Good economic growth news for the Bay Area continues. Within Coos Bay Mayor Joe Benetti’s weekly message to the city he talks about the positive things happening downtown and along Front Street. His report comes on the heels of another positive economic report earlier this week regarding downtown North Bend. From Mayor Benetti’s weekly newsletter: “At the last Urban Renewal Agency (URA) Board meeting, the Board approved two Improvement Grants for buildings in the Downtown District. The program operates in both the Downtown District and the Empire District to encourage improvements to existing buildings which in turn breathe new life into both districts. Property owners, or those renting/leasing with owner approval, can apply for an improvement grant which provides for up to a $25,000 match for projects costing at least $50,000. Each year, the URA sets aside dedicated funding for the improvement grant program. Since 2006, nearly 50 improvement grants have been awarded. Additionally, the URA produces an annual report that highlights each fiscal year’s funded projects, including improvement program grant projects. These reports can be reviewed on the City’s website and include before / after pictures of projects: https://www.coosbayor.gov/community/urban-renewal/ura-annual-reports. To find more information on the improvement grant program, visit the City’s website: https://www.coosbayor.gov/community/urban-renewal/urban-renewal-improvement-program. You can also contact the Improvement Grant Program Administrator Christine Sylvester at 541-269-8912 or administration@coosbayor.gov. In addition to the improvement grant program refreshing existing buildings, some in the community are taking on similar projects to bring new life to aged buildings. One such effort is currently underway on Front Street to revive the building at 161 Front Street. The building owner, Heidi Sause, has been working on a revitalizing this building and it is looking great! This building will be mixed use; commercial and residential. We are very fortunate to have so many citizens working to improve the look and feel of Coos Bay through investment in their buildings. Front Street continues to come back to life with the several buildings that have been improved, the addition of Coos Bay Village, the Food Trucks, and many other projects. All these efforts will partner well with the planned improvements included in the Front Street Blueprint that will be taking place over the next several years. Stay tuned!”
