Sarah Birkle
Meet Sarah Birkle:
Sarah grew up in Saint Helens Oregon and studied International and Intercultural Affairs at Portland State University. She has experience working in tourism, restaurants, teaching and coordinating programs. After seeing her hometown begin to revitalize, Sarah was inspired to be a part of positive change for rural communities and is excited about the growth which Cornelius has seen and will continue to develop. She hopes to learn more about the community, the residents and the great possibilities for the city in the next year. You can find her at your nearest coffee shop.
Community and Organization:
The city of Cornelius is a small city with a population of 12,724. Cornelius is located just west of Hillsboro, which is considered the high-tech hub of Oregon and boasts numerous amenities and events. Forest Grove is located just east of Cornelius, and is home to Pacific University and a quaint, historic downtown district. Cornelius is 52% Latino, and that is reflected in many of the cultural institutions and businesses that are found within the city. Cornelius is a friendly, relatively conservative community where faith and family are of utmost importance, and many enjoy the family-friendly orientation of public spaces and events. The city is also within easy proximity to bountiful natural areas, such as the Pacific Coast, the Coast Range, and Hagg Lake.
Project:
Sarah served with the Community Development Director and City Planner of Cornelius. Cornelius recently passed a vision for a town center under the “Urban Renewal Plan” which outlined an eventual thriving downtown and main-street for the city. Her main role was to help implement the foundations for the future of the Renewal Plan. She acted as a liaison for the small businesses and community members. Some projects she coordinated included a ‘Pop- Up Plaza’ in the town center for local businesses to show case their products and inclusion into the city; and also a resource fair for community members to become more involved in Cornelius’s vision.