>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

La Grande will become a part of the Oregon Main Street Program, according to a decision Wednesday night by the city council.

During its regular monthly session at City Hall, the council gave City Manager Robert Strope the go-ahead to apply for membership in the state-run program, which provides cities with training, technical assistance and grants for downtown revitalization.

“It’s taken a long time to get to this stage, but it’s exciting to be here,” Mayor Colleen Johnson said. “With the addition of a city economic development director, this should be a very good thing.”

During a goal-setting session in February, the council named economic development, with an emphasis on downtown revitalization, its top priority for this year.

The city is in the process of hiring an economic development specialist who will coordinate efforts, including Main Street Program participation.

The Oregon Main Street Program provides assistance, training, technical services and grants to communities who want to preserve and revitalize their downtown commercial districts.

The program was started in 2008 to rebuild and grow the successful Main Street Program that operated from 1986 to 2002.

It is operated by the state Economic and Community Development Department, and coordinated with the National Main Street Center, a division of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

In May, Gary Van Huffel of the OECDD and Linda La Plante of the National Trust appeared in La Grande for a two-day seminar on the program.

Subsequently, the city sent OECDD a letter of intent to participate. The council’s action Wednesday gives Strope authority to make formal application to the program. The application is due Friday.

The program requires active participation from businesses, civic groups and individuals. Strope said Wednesday the community is on board.

“We’ve received 10 letters of support and by all accounts and feedback there’s great support for this,” he said.

Some volunteers have already signed up for committees, and the Downtown Renaissance group has agreed to play a prominent role in program organization, Strope said.

In other business Wednesday, the council denied Jack Gruszczynski’s appeal of a decision to allow the city fire department to install a training facility including a prefabricated house for smoke training purposes.

On July 8, the city planning commission approved the fire department’s request for a conditional use permit to locate the training facility on fire department property next to the fire hall.

Gruszczynski had objected on grounds that the smoke may be harmful to his health and that of other residents. Fire Chief Bruce Weimer countered that theatrical smoke would be used and that health risks are low to non-existent, and that the department would take precautions against exposing residents.

The planning commission approved the permit. It required there be no open burning at the facility, that exercises in the prop house involving smoke will be conducted with the structure closed, and that exhaust fans will direct smoke away from residences.

Also, the commission gave itself the option to revisit the permit in a year and require the smoke be filtered if necessary.

In Wednesday’s appeal hearing, Weimer again offered data that harmful effects of theatrical smoke are minimal to non-existent.

Gruszczynski was not present for the public testimony portion of the hearing, and the council reluctantly put the matter to a vote without his input.

“I’m sorry the appellant isn’t here. I’d really like to have his side of it,” Councilor Steve Clements said.

Gruszczynski showed up after the council rendered a decision to deny the appeal. After consultation with Strope, the council decided it would be inappropriate to re-open a hearing after a formal decision had been made.

Strope said Gruszczynski has the option of appealing the matter to a higher authority. Also, he can take advantage of the permit condition allowing the planning commission to review of the permit and require smoke filtering.

In still more business during the meeting, the council:

• Accepted a draft action plan submitted recently by the Substance Abuse Advisory Commission.

• Approved a list of proposed improvements from the Union County Arts and Cultural Center for the Carnegie Building.

• Accepted a memorandum of understanding with the La Grande Police Association.

• Adopted a resolution establishing a permit application process and fees and inspections for building demolitions.

• Approved an agreement for consultant services on large lot commercial and industrial lands analysis.