Excellence in Downtown Revitalization Awards, Nov. 3

Three honored on South Coast – SALEM — Oregon Main Street announced its 2020 “Excellence in Downtown Revitalization” award winners recognizing outstanding achievements in local main street efforts between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020. For the first time, the honorees were announced with the release of videos of each of the individuals, businesses, and projects who received this prestigious award. The fifteen projects, businesses, & individuals honored are: Best New Business – Blaylock’s Whiskey Bar, Astoria (Award Video); Business of the Year – White Birch Design Co., Hillsboro. (Award Video); Best Adaptive Reuse – 640 2nd Building, Bandon (Award Video) Best Special Project went to Greater Bandon Association’s Greater Than Golf fundraiser. Sometimes extraordinary circumstances call on our local main street organizations to undertake initiatives that might not fall within their typical prevue. That’s the case with the GBA’s Greater Than Golf one-month fundraising campaign to create a relief fund for the caddies at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort which closed operations due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Over 350 caddies work at The Dunes four courses as independent contractors, making up as much as 15% of Bandon’s work force. Working with a core of concerned Bandon Dunes professionals, GBA raised $300,000 which was distributed to 259 eligible caddies. Best Placemaking Project – Beaverton Downtown Association’s CoSign Project, Beaverton (Award Video); Best Façade Renovation – Welcome Hotel, Reedsport (Award Video); Best Façade Rehabilitation went to the Welcome Hotel. One of the first buildings visible when entering downtown Reedsport on westbound Highway 38, it didn’t present a very inviting welcome due to its deteriorated condition. The second floor of the building was severely damaged in a fire about 25 years ago and windows were boarded up. It has been on the wish list of Reedsport Main Street for many years to see something happen. Enter a new property owner, Robb Crocker, with the vision and expertise to bring this building back to life. The façade improvement included restoring the entire façade as close as possible to the original 1925 appearance of the “Welcome Hotel” according to available records, including the transom windows which were partially funded through a grant managed by Reedsport Main Street. Best Upper Floor Renovation – B-Still Lofts, Albany (Award Video); Best Historic Preservation Project – Glass Tile Grant, Astoria (Award Video); Best Downtown Retail Activity – Drive Up Downtown, Albany (Award Video); Best Image Event – Downtown Oregon City Association’s 175th Anniversary Art Print, Oregon City (Award Video) Best Special Project – Greater Than Golf, Bandon (Award Video) Best Special Project went to Greater Bandon Association’s Greater Than Golf fundraiser. Sometimes extraordinary circumstances call on our local main street organizations to undertake initiatives that might not fall within their typical prevue. That’s the case with the GBA’s Greater Than Golf one-month fundraising campaign to create a relief fund for the caddies at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort which closed operations due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Over 350 caddies work at The Dunes four courses as independent contractors, making up as much as 15% of Bandon’s work force. Working with a core of concerned Bandon Dunes professionals, GBA raised $300,000 which was distributed to 259 eligible caddies. View award video. Outstanding Partnership – City of Klamath Falls (Award Video); Best Organizational Tool – Idea Sharing, Hillsboro (Award Video); Volunteer of the Year – Sophia Slack, Beaverton (Award Video); Board Member of the Year – Oscar Hult, Albany (Award Video); Main Street Manager of the Year – Beaverton Downtown Association’s Kevin Teater, Beaverton (Award Video); Oregon Main Street’s Excellence in Downtown Revitalization Awards were created in 2010 to recognize the efforts of those who work day-in and day-out to revitalize Oregon’s historic downtowns and traditional commercial neighborhoods. “What is particularly rewarding to see is how many individuals are giving their time, energy, and creativity to make their communities a better place,” said Sheri Stuart, state coordinator, Oregon Main Street. “Now more than ever it is important to celebrate our award winners. They serve as an inspiration to other communities. By their actions, they encourage others to join our Network to preserve the heart and soul of communities across our state. We thank them for their efforts and congratulate all our nominees on their achievements.” The wide range of awards is reflective of the comprehensive Main Street Approach® to downtown revitalization developed by the National Main Street Center. This model is used by the communities participating in the three-tier Main Street Track of Oregon Main Street Network. From 2010 to 2019, communities participating in the Performing Main Street and Transforming Downtown levels – the top two tiers – have seen $112.1 million in private building improvement projects, $109.8 million in public projects, 1,262 private rehab projects, 644 net new businesses, 151 business expansions and 3,885 net new jobs. In addition, 241,761 hours of volunteer time has been contributed to local main street organizations in the top tiers. Oregon Main Street is part of Oregon Heritage, a division of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. For additional information, visit www.oregonmainstreet.org.