Downtown improvement project officially launched

Defining downtown: La Grande Community and Economic Development Director Charlie Mitchell points to a map showing a conceptual boundary of the Main Street Program project area. The Observer/CHRIS BAXTER

“I want to compliment you for coming out and taking an interest in your downtown,” meeting facilitator Lisa Dawson told the crowd. “As an outsider, I always enjoy coming to La Grande. I think you’ve got a good asset to build on.”

The event marked the official start of La Grande’s participation in the Oregon Main Street Program, a state initiative that provides assistance to communities hoping to revitalize their central business areas Dawson, of the Northeast Oregon Economic Development District, and Charlie Mitchell, La Grande’s Community and Economic Development director, gave a program overview, signed up committee members and oversaw a brainstorming session on the boundaries of downtown.

“Main Street is a trademark name,” said Mitchell. “When you hear it, it connotes downtown.”

 The Main Street program is a national program developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which includes more than 1,600 cities in 40 states. La Grande was one of 10 communities selected by Gov. Ted Kulongoski last October to participate.

In some opening remarks, Mitchell said the entire city will benefit from the development of an attractive central district.

“The community’s core is represented in the downtown,” he said. “It’s not just a commercial district we’re focusing on, it’s a historical commercial district. It’s unique.”

Mitchell said one of the first orders of business should be to define the boundaries of the area. Those boundaries may change, but initially it is important to have an area of focus, he said.

discussing the details: Attendees of the Oregon Main Street program divide into smaller groups to discuss various aspects of developing downtown La Grande. The Observer/CHRIS BAXTER

Also at the top of the to-do list is the formation of committees. Mitchell said Oregon Main Street’s approach includes organization, promotion, design and economic restructuring. Committees are appointed for each of those tasks.

A core group has already been appointed to four-year terms on the Organization Committee. Mitchell said the Organization Committee will be the program’s primary driving force.

“It’s the glue that holds everything together,” he said.

Many volunteers are still needed. Mitchell said each committee will have five to seven highly committed core members, and others who will serve as they are able.

“People may come and go and get involved or not as they see fit,” he said as a volunteer sheet made the rounds.

Following opening remarks, people attending split into groups and worked at fleshing out the boundaries of the focus area. For a start, they were provided with a conceptual boundary that includes the already established historic district and the central business zone.

The conceptual boundary takes in Jefferson, Adams and Washington avenues and stretches from Third Street to Island Avenue. To the northwest, it juts out to Second Street.

The groups basically agreed with the boundary, though there were many suggested changes.

Some people, for instance, thought that Greenwood or Hemlock Street should define the boundary to the southeast. There was debate also on whether the area around the post office on Washington should be included.

Most of the groups said care should be taken to somehow gain exposure for businesses on the fringes.

“When we set the boundaries, I’d like to make sure those businesses are able to see the benefits,” said participant Janet Dodson.

Kathleen Cathey said her group favored starting with a compact area and adding to it as time goes on.

Dawson said the boundary issue needs more work before any formal decision is made.

“We won’t try to come to a consensus tonight,” she said.

As the meeting drew to a close, organizers noted that it was the first of many Main Street events scheduled for early 2009.

On Feb. 5-6, Main Street Program consultants will conduct a site visit and assess the downtown’s assets. Consultants also will be in town Feb. 26-27 to conduct committee trainings.

In the meantime, committee formation will continue. On Feb. 18, the La Grande City Council will consider appointments of core groups of the remaining three committees.

The Organization Committee will meet to discuss a comprehensive work plan Feb. 23.