Project rendering image credit: CBTwo Architects/Dylan Chavez, courtesy of Charles Weathers.

Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grants
$5 million in Funding Announced

Restore Oregon congratulates ALL the recipients of the Main Street Revitalization grants in every corner of our state including many rural main streets that really need all the resources possible!

With housing being such an important issue in every community, we were delighted to see five awards that contain a housing component, especially second story or upper floors in historic commercial districts!  Shout out to our friends in Salem, whom we wrote a letter of support, received a $200,000 grant for the Meyers & D’Arcy Buildings at 455 Court Street. Restoration of the property will not only enhance the historic integrity of the structures, but also be a welcome economic enhancement for downtown Salem complete with efficient, modern retail space and new housing.

We applaud all of these efforts from Astoria to Klamath Falls, Union to Reedsport.  GO Oregon Heritage and the Main Street Revitalization Grant program (read the press release below).

Images of current conditions courtesy of Charles Weathers

Grants Awarded for Main Street Projects Throughout the State

Oregon Heritage, a division of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, awarded 27 matching grants worth nearly $5,000,000 to Oregon Main Street Network organizations across the state for building projects that encourage economic revitalization. Projects range from façade improvement to basic facilities and housing with awards ranging from $62,930-$200,000.

The department funded applications that best conveyed the ability to stimulate private investment and local economic development, fit within the community’s long-range plan for downtown vitality, and community need. Oregon Main Street coordinator Sheri Stuart noted, “We have seen the impact of these funds the local Main Street organizations have brought to their communities on projects to date. We are excited to support this new round of projects and the potential to enhance and support downtowns across the state.”

Funded projects include:

  • Several projects will address a variety of preservation needs from window repair to electrical and plumbing including projects by Baker City Downtown, City of Reedsport, City of Maupin, Medford Downtown Association, Klamath Falls Downtown Association, Northeast Oregon Economic Development District for projects in Wallowa, Oregon Frontier Chamber of Commerce for a project in Spray, and Weston Area Development Association.
  • Several projects were for housing increases or improvements including projects Albany Downtown Association, Independence Downtown Association, Northeast Oregon Economic Development District for a project in Enterprise, Salem Main Street Association and St. Helens Main Street Alliance.
  • Façade restoration projects by the cities of Cornelius, Maupin, North Bend and Woodburn, Friends of La Grande Main Street, Oregon Frontier Chamber of Commerce for a project in Condon, and The Dalles Main Street.
  • Structural and roof prepare projects were approved for Albany Downtown Association, Astoria Downtown Historic District Association, Dallas Downtown Association, and McMinnville Downtown Association.
  • Projects by Harney County Opportunity Team and Pendleton Downtown Association will increase and improve lodging options.
  • New construction will be funded in Dayton.

The grant program was created during the 2015 legislative session and placed with the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office. The legislation established a permanent fund for the Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant and provided an initial infusion of funds from the sale of lottery bonds. The legislature included the Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant in the lottery bond package approved in 2021. If funded by the 2023 state legislature, there will be future grant rounds in the 24-25 biennium. The funds must be used to award grants to participating Oregon Main Street Network organizations to acquire, rehabilitate or construct buildings to facilitate community revitalization. The program also requires that at least 50 percent of the funds go to rural communities as defined in the bill.

To learn more about the Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant or the Oregon Main Street Network, visit www.oregonheritage.org.