[OMS_MANAGERS] Loss of lottery bond sales eliminates funding for the Oregon Main Street Revitalization grant

[Baker City Downtown]

  Sad news! We had a few projects that would have been quite worthy of this
grant opportunity.
[image: Picture]
Baker City Downtown
P.O. Box 650
Baker City, OR  97814



On Fri, Jul 10, 2020 at 1:43 PM STUART Sheri * OPRD via OMS_MANAGERS <
oms_managers at omls.oregon.gov> wrote:

> *I am sorry to share this news, Sheri*
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> *OREGON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT*
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>          NEWS
> RELEASE                                                       July 10, 2020
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> MEDIA CONTACT:
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> Oregon Heritage
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> Kuri Gill
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> 503-986-0685
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> Kuri.Gill at oregon.gov
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> https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/HCD/Pages/index.aspx
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> *Loss of lottery bond sales eliminates funding for the Oregon Main Street
> Revitalization grant*
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> Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant funding was part of a 2019
> legislature approved lottery bond package scheduled for spring 2021. The
> sale of the bond package has been cancelled due lottery shortfalls from the
> impacts of COVID-19. Without the $5,000,000 expected from the sale or
> additional action by the legislature, a new round of grants can’t be
> awarded.
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> This is a devastating blow to Oregon’s 93 historic downtowns and
> organizations that participate in the Oregon Main Street Network. They have
> struggled these past several months to meet the challenges their
> communities are facing during the pandemic. They have been vital to the
> preservation of jobs, businesses, and community resilience. Many have
> already been preparing for the application process slated to open in
> January, 2021.
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> The grant program was created during the 2015 legislative session, and
> placed with the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office. The grant funds
> building acquisition, rehabilitation, or construction projects that support
> community revitalization in Oregon Main Street Network communities. The
> program also requires that at least 50 percent of the funds go to rural
> communities as defined in the bill.
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> The legislation established a permanent fund for the Oregon Main Street
> Revitalization Grant, and provided an initial infusion of funds from the
> sale of lottery bonds. Subsequent funding through the sale of lottery bonds
> was approved in 2017 and 2019. While the 2019 approved funding is now
> unlikely, the fund itself remains and can be replenished by other sources
> including other government and private funds.
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> The first two grants cycles resulted in awards for 56 projects in 37
> communities. Awards were spread all over the state, from Enterprise to
> Lakeview to Gold Beach to Astoria, and included 30 communities under 30,000
> population. Types of projects funded include:
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>    - Full restoration of several buildings, some decades vacant,
>    including the Central Hotel in Burns, Merwyn Building in Astoria, Mills
>    Garage in Independence, Au Franc Building in Port Orford, IOOF Building in
>    La Grande.
>    - Creation of new or improved residential units including eleven new
>    apartments in Coos Bay, six apartments and retail upgrades in Cottage
>    Grove, two projects to support a total of 24 units in Klamath Falls, 40 new
>    units in Astoria, four new apartments in Tillamook, renovation of five
>    apartments in Reedsport, three new spaces in The Dalles, and 10-12 new
>    units in Woodburn.
>    - Façade restorations including a model block program coordinated by
>    Revitalize Downtown Stayton that includes improvements on seven of nine
>    properties in downtown. Other facade improvements include the Litch
>    Building in Enterprise, Riviera Building in Astoria, Railroad Avenue
>    buildings and The Coin in Oregon City, Morris Miles & Co Building in
>    Newberg, and Alberta district in Portland.
>    - Structural and roof repairs including five properties in Reedsport,
>    two buildings in Baker City, the historic Masonic Building in Bandon, the
>    Hill Theater (antique store) in Hillsboro, the Bungalow Theater & Museum
>    building in Woodburn, and one building each in Dallas and Weston.
>    - Historic Theater acquisition and improvements including purchase of
>    the Alger Theater in Lakeview, and improvements to the Liberty Theater in
>    La Grande, Columbia Theater in St. Helens, OK Theatre in Enterprise, and
>    Rivoli Theater in Pendleton.
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> 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 at oregon.gov or 503-986-0685.
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> ###
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