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Commission recommends Main Street grant applications for two downtown projects
Summary
The Downtown Estacada Commission voted unanimously to recommend two projects — at 342 S. Broadway and 381 S. Broadway — for the Oregon Main Street revitalization grant, allocating $150,000 and $250,000 respectively from the city's $400,000 application package that the city will submit to the state.
The Downtown Estacada Commission voted unanimously Jan. 6 to recommend that the city submit