Oregon Heritage Awards Grants to Revitalize Downtowns Across the State

More than two dozen Oregon cities received grants from the Oregon Heritage division of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department to improve their respective communities' downtown corridors, state officials announced Tuesday.

Totaling roughly $2.4 million, 27 grants ranging in value from $17,500 to $100,000 were reportedly awarded to Oregon Main Street Networks in 26 cities across the state for projects that will encourage economic revitalization, stimulate private investment and spur local economic development, according to the state's official statement. Cities that received grants will have until 2020 to complete their projects and will need to report on the project's economic impact for five years following the project's completion date.

Projects funded by this first-time grant opportunity include:

• $100,000 to …
  
  • the Klamath Falls Downtown Association to install elevators in two downtown buildings, which will make available 20 new housing units;
  • the Astoria Downtown Historic District Association for a housing project that will add 40 units and retail space;
  • the City of Burns to restore a decades-vacant historic hotel;
  • the City of Independence to transform an underused building into a local brewery;
  • the City of Enterprise to repair and/or restore The OK Theatre;
  • the City of Pendleton to repair and/or restore the Rivoli Theater; and
  • the City of Woodburn to repair and/or restore the Bungalow Theater.
• And several lesser grants to Baker City, Bandon, Carlton, Corvallis, Florence, John Day, La Grande, McMinnville, Newberg, Port Orford, Reedsport, St. Helens, Stayton, The Dalles, and Weston.

The Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant program was established during the 2015 legislative session, state officials said. This first round of grants is funded by the sale of lottery bonds.

Additionally, some cities will match a specific amount of the grant award to assist with the downtown revitalization projects.

Click here for the full list of Oregon Main Street Grant awardees.

Four cities in the metro region received grants:

Beaverton —

The Beaverton Downtown Association received $100,000 to revitalize the city's historic Masonic Temple at 4690 S.W. Watson Ave. and convert the two-story building's first floor into a restaurant, according to statement from the city. This project will reportedly add to ongoing efforts to grow the city's restaurant district, or row, along Southwest Watson Avenue.

The Masons, officials said, will retain the upper floor for Mason-related activities.

"This is an exciting step forward for our downtown association," said Mayor Denny Doyle. "On behalf of the Beaverton City Council and myself, let me say how proud we are of this group for competing and winning this grant. What a huge win for our city."

The grant will reportedly be match by more than $110,000.

Hillsboro —

The Hillsboro Downtown Partnership received $100,000 to help repair and restore the historic downtown Hill Theatre at 127 N.E. Third Ave., which is now Snyder's Hill Theatre Antique Mall.

According to Saira Siddiqui, executive director for the Hillsboro Downtown Partnership, the antique mall is receiving several repairs and restorations through several funding streams over the next year but will use most of the Oregon Heritage grant to replace the building's roof. Additional repairs and improvements include restoring the old marquee, repainting the façade, replacing windows, and installing new lighting.

Siddiqui told Patch on Tuesday that the property's owner is putting up an additional $55,000 and — as part of its store-front improvement program — the City of Hillsboro is matching funds up to $40,000.

Built in 1937, Hill Theatre is the only art deco-style structure in the city, Siddiqui said.

"These improvements are really going to help keep this building downtown for many years," she said, adding that she expects the restoration could help increase foot traffic on the north side of Third Avenue — which has seen little activity over recent years relative to the rest of downtown. "We're really excited to bring some energy to this part of downtown."

With new murals coming in at the Decadent Creations bakery (the building north of Hills Theatre, which is currently undergoing its own construction and restoration) and the State Farm Insurance office across the street, "We see (the Hill Theatre improvements) as a piece of the puzzle that's going to help us restore that entire block face," Siddiqui said.

Oregon City —

The Downtown Oregon City Association (DOCA) received $100,000 to assist with two gateway projects affecting buildings along Main Street and Railroad Avenue.

Working with property and business owners as well as city officials, the Downtown Oregon City Association helped identify two areas for projects that will help make the downtown area appear more inviting to commuters entering the city from the south side, DOCA Executive Director Jonathan Stone told Patch Tuesday. Four buildings between Sixth and Seventh streets along Main Street and Railroad Avenue and the building on the corner of Highway 99E and Main Street will see upgrades, Stone said.

"There will be a series of smaller projects that will collectively make a big change," he said, noting the improvements include façade repairs and enhancements, painting, and lighting and signage improvements. "Basically we want the whole corner area to no longer feel like it's the backside and make it a more inviting pedestrian experience."

DOCA will see matching funds of more than $43,000 to assist with the gateway projects.

Portland —

Alberta Main Street received $100,000 to complete façade, first floor interior rehab, and energy efficiency improvements at its headquarters, located at 1722-1726 N.E. Alberta St. in Portland.

According to Alberta Main Street Executive Director Sara Wittenberg, the organization's headquarters is a two-story streetcar era building with ground-floor commercial and upper-level affordable housing owned by Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives.

The project will receive about $57,000 in matching funds.

To learn more about the Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant or the Oregon Main Street Network, visit www.oregonheritage.org or contact Kuri Gill at Kuri.gill@oregon.gov or 503-986-0685.

Photo Courtesy: Oregon Parks and Recreation Department