Downtown Coos Bay Awarded Main St. Funds, May 3

Oregon Heritage, a division of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, awarded 30 matching grants worth $5,244,261 to Oregon Main Street Network organizations across the state for building projects that encourage economic revitalization. Projects range from façade improvement to housing and seismic upgrades with awards ranging from $56,731-$200,000. The department funded projects that best conveyed the ability to stimulate private investment and local economic development, and best fit within the community’s long range plan for downtown vitality. Funded projects include: Dallas Downtown Association will receive $200,000 to stabilize a key historic building already in use as a restaurant and retail space and add rooms for a cycling hostel on the vacant second floor. Many projects were for housing increases or improvements including $200,000 in Coos Bay for eleven new apartments, $200,000 in Cottage Grove for six apartments and retail upgrades, $149,751 for four new apartments in Klamath Falls, and $200,000 each for four new apartments in Tillamook and towards 10-12 new units in Woodburn. Revitalize Downtown Stayton will use a $200,000 award to complete façade improvements on seven of nine properties in one block of downtown. A $200,000 project in Enterprise includes apartments and complete façade restoration on the Litch Building. Roof and awning improvements will be made to five commercial buildings in downtown Reedsport with a $166,000 award. Several communities were selected for work to repair or restore their historic theaters: The purchase of the Alger Theater in Lakeview at $111,685; Liberty Theater façade and fire suppression at $100,000 in La Grande; and multiple improvements at the Columbia Theater in St. Helens. Other communities awarded grants include Astoria, Athena, Baker City, Bandon, Beaverton, Burns, Canby, Carlton, Estacada, Florence, Gold Beach, Harrisburg, John Day, Oregon City, Pendleton, Port Orford, The Dalles, Turner.