[OMS_MANAGERS] Vacancy Fee

[Dawn Mills]

Hi,

We'd be interested in more data on this and other approaches. Currently 50% of our Main Street business district is being lived in or storage. Not all buildings are kept up either.

What ordinances are helping with this issue?

Thank you,
Mrs. Dawn Mills
Riddle Downtown Development
________________________________
From: OMS_MANAGERS <oms_managers-bounces at omls.oregon.gov> on behalf of Executive Director <executivedirector at downtownmedford.org>
Sent: Saturday, April 4, 2026 4:19:42 PM
To: Oregon Main Street Network Members <oms_managers at omls.oregon.gov>
Subject: Re: [OMS_MANAGERS] Vacancy Fee

I decided to investigate this. I found these two recent articles. I like what Pendleton is doing. Invite people to the table to plan and discuss, rather than imposing a fee right off the top after so many days. This opens a conversation to understand the property owner's, city's, and community's needs.
Portland (April 4, 2026) - https://www.koin.com/news/portland/leaders-vacant-building-fee-downtown-stakeholders/

Great idea - Pendleton (Dec 17, 2025) - https://www.opb.org/article/2025/12/17/pendlteon-oregon-building-owners-vacant-rent/

Annie


Did you miss the March Newsletter... read here<https://mailchi.mp/downtownmedford/dma_march2026newsletter>


Annie Jenkins, Executive Director

Downtown Medford Association

Mobile | 541-941-5204

Email | executivedirector<http://goog_2121433655>@downtownmedford.org<http://@downtownmedford.org>


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On Thu, Apr 2, 2026 at 3:28 PM Quinn Haase <quinn at astoriadowntown.com<mailto:quinn at astoriadowntown.com>> wrote:
Also something I’ve been grumbling about to my City Manager. If anyone has any data on this being implemented effectively, I’d sure like to know.

-Quinn

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________________________________
From: OMS_MANAGERS <oms_managers-bounces at omls.oregon.gov<mailto:oms_managers-bounces at omls.oregon.gov>> on behalf of Jacobs, Christopher <Christopher.Jacobs at corvallisoregon.gov<mailto:Christopher.Jacobs at corvallisoregon.gov>>
Sent: Thursday, April 2, 2026 3:25:07 PM
To: Oregon Main Street Network Members <oms_managers at omls.oregon.gov<mailto:oms_managers at omls.oregon.gov>>
Subject: Re: [OMS_MANAGERS] Vacancy Fee


I don’t believe its been established as legal in Oregon.



Christopher Jacobs, CEcD

Economic Development Manager



City of Corvallis | Community Development



501 SW Madison Avenue, Corvallis, OR 97333

PO Box 1083, Corvallis, OR  97339-1083

541-231-1203 Cell Phone
541-766-6339 Office Phone



Christopher.Jacobs at corvallisoregon.gov<mailto:Christopher.Jacobs at corvallisoregon.gov>



From: OMS_MANAGERS <oms_managers-bounces at omls.oregon.gov<mailto:oms_managers-bounces at omls.oregon.gov>> On Behalf Of Executive Director
Sent: Thursday, April 2, 2026 3:19 PM
To: Oregon Main Street Network Members <oms_managers at omls.oregon.gov<mailto:oms_managers at omls.oregon.gov>>
Subject: Re: [OMS_MANAGERS] Vacancy Fee



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We do not but our city has been talking about it. So I would be interested in knowing who does.



Annie


Did you miss the March Newsletter... read here<https://mailchi.mp/downtownmedford/dma_march2026newsletter>



Annie Jenkins, Executive Director

Downtown Medford Association

Mobile | 541-941-5204

Email | executivedirector<http://goog_2121433655>@downtownmedford.org<http://@downtownmedford.org>



If you like Downtown Medford then

Like us on Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/dmamedford/> | Like us on Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/downtownmedfordor/>

Sign-up for our Newsletter<https://downtownmedford.org/subscribe/> + Become a Friend or Partner of Downtown<https://downtownmedford.org/partner/>





On Thu, Apr 2, 2026 at 3:10 PM City Club Forest Grove <cityclubofforestgrove at gmail.com<mailto:cityclubofforestgrove at gmail.com>> wrote:

Hello,

Does anyone use a vacancy fee in their city to minimize or dissuade building owners to keep their buildings vacant?



Thank you,

Donna Gustafson, President

Downtown Association of Forest Grove<https://www.downtownforestgrove.com/> (formerly City Club of Forest Grove)




Disclaimer: This e-mail message is a public record of the City of Corvallis. The contents may be subject to public disclosure under Oregon Public Records Law and subject to the State of Oregon Records Retention Schedules. (OAR:166.200.0200-405)
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