[OMS_MANAGERS] Oregon Main Street Welcomes New Transforming DT Communities

[Roxana Grant]

Welcome

 

 

        Roxana Grant, M.B.A.

      Executive Director 

      Downtown Roseburg Association

      Cell:    541-430-7268

      Office: 541-673-3352

 

 

 

 

 

 

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From: OMS_MANAGERS [mailto:oms_managers-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us]
On Behalf Of STUART Sheri * OPRD
Sent: Thursday, February 04, 2016 9:17 AM
To: Oregon Main Street program managers
Subject: [OMS_MANAGERS] Oregon Main Street Welcomes New Transforming DT
Communities

 

NEWS RELEASE

                                                     

February 4, 2016


For Immediate Release

 

Media Contact:

Sheri Stuart, 503.986.0679

sheri.stuart at oregon.gov                                   

Oregon Main Street Welcomes New Transforming Downtown Communities

Salem, Oregon, February 4, 2016 - Oregon Main Street just accepted the
Beaverton Downtown Association and the Pendleton Downtown Association at the
Transforming Downtown level of Oregon Main Street. Communities participating
at this level have a high degree of commitment to using the Main Street
ApproachR as a model for their downtown revitalization effort. The Main
Street ApproachR is a comprehensive downtown revitalization program that
uses historic preservation as one of its most important tools. It is a
practical program that helps a community build on their district's unique
assets. 

When hearing the news, Fred Bradbury, president of the Pendleton Downtown
Association, stated, "The PDA Board and our Members are excited about the
opportunity to partner with Oregon Main Street and their staff. This
Nationally recognized program will provide tremendous support for downtown
Pendleton as we go forward in implementing our Strategic Plans."

Over the past few years, Oregon Main Street has seen an increased interest
in building a comprehensive downtown revitalization effort using the Main
Street model and a renewed awareness of the link between local heritage and
sustainable economic development across the state. Between 2010 and 2014,
communities participating at the Performing Main Street and Transforming
Downtown levels - the two highest levels in the OMS Network - saw an
increase of 295 net new businesses, 1,995 net new jobs, 719 private sector
building improvement projects representing $53.9 million of private sector
reinvestment.

"The Beaverton Downtown Association is very proud to have been accepted at
the Transforming Downtown Level to the Oregon Main Street Program," said
Paul Cohen, Chair of the BDA. "We have worked hard over the last five years
to take an aging downtown and transform it into a jewel of Beaverton, with
new restaurants, an Art Gallery featuring all local artists, and multiple
vintage shops all helping to attract people downtown. All of this would not
have been possible without the support of the City of Beaverton, the Oregon
Main Street Program, and our hard working volunteers."

Communities participating at the Transforming Downtown level must have a
cohesive core of historic or older commercial and mixed-use buildings that
represent the community's architectural heritage and may include compatible
in-fill. They must also have a sufficient mass of businesses, buildings, and
density to be effective, as well as be a compact and pedestrian-oriented
district.  

The primary emphasis of the Transforming Downtown level is to provide
technical assistance to program's in their formative years.  Acceptance into
this level allows communities to participate in training, community
assessments, technical assistance, the Oregon Main Street network, and
receive local capacity building support. There isn't a fee to participate in
the Oregon Main Street network. 

The selection process included submitting an application that describes
their community, downtown area, historical identity, goals, readiness,
support, and funding commitments.  

Currently, there are 82 communities in Oregon participating in one of the
four levels of the Oregon Main Street Network: Performing Main Street,
Transforming Downtown, Exploring Main Street, and Affiliate.  While not a
pre-requisite for acceptance at the Transforming Downtown level, both of the
newly designated communities were participating in the Oregon Main Street
Network.

 

Oregon Main Street is part of Heritage Programs in Oregon Parks and
Recreation Department, and is a designated coordinating program member of
the National Main Street Center. Oregon Main Street provides assistance to
all communities whether they are just beginning to explore options for their
downtown or are seeking recognition as an accredited Main StreetR town.

###

Local Contacts:

 

Paul Cohen, Chair, Beaverton Downtown Association

paul.m.cohen at downtownbeaverton.org 

Mobile: 503.803.6077

 

Fred Bradbury, President, Pendleton Downtown Association

fbradbury at yahoo.com

541.377.7474

 

 

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