[OMS_MANAGERS] Downtown Update - April 2026 Newsletter

[La Grande Main Street Downtown]

Email from La Grande Main Street Downtown April 2026 Newsletter LA GRANDE MAIN STREET DOWNTOWN About Us Support Our Mission Greetings! Spring has fully arrived in La Grande, with trees leafing out in every shade of green, blossoms drifting on the wind, and flowers opening across town—even as the weather keeps us guessing. Last month’s Shamrock Shuffle landed on one of those classic late-winter days, but a dedicated crowd still turned out and made it a great event. Next up: Downtown Clean-Up Day on April 25, featuring a few new additions this year, and the inaugural Main Street Monday Neighborhood Downtown Coffee on May 4 from 9:30 to 10:30 AM at the Press Room. It's going to be a lovely spring!   BEHIND THE SCENES AT LA GRANDE MAIN STREET DOWNTOWN While La Grande Main Street LGMSD is known for its signature community events, some of our most important work happens behind the scenes. One key role we play is supporting local property owners through the Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant (OMSRG), a statewide program created in 2015 to help communities restore and reactivate historic downtown buildings. Administered by Oregon Heritage, OMSRG invests in preservation-based redevelopment that strengthens rural downtowns. Projects must demonstrate community benefit, economic impact, and a commitment to historic preservation. Eligible improvements include rehabilitation, adaptive reuse, façade restoration, and code-compliance upgrades—work that helps historic structures remain active, useful, and vibrant. Last year, LGMSD celebrated a major OMSRG success: Nate and Tami Conklin received a $400,000 grant to revitalize the historic Hand Ford building on Chestnut Street. Their project will transform the former dealership into a multi-use destination featuring: An upscale restaurant and bar A rentable community kitchen for local food entrepreneurs An entertainment zone with virtual golf, a virtual shooting range, and potential ax-throwing lanes A food truck pod with space for up to seven rotating vendors Renovation is underway, with phased openings planned. Once complete, the development will offer new opportunities for dining, entertainment, and entrepreneurship--bringing fresh energy to the heart of downtown La Grande. Downtown Resident Survey  La Grande Main Street Downtown is once again inviting residents of the downtown district to share their perspectives through the Downtown Resident Survey, which is still open for participation. With nearly 200 people calling the neighborhood home, this survey remains an important opportunity for those living in the heart of La Grande to help shape future priorities, improvements, and initiatives. Your insights continue to guide our efforts to make downtown an even more welcoming, livable, and connected place. You can still take the survey by scanning the QR code above or visiting www.lagrandemainstreet.org. Thank You Renewing Partners Thank you to our partners for renewing their memberships for this year! A tip of the La Grande Main Street hat to Community Merchants and Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation – La Grande.. With your membership renewal, you are playing a vital role in creating an inviting, sustainable downtown rooted in La Grande’s history and culture, providing a dynamic center for commercial and community activities. Committee Notes The Outreach Committee has been hard at work updating the LGMSD brochure and website, planning the June 13 Brunch, and preparing for the annual Banquet, which will include volunteer recognition. They are also focusing on volunteer recruitment to support upcoming projects and events. The Economic Vitality Committee is currently conducting the Downtown Residents Survey and continues preparations for the Downtown Opportunity Tour scheduled for May. They are also assessing staff support needs for future initiatives. The Promotions Committee reviewed the success of the Shamrock Shuffle and is now deep into planning for Crazy Days, which will feature this year’s theme: “Stars, Stripes, and Summer Nights.” They are reaching out to vendors and providers of fun activities for the 66th Crazy Days celebration. The Design Committee met with potential partners to discuss next steps for the Art Alley project. Their work now includes gathering cost estimates, outlining the artist selection process, and seeking Board approval to collaborate with the La Grande Arts Commission. CLEAN UP DAY ON APRIL 25  Downtown La Grande is gearing up for its annual Spring Clean Up Day on Saturday, April 25, and local businesses and building owners are invited to help give the historic district a fresh start for the season. Participants are encouraged to clean sidewalks, weed tree wells, wash windows and doors, and spruce up storefronts to welcome spring visitors and shoppers. To support the effort, the City of La Grande is providing free mulch for downtown tree wells, available from a mulch trailer parked at Adams Avenue and Depot Street during the event. As part of the cleanup weekend, the City reminds downtown residents and business owners to blow leaves and debris into the street on Sunday night. Street sweepers will be out early Monday morning at 3:00 AM, and organizers stress the importance of keeping Adams, Washington, and Jefferson clear of parked vehicles overnight so sweepers can move through efficiently. With everyone pitching in, the district can make a strong, clean start to the spring season. Community members can also take advantage of a free tire disposal event happening on the same day. La Grande Rotary, Les Schwab Tire Center, and Eastern Oregon Athletics are partnering to collect unwanted tires on April 25 from 9:00 AM to noon at the EOU Community