Salem, Oregon, April 24, 2018 — Oregon Main Street just accepted the Downtown Estacada Commission at the Performing Main Street level of the Oregon Main Street Network in recognition of their efforts to use the Main Street Approach® as a model for their downtown revitalization efforts. The Main Street Approach® is a comprehensive downtown revitalization program that uses historic preservation as one of its most important economic development tools. It is a practical program that helps a community build on their district’s unique assets.
When hearing the news, Nancy Hoffman, Main Street Manager, Downtown Estacada Commission, stated, “The Main Street program has helped the Estacada Development Association and now the Downtown Estacada Commission focus on revitalizing downtown Estacada. We are proud that every step has brought our downtown closer to our vision for a vibrant, thriving community.”
Estacada joins Albany, Alberta district in Portland, Astoria, Corvallis, La Grande, McMinnville, Oregon City, Roseburg, and The Dalles at the premier level of Oregon Main Street.
“We are very excited to have Estacada move to the Performing Main Street level. They are our first very small town to achieve this status,” said Sheri Stuart, coordinator, Oregon Main Street. “It has been exciting to watch the progress they have made over the past few years to engage community partners in revitalizing their historic downtown.”
Over the past few years, Oregon Main Street has seen an increased interest in building a comprehensive downtown revitalization effort using the Main Street model and a renewed awareness of the link between local heritage and sustainable economic development across the state. Between 2010 and 2017, communities participating at the Performing Main Street and Transforming Downtown levels – the two highest levels in the OMS Network – saw an increase of 647 net new businesses, 3,367 net new jobs, 1,258 private sector building improvement projects representing $97.2 million of private sector reinvestment.
Communities participating at the Performing Main Street must have a cohesive core of historic or older commercial and mixed-use buildings that represent the community’s architectural heritage and may include compatible in-fill. They must also have a sufficient mass of businesses, buildings, and density to be effective in implementing a comprehensive revitalization effort, as well as be a compact and pedestrian-oriented district.
Acceptance into these levels allows communities to participate in training, community assessments, technical assistance, and receive local capacity building support. There isn’t a fee to participate in the Oregon Main Street Network. Communities participating at the Performing Main Street level are also eligible for recognition as an accredited community by Main Street America™.
Currently, there are over 80 communities participating in one of the four levels of the Oregon Main Street Network: Performing Main Street, Transforming Downtown, Exploring Main Street, and Associate. While not a pre-requisite for acceptance at the Performing Main Street level, Estacada previously participated at the Transforming Downtown level.
Oregon Main Street is part of Heritage Programs in Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, and is a designated coordinating program member of Main Street America™. Oregon Main Street provides assistance to all communities whether they are just beginning to explore options for their downtown or are seeking recognition as an accredited Main Street® town.