . Lots of good food in town . entertainment if you look for it . A lot of history around here but you can not see it all in one day. If the mills still do tours that could be a draw .
We need to stop being a mill town ghost town. Make down town a place to go again. "
We need to stop being a mill town ghost town. Make down town a place to go again. "
speak into the microphone wrote on Sep 15, 2008 7:48 PM:
" Welcome to Methlaham land of the corrupt overpayed city and county officials that will spend your money for all their own special agendas and show no common sense for what the public and the tourist's really need and want. We are #1 in crime and the best place for illegals to hide out in the wide open "
AliceKinnon wrote on Sep 15, 2008 7:54 PM:
" As a former Kelso resident who comes back to visit every couple of years, I read this report with interest. I agree with many of the assessments, but worry that the Cowlitz County solution will be to just some vinyl on everything and make the place look like even more like an anonymous strip mall than it already does. I worked in The Merc in the early 90s, and was actually proud of Commerce's embrace of the local character at that time- I'm sorry to see that it seems to have been lost.
One more thing- I actually think that Longview could benefit from touting Nutty Narrows more than it already does. I've told many friends about that bridge, and showed it off to the few who've made the cross-country trek to Cowlitz County. The friends who heard about it wanted to see it, and the friends who actually saw it loved it. Frankly, Longview-Kelso is one quirky place, and it would do better to embrace that fact than to whitewash the local flavor. "
One more thing- I actually think that Longview could benefit from touting Nutty Narrows more than it already does. I've told many friends about that bridge, and showed it off to the few who've made the cross-country trek to Cowlitz County. The friends who heard about it wanted to see it, and the friends who actually saw it loved it. Frankly, Longview-Kelso is one quirky place, and it would do better to embrace that fact than to whitewash the local flavor. "
ratkins wrote on Sep 17, 2008 12:00 PM:
" I read the report and found alot of ideas to improve the "looks" of the two towns. I believe if the business owners hired the panhandlers to help paint and weed and plant flowers and wash buildings we could kill two birds with one stone!! Just a thought. "
kelso gringo wrote on Sep 21, 2008 11:48 PM:
" Thank you to those with positive comments and constructive criticism.
No thanks to the poopy heads that are upset about everything. Having a positive outlook lowers stress and extends goodness. "
No thanks to the poopy heads that are upset about everything. Having a positive outlook lowers stress and extends goodness. "
bluE wrote on Sep 24, 2008 5:59 AM:
" yeah 20,000 was spent on info most any one person could provide, but they are politicians, they dont get paid to listen to us, they get paid to herd us and work us, and spend our money. thats what they are doing, so technically they are doing their job... as for the organization that is providing the consulting, hey at least they are able to get through, maybe they will breath a wind of life into this sewer.
either which way, i am not coming back any time soon, if i do find myself returning to america it will NOT be longview or kelso, no dieing logging towns or industrial wastelands for me thanks. "
either which way, i am not coming back any time soon, if i do find myself returning to america it will NOT be longview or kelso, no dieing logging towns or industrial wastelands for me thanks. "
concerned citizen wrote on Sep 24, 2008 1:00 PM:
" I really don't think any cosmetic fixes will change anything. Though i know many dear people in the area, there are many more with a dour attitude toward "outsiders". That certainly doesn't make a town very tourist friendly. When attitudes change, the charm of the cities will change, and the tourists will come. Yes, the city council members have lots to do with the cities' problems. But don't forget how they get their jobs....the citizens vote them in! "
Amazed By Ignorance wrote on Sep 29, 2008 7:41 AM:
" There's no problem in these towns that a bulldozer cannot fix. A nicer look on the I-5 corridor would do some good. I do also find myself in agreement with concerned citizen. These towns do not welcome outsiders. I have resided here for over 7 years...and I am still viewed as such. "
pangborn wrote on Sep 29, 2008 9:03 AM:
" Boondogle.
SAhenaigans.
Stop wasting tax payer money.
What is it a travellers/tourist wants to see in Longview?
Historic baloney? "
SAhenaigans.
Stop wasting tax payer money.
What is it a travellers/tourist wants to see in Longview?
Historic baloney? "
Rural Citizen wrote on Sep 29, 2008 9:04 AM:
" I don't know why you couldn't have your citizen meetings and ASK FOR FREE to learn what is needed. We have been griping in the newspaper for 15 years and you don't seem to hear your own citizens.
I think that tax money has been WASTED on this report. It is not the fault of the company doing the report. They were hired to do a job, and they have done it well. The thing is that the citizens could have told you the same thing for FREE and they actually DID tell you.
It is telling of how much the citizens are ignored... discounted.... and taxed all the time.
Just remember, when you finish fancying up your town, put back some trees on some of the barren awful roads... "
I think that tax money has been WASTED on this report. It is not the fault of the company doing the report. They were hired to do a job, and they have done it well. The thing is that the citizens could have told you the same thing for FREE and they actually DID tell you.
It is telling of how much the citizens are ignored... discounted.... and taxed all the time.
Just remember, when you finish fancying up your town, put back some trees on some of the barren awful roads... "
dh wrote on Sep 29, 2008 9:13 AM:
" Interesting report. I'd love to be able to see a lot of the things they suggest coming to pass in our area. It makes me want to get on a committee to sit down and start the ball rolling--will I ever get the chance? I'm young compared to most decision makers in our county (probably at least 20 years their junior), and I'm not a WA native (only been here for 5 years), so maybe some outside perspective would be beneficial! "
fencepost wrote on Sep 30, 2008 7:46 AM:
" The first problem I see with the report is that exit 40 is used. The sign over the offramp needs to be changed, removing "Longview" and "Long Beach" and rewording it to say "North Kelso." Southbound should be a sign that says "City Centers - use exit 39". Exit 40 is the WORST route to direct visitors into Kelso and Longview. The next exit south, exit 39, should be the "main entrance" to the cities. Exit 36 should be labeled as "Kelso/Longview Industrial Areas." Northbound, there should be a sign approaching exit 36 "City Centers - use exit 39". Pick one exit and sell it! "
fencepost wrote on Sep 30, 2008 7:49 AM:
" Another thing: straighten out SR4 through Kelso. Rather than winding around to go over the Cowlitz Way Bridge, it should go straight over the Allen Street Bridge. This will take cooperation with WSDOT, but it sure makes more sense. "
two cents wrote on Oct 4, 2008 11:47 PM:
" I think reposting this information is great, but do we have to keep seeing the posts of those of the past? - And, wouldn't this be a great article to be running the ad for the Community Assessment Meetings? - Just a thought "
Mr. Bastinado wrote on Oct 13, 2008 7:50 AM:
" I've said it before, and I'll say it again. The area's motto oughta be: Longview/Kelso-COME FOR THE METH, STAY FOR THE KIDDIES. "
lucky1 wrote on Oct 13, 2008 7:55 AM:
" I do like to shop downtown Longview but get very frustrated trying to park. I think it would help if the city bought the Elks building and turned it into a parking garage. Then the downtown employees would have a place to park leaving mainstreet open to customers. "
Past Month's Most Commented Stories