Stadium parking lot at 6th Street and G Avenue in La Grande. Residents may drop off up to four unmounted car or light‑truck tires, as well as tires for one-ton or smaller vehicles. Tires with rims, tractor tires, and large truck tires cannot be accepted. It’s an easy way to clear out clutter and contribute to a cleaner community. For more information on the downtown cleanup, please call 541-963-1223. MAIN STREET MONDAY NEIGHBORHOOD DOWNTOWN COFFEE La Grande Main Street Downtown has invited our downtown community to gather for a warm and welcoming start to the week at our upcoming Main Street Monday Neighborhood Coffee on Monday, May 4, from 9:30 to 10:30 AM at The Press Room, 1124 Washington Avenue. This casual morning meetup offers a chance to learn about upcoming façade grant opportunities, share ideas for making our downtown even more inviting, and connect with fellow business owners and neighbors, all the while enjoying complimentary drip coffee. Hosted by La Grande Main Street Downtown, a proud member of Main Street America, this hour of conversation and collaboration is a simple way to stay engaged and help shape the future of our historic district. Reservations are appreciated. To reserve your space or if you have any questions, please call Jeanne Williamson at 503-433-5922. Have an event coming up that you’d like La Grande Main Street Downtown to help share? We’re launching a monthly “Goings-On in Downtown La Grande” roundup in the Newsletter and would love to include your happenings. Call us at 541-963-1223 or email lgmsdsocial at gmail.com with your event details (and graphics, if you have them). April Activities at Cook Memorial Library Storytime is Thursdays, April 23, and 30 at 10:30 AM in the Story Circle. Join us for songs, stories, and crafts.   Bright Beginnings is Wednesdays, April 22, and 29 at 10:15 AM. A movement and music class for children 0-3 and their caregivers. Please text Olivia at 541-786-2259 to register.   Earth Day Extravaganza, “Into the Woods with Chemistry,” is Wednesday, April 22 from 4 – 5 PM. The EOU Chemistry Club will lead participants in hands-on science activities for kids.   A new program for adults, Fiber Art Friday, began on April 17. Meeting from 5 – 6 PM, adults are invited to bring portable, new or work-in-progress fiber art to work on and socialize. Fiber Art Friday will meet regularly on the third Friday of the month.   Spells & Stars Book Club meets Saturday, April 18 at 3:00 PM. The book up for discussion is “The Last Unicorn,” by Peter S. Beagle. New members welcome. This book club meets the third Saturday of the month.   Create a Poetry Zine together! Adults are invited to come together to create a Poetry Zine on Friday, April 24 from 5 – 7 PM. Facilitated by Gregory Rawlins.   Visit our StoryWalk© at Riverside Park along the Greenway and the Linda Elegant Memorial StoryWalk© at Birnie Park. Books are sponsored by local individuals, families, and businesses.   Discover and Go: Cultural Passes are available with a library card. Free passes are available for the Children’s Museum of Eastern Oregon, OMSI, the Columbia Gorge Museum, and more! See the link from the library’s webpage. Provided by the Libraries of Eastern Oregon.   Get weekly updates on events, the latest additions to our collections, and more with our newsletter through Wowbrary. Visit wowbrary.org to sign up.   All library activities are free and held at Cook Memorial Library at 2006 4th Street in La Grande, unless otherwise noted. Visit CookMemorialLibrary.org, follow the library’s social media pages, or call 541-962-1339 for details. We're always looking for volunteers! Give back to your community through work on one of our main committees (Promotion, Design, Economic Vitality, or Outreach) or help downtown clean up, or a specific event! Click HERE to see all the different opportunities Interested in being a Partner? Learn more about our impact in the community and our available partnership levels on our website here. LGMSD Partners Ad Dad Allied Mortgage - a division of Mann Mortgage LLC Anderson Perry Associated Design and Engineering BELLA Mercantile Benchwarmers Pub & Grill Birddog Glass Blue Summit Realty Blue Mountain Outfitters Brent Clapp Media Cam Credits Carol Summers City of La Grande Clanktronix/The Archives Claudson's Sew and Soak Community Kindness of Eastern Oregon Community Merchants Connected Professional Accountants LLC Country Financial, Paul Swigert Direct Music Source Dirty Girls Detailing Edge Home Finance - Team Klebaum Edward Jones - Shawn Mangum Eastern Oregon University Eleven Fifteen Salon Elkhorn Media Group Evermine Labels Fairway Independent Mortgage Fit Fuel LG Fitzgerald Flowers Flying Cloud Gifts Grande Ronde Hospital Guyer and Associates JC Woodworks K Voelz Wines La Grande Theatres Les Schwab Tire Center Longbranch Lucy's Boutiques at the Market Place Underground Mary Ann and Arlan Miesner Merlyn's Catering MJ Goss Motors Monkeys On The Run Mountain Valley Therapy Mountain Works Nate Conklin State Farm Nature's Pantry Nicole Haggerty Northwest Furniture & Mattress OTEC Peak Lifestyle Studio Perky's Play Cafe Raul's Taqueria RE/MAX Real Estate Team Rob's Speedy Delivery Rosewood Cottage Scott's Heating and Air Side A Brewing Spokane Teachers Credit Union Sure Shot Virtual Range Sorbenots Tap That! Growlers, LLC The Potter's House The Royal Clothiers Timothy Bishop Travelodge Union County Chamber of Commerce/Tourism United Finance Wheatland Insurance Williamson Insurance Yuri Books ​Ziply Fiber   Upcoming Events   Contact Us     Share This Email Share This Email Share This Email About Events Calendar Projects Contact La Grande Main Street Downtown | 102 Depot St | La Grande, OR 97850 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice
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