Individuals from within the Oregon City business community are banding together to improve the atmosphere, appearance, and mix of businesses in downtown Oregon City.
City Commissioner Daphne Wuest, an early proponent of the group, believes there will be widespread support for this new organization. “The organization will be instrumental in defining what our community wants to see happen to our historic downtown area, and how we can improve it. We want to build on its uniqueness and see what we can do to enhance the charm, and bring businesses and shoppers back.”
A group of 11 people from within the community have already volunteered to serve as interim board members until the first annual meeting. Selecting officers, writing bylaws, and determining a budget are some of the first organizational tasks the group will undertake.
The group will use the “Main Street Approach” to downtown revitalization, which has been used successfully in over 1,600 communities across the country. Its focus is in four areas: organization, promotion, design, and economic restructuring. Some of the activities the organization might undertake include strengthening the mix of businesses, preserving the historical characteristics of downtown buildings, making the core area more pedestrian-friendly, business recruitment and retention, and coordinating promotional events throughout the year.
For more information please visit the links at the top of this paghe or contact Elizabeth Fowler at 503-722-9400 x 101. General program information may also be found at the Oregon Economic & Community Development Department Website.
