In the year 2010, Black Diamond will be a beautiful, friendly community based on a rich historic heritage and exceptional natural setting, and with a small-town atmosphere.  Forested areas and open space remain, while development maintains a healthy balance of moderate growth and economic viability.

The economic base will be a mix of retail, industrial/business park, office, tourist, and local cottage industries.  Residential development will be a mix of types, sizes and densities, clustered to preserve maximum open space and to access a system of trails/bikeways/greenbelts which connect housing, shopping, employment and recreation areas with nearby regional parks and recreational facilities.

Citizens actively participate in an effective and open government decision-making process that reflects community values.  There will be good cooperation among nearby jurisdictions, and adequate public services and environmental protection to provide a safe and healthy quality of life for all citizens, from children to seniors.

The term “Rural by Design” has been used frequently in newspaper articles and public meetings when discussing coming development in Black Diamond.  Some time ago our City adopted a guide to development that will take place in the near future.  These are the key elements of Rural by Design as envisioned by our citizens:

• "Rural by Design"
  Provide for a mix of uses (Residential, Community Retail, Commercial, Business Park, Mixed Uses, Civic/Schools)
• Compact Form (Use of tools such as clustering)
• Opportunities for Casual Socializing  (Neighborhood design, House design, Commercial areas, Parks)
• Accessible Civic Spaces (Parks, City Facilities, Trails, Community Center, Schools)
  
• Sense of Community (Respect for local history, design)

• Additional Key Elements Guiding the City
  Preservation and enhancements of Physical characteristics
• Protection of surface and groundwater (for fish and people)
• Conservation of water and other resources
• Preservation and enhancement of open spaces and views of Mt. Rainier
• Provision of employment uses
• Improvement of the City’s fiscal performance
• Timely provision of necessary facilities and infrastructure
• Development of a coordinated system of pedestrian oriented facilities including trails and bicycle paths
• “Growth should pay for growth” – Existing citizens should not bear the burden of developers

Black Diamond History
The City of Black Diamond was incorporated in 1959, but was first established as a community in the late 1880s for the mining of coal. At the turn of the century the town was a major exporter of coal in the region. The Pacific Coast Coal Company in Black Diamond became the largest coal mining operation on the West Coast. Some historic buildings retain their original locations.

A rich history surrounds the City of Black Diamond from the famous Black Diamond Bakery to the Black Diamond Museum of History.

Black Diamond offers a warm and friendly rural, small town atmosphere with spectacular mountain views. The city is nestled in the foothills within miles of the beautiful Green River Gorge and Flaming Geyser Park.

The City is on the verge of growth. At 4,120 citizens, population projections may reach above 20,000 in the next 20 years. Over the past several years, major annexations have increased the population and acreage of Black Diamond. The annexation of the Lake Sawyer area in 1998 doubled the number of citizens. Recent annexations in the City’s urban growth area have increased the city’s size by approximately 1,600 acres.

Unlike other communities, the city has stood firm to its vision and growth strategies as identified with the community and captured in the 1996 Comprehensive Plan. As the final pieces fall into place, Black Diamond is in the position to allow growth to occur in a well-planned, environmentally sensitive manner that protects the rural character of our community.

FORM OF GOVERNMENT
The City is a “Code City” as described under Title 35A in the Revised Code of Washington. Black Diamond operates under a strong mayor form of government with five elected council members serving staggered four-year terms. The mayor serves as the chief administrative officer of the city and has hired a city administrator to assist in day-to-day operations. The Council acts as the legislative body. When the City reaches a population of 5,000 state law requires expansion to a seven-member council.

The City is served by Congressional District 8 and Legislative Districts 47 and 5.