Vroom, Vroom: TD Urban Renewal putting the pedal down on new grant program
By Tom Peterson
Alice Cannon
Alice Cannon reported that four grants aimed at redeveloping The Dalles downtown business district have already been submitted, and there are another 11 in the pipeline since the Gateway Urban Renewal adopted the new grant program in April.
Thus far, all grant requests have been under the $50,000, Cannon told the Renewal Board on Sept. 20. Cannon is the former Planning Director for The Dalles who is now contracting to provide administration for the Urban Renewal district.
The new grants can range up to $700,000, and they are intended to bolster the local business district.
For example, the grants could help pay for a fire sprinkler system in a multi-use building, which would then allow for second stories of buildings to be used again for housing - a great source of passive income for a property owner.
The Renewal Board created the grants with the intent of putting current and future building owners in the driver's seat when it comes to reinventing properties for different uses including retail, food, beverage, lodging and residential opportunities.
“I definitely feel this package is the right way to go to increase the tax base and add employment,” said Darcy Long, Urban Renewal Chair, back in May. “Some of it will be renovation and some will be new construction like at the Tony’s site… this will move downtown forward, and the incentives will make a noticeable impact sooner rather than later.”
Cannon said 325 notices had been sent out to property owners in the downtown core to make them aware of the new grant program. To lean more, click here and click on Urban Renewal.
Cannon and City Attorney Jonathan Kara have also been discussing creating liens on properties owned by grant recipients for a period of 10 years to ensure those investments would not be removed from the buildings. Cannon said the liens were common in other communities with similar programs to ensure urban renewal investments are secure.
Urban Board Member Kathy Schwartz said she was in agreement with the 10-year-lien.
Urban renewal board members will vote on the lien proposal at a later date.
“This is an exciting time,” Cannon said. “With just 325 mailers, the amount of interest we received and positive comments have been very good.”
Click here to read CCCNew’s original story about the grant program.
Blue Building - 201 Washington Street - Final Payment
Here is a design concept of the 201 Washington Street buidling.
Cannon reported that Tony Zilka, owner of the building at 201 Washington Street, had made his final payment to Urban Renewal, which sold him the building.
“We got a check for $120,000,” she said. “I met with the property owner… and they will be applying for a grant as well.”
Zilka plans to transform the building into multi-use with commercial space on the street level and housing on the second floor. See the rendering above.
Tony’s Town & Country Demolition
Cannon reported The City is in line to receive a grant from the federal government to pay for asbestos removal from the Tony’s Town & Country building at 401 E. Second.
Urban Renewal purchased the building several years ago and is now on a path to demolish the building to create a shovel-ready site for a future developer.
Of the $750,000 estimated cost to demolish the building, $250,000 to $400,000, comes from asbestos removal, Cannon said. So, the federal Environmental Protection Agency money would greatly reduce the demolition cost.
Cannon said the grant will be awarded through the State of Oregon.
“We hope to release a request for proposal (for demolition and asbestos removal) this fall,” she said.
Recreation Building
This dusty 8-pound pin slapper sat on the last remaining seats at the Recreation on Second Street, The Dalles late last week. Demolition of the building is about done and will soon turn to construction in months to come. P.S. I threw that 8-pound ball for 8 straight gutters when I was 7. It was a personal best.
Cannon reported that Todd Carpenter and Carla McQuade had made strong progress in the demolition of the former bowling alley which abuts The Last Stop Saloon on Second Street.
Cannon said the sidewalk would be temporarily closed as they worked on the front of wall of the old building.
“Hopefully we will see visible progress on the new storefront soon,” she said.
First Street Upgrades
Cannon reported that The City is still attempting to terminate a grant with the Oregon Department of Transportation for the First Street upgrades after concluding the City could complete the project faster and cheaper without it.
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The designs for the streetscape are 90 percent done, and Cannon said she could start putting items before the Historic Landmarks Commission for approval while they wait on the termination process.
Urban Renewal Board Member Tracy Dugick asked Cannon how the First-Street upgrades meet the mission and goals of Urban Renewal.
Cannon said it was similar to contributions to greenways where an area becomes more inviting to locals and visitors by improving infrastructure and in turn supports the business community surrounding the area.
The First Street Project is a street reconstruction between Union and Laughlin Streets involving new utility lines, new fill material to reinforce the street, brand new sidewalks with ADA ramps, and new asphalt.
In addition, Cannon has said irrigation for trees along the street has been added back into the project. She also noted pavers, different than the ones on Second Street, will be used. She said Second Street pavers had faded quickly, leading her to use other material.
