The Dalles urban renewal board to consider Granada grant, help paying fees for new business
By Tom Peterson
The Dalles, Ore., Oct. 19, 2026 — The Dalles Urban Renewal Agency will consider a $21,600 grant for the Granada Theatre and a new program to help businesses pay system development charges at its 5:30 p.m. meeting Tuesday, Oct. 20.
The proposed commercial assistance program aims to remove a financial barrier for businesses opening, expanding or changing how they use existing buildings. Under city rules, a change in use can trigger system development charges (SDCs) even when a building is already operating. Those fees can run into thousands of dollars, adding a significant upfront expense for a business trying to get started.
For example, a downtown restaurant that wants to open a bar in the back portion of its existing building could face new system development charges if the change in use increases the fees assessed by the city. The proposed program would help eligible businesses manage those costs rather than leave them to absorb the full charge before opening.
The agency would provide up to $15,000 per project for eligible city water, wastewater, transportation and stormwater SDCs within the Columbia Gateway/Downtown Urban Renewal Area. The agency would pay the city directly, and applicants would not need matching funds. Businesses would still have to meet program criteria and show they could cover remaining project costs.
The assistance would count toward existing Incentive Program limits, including a $300,000 maximum in total support per property. The proposal would use existing appropriated funds, without increasing the agency’s budget or maximum indebtedness.
Applicants who paid eligible commercial SDCs between July 1 and Oct. 20 could seek reimbursement by Dec. 31, subject to city verification. Recipients would have to put the approved commercial use into lawful operation by a specified deadline or generally repay the assistance.
Granada Theatre seeks $21,600
Granada Owners Chuck Gomez and Debra Liddell unveiled their new marquis in July 2025, marking one of the key improvements to the theatre. The couple are now seeking assistance for safety improvements from Columbia Gateway Urban Renewal.
The agency also will consider a grant of up to $21,600 to Charles Gomez and Debra Liddell for safety and accessibility improvements at the Granada Theatre, 223 E. Second St.
The proposed project budget is $44,300, with the applicants contributing an estimated $22,700. Staff identified $26,800 in eligible theater improvements. Curtain treatment and renovations to an existing second-floor apartment would be privately funded and excluded from reimbursement.
Eligible work includes fire and life-safety improvements, accessibility upgrades, doors, electrical work and structural repairs. The applicants say the Granada hosts nearly 50 local nonprofit organizations and community programs.
The property previously received up to $50,000 in Incentive Program assistance. Approval of the new grant would bring total awards to $71,600, requiring board consideration under the program’s property-specific review threshold.
The staff report says $3.584 million is budgeted for property rehabilitation in the 2026-27 fiscal year and funds are available, subject to appropriation.s
About Columbia Gateway Urban Renewal
Board members: Marcus Swift, Timothy ‘Mac’ McGlothlin, Jill Amery, Walter Denstedt, Scott Hege, Kristin Lillvik, Bets Stelzer and Benjamin Wring.
Agency Manager: Jacob Anderson, who also serves as the city’s Economic Development Officer.
