[OMS_MANAGERS] Notes: OMS Mornings on Main Weekly Call

[STUART Sheri * OPRD]

Thank you to everyone who were able to join our weekly check-in call this morning and to our wonderful e.d. from Beaverton, Kevin, for facilitating the discussion. Here's the notes:


  1.  Protests: several of our communities did have groups protesting over the weekend in light of the recent horrific loss of George Floyd's life. In Klamath Falls, they experienced protests for two separate issues one on water rights and the other for Black Lives Matter. Astoria also had protests but not in downtown. And Beaverton's was by invite only. This led to a discussion on what main street organizations can and should do in terms of messaging in troubled times. There is a desire to be welcoming to all, supporting the right for freedom of speech, but also respecting the business and property owners who have invested so much in their communities. Darin shared the messages from Klamath Falls Downtown Association:

a. https://www.facebook.com/DowntownKFalls/posts/10156758389722924

b. https://www.facebook.com/DowntownKFalls/posts/10156784008557924


?  Please share your organization's messaging, or thoughts on what the messaging should include, and we will be put together your collective thoughts for discussion by your boards.


  1.  Updates on how communities are using the new RAP framework:
     *   Greater Bandon Association has used it first w/their Economic Vitality Committee as an overlay to discuss their strategic plan. They see it being of most use for their Promotion Committee.
     *   Klamath Falls Downtown Association will also be using as an overlay. In some areas as a check list to make sure they assessed what they need to and for others they will take pieces and do more work.
  2.  Re-opening experiences:
     *   West Linn's Willamette Ale & Cider House relooked at their original business plan which was to produce Ale and Cider. They closed their restaurant portion for now and are partnering with a local pizza place where people can order a pizza and have it delivered to their table. Also, they had to find a new home for the Farmers Market because of a street construction project underway. The Cider House has a large area in the back (a former nature center) which will be the new home.
     *   Business closures: starting to see a few in the network but some aren't related to Covid but other personal or business circumstances. This is something we want to pay close attention to. Conversely, some businesses who were able to expand services have been holding their own or even doing better than ever.
     *   Beaverton Downtown Association also has an example of a business planning on partnering. The wine bar will have info on each table of nearby restaurants people can call to order for delivery to their table. The wine bar just opened outside seating on Monday and had a busier day than ever.
     *   Greater Bandon Association shared that Bandon is slowly but surely re-opening w/about 70% of establishments now open. However, there have been some negative Facebook posts from visitors on their experiences when merchants are just trying to follow protocols which is offset by other feedback this is quite positive.
     *   Lebanon Downtown Association reported that Conversion Brewing is working with the City to use adjacent Strawberry Plaza for extra seating. Businesses are now open again and people are coming back downtown.
     *   Lakeview Community Partnership is seeing a political divide in terms of folks both wanting to comply with protocols like wearing face masks and others that don't want to. With a surge in visitors over the holiday weekend, they have their first 2 covid cases and 1 presumptive so a little fear is creeping back in. LCP bought 200 cloth face masks w/funds from TFFF to provide to downtown business owners and employees. Sources for PPE":

                                                    i.     PPE resource list: https://www.oregon4biz.com/Coronavirus-Information/PPE.php is now live on Business Oregon's website: www.oregon4biz.com<http://www.oregon4biz.com>. It is a list of PPE manufacturers or distributors they collected that may be helpful for Oregon small businesses to source from as they ready to reopen. These companies have provided the information to Business Oregon, but they have not independently verified company capabilities or inventories. People need to contact these companies directly if they are interested in purchasing or working with them. Business Oregon's next step will be the Connectory resource which will also be live soon. The Connectory is a larger list that includes more businesses up and down the supply chain of PPE manufacturing and distribution, while this list is focused on companies that can provide PPE in smaller quantities directly to small business right now as they work to reopen.

                                                   ii.     Ginger's source: Vanson's, Kim van der Sleesen, 508-678-2000  Masks are $3 each plus shipping.  Takes about 3 days to ship.

                                                  iii.     Here's the source Rebecca w/Historic Willamette is getting for their Farmers Market - https://covidguardfund.com/  They are the surgical masks, not cloth, and cost 50 cents each.

  1.  New ventures:
     *   Historic Willamette is working with a realtor who is doing short videos on the history and the community. He did a segment on their Farmers Market and made a of the Main Street Approach(r): Click Here<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqG4ORQVvLI&t=9s> to view.
     *   Lebanon Downtown Association has started their virtual "space walks" to showcase opportunities downtown. Right now they are posting on Facebook but plan to post on youtube: Click Here<https://www.facebook.com/events/796-s-main-st-lebanon-or-97355-3208-united-states/live-virtual-space-walk/256285612275556/> to view.
     *   Reedsport Main Street is doing their second round of virtual gift card giveaways featuring the mayor spinning a big wheel. The cards go to school lunch recipients and businesses that have been closed.
     *   Greater Bandon Downtown Association is seeing businesses that were formerly cluttered make interior merchandising improvements to meet social distancing protocols. This is leading to better flow. Restaurants are also looking at sidewalks and parklets for seating.
  2.  Good news to share:
     *   Greater Bandon Association received funding from the city - one of three to receive the maximum amount the city had to offer local organizations.
     *   Klamath Falls City Council approved a couple new policies on allocating funds to the many competing organizations requesting funds. One of the policies, economic development, called out downtown economic vitality and support of downtown business and property owners which is an important stance to KFDA and for the good work they do.
  3.  Question:
     *   Sarah Lu in Astoria asked for feedback on using rent relief as match for URA dollars for building improvements. Thoughts for Sarah Lu?
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