Oregon Main Street announced its 2015 “Excellence in Downtown Revitalization” award winners Tuesday night, Oct. 6, at the Oregon Main Street Conference in The Dalles. Eighteen projects & individuals received honors, including some from the Coast: Outstanding Partnership * Bandon’s Cycle Stop Project; Volunteer of the Year * Performing Main Street: Dulcye Taylor, Astoria Downtown Historic District Association; Best Business Development Project – The Greater Bandon Association, Port of Bandon, City of Bandon, and a local bicycle shop collaborated in the creation of a cycle stop in Old Town Bandon. It is part of a joint campaign to make Bandon more bicycle-friendly. Each of the partners played major roles in this project. The Port of Bandon donated the land and helped secure grant funding from Oregon’s Department of Transportation, as well as providing an inmate work crew from the Oregon Department of Corrections. The Greater Bandon Association provided the design work and also assisted in securing grant funding from Cycle Oregon. The City of Bandon provided site preparation and added the finishing touches with a street light for security and benches. South Coast Bicycles then got the word out to the cycling community in Oregon. * Astoria Downtown Historic District Association’s NEDTalks. “These award winners represent the creativity and hard work taking place across the state to strengthen our downtown communities,” said Sheri Stuart, coordinator, Oregon Main Street. “We are pleased to recognize them for their dedication and commitment to creating vibrant communities, and growing Oregon’s economy while preserving their history and enhancing their sense of place.” The Awards Presentation was a highlight of the Oregon Main Street Conference, a popular conference that brings together people with an interest in downtown revitalization. The Dalles Main Street Program and The City of The Dalles hosted this year’s event, which included sessions on how to create a compelling story about revitalization efforts to attracting and retaining the creative class and from rethinking retail space to learning the do’s and don’ts of historic rehabilitation.
