The federal Historic Tax Credit (HTC) has been an essential source of funding for the restoration and revival of over 100 historic buildings across Oregon. Without the HTC, the vast majority of these projects – along with their jobs and community uplift – would not have happened. The HTC has returned a 25% “profit” to […]
Future Success Secured
In the past year, Restore Oregon has made great strides towards protecting and preserving the places that make Oregon livable and sustainable. This is an update on two of the places that were on the 2016 list of Oregon’s Most Endangered Places and have now progressed toward the ultimate goal of a long-term viable use. The […]
What's Going On Up There?
Across Oregon, people are flooding back into historic downtowns. Younger generations are searching for an authentic experience in where they choose to live and work while retiring Oregonians are looking to downsize to vibrant centers with plenty of easily accessible options for shopping, dining, and recreation. Communities across the state are hoping to take advantage […]
Newberg Recognizes Historic Survey as Economic Stimulant
Newberg is following in the footsteps of towns like Astoria that recognize their historic buildings are economic assets as well as local cultural icons. The Newberg Graphic recently published this article discussing Newberg’s historic survey project to document their historic downtown buildings. A website was created to house findings of the survey, along with a […]
The JS Cooper Block: From a Diamond-in-the-Rough to Main Street Gem
The JS Cooper Block is the architectural cornerstone of Independence’s well-preserved historic downtown. Built in 1895, the building represents Independence’s history as a hub for pioneers who arrived on the Oregon Trail, and its subsequent prosperity as an agricultural community. The building’s original owner, JS Cooper, was a prominent banker who later became a key […]
My Love Affair With Restore Oregon
When I was involved with efforts to save the Dr. Pierce Barn in Cottage Grove, I was in a highly charged, impassioned state most of the time. Darn it, I CARED about saving this old barn! We formed a group of ordinary citizens, called ourselves People Who Love the Barn, and set out to stop […]
Historic theaters: potential economic engines face challenges
A new report on the condition and needs of Oregon’s historic theaters reveals them as potentially significant economic engines as well as cultural touchstones in communities small and large. But they’re challenged by deferred maintenance and other financial and organizational needs, for which the report provides specific recommendations. Nearly a year of research resulted in […]
Oregon Main Street Update – July 2015
It is rewarding to see the amazing accomplishments of the Oregon Main Street Network communities over the past few years in breathing new life into their historic downtowns using the nationally recognized Main Street Approach® to preservation-based economic development. Main Street programs and communities have a vital role to play in ensuring that the historic […]
10 Reasons to Support the Revitalize Main Street Act
The most important thing we can do to save more historic places and bring Oregon’s historic downtowns back to life is to PASS THE REVITALIZE MAIN STREET ACT Many of Oregon’s traditional downtowns are at a tipping point, half-empty, with their historic facades in urgent need of repair and restoration. Thankfully, there is a small army […]
Energy Efficiency on Main Street
Energy efficiency: everyone knows the phrase, but what does it really mean? Pacific Power, in collaboration with the Oregon Main Street Program and Energy Trust of Oregon, recognized the need to reach out to small commercial property owners and businesspeople with this question. They partnered with Clatsop Community College’s historic preservation program to create […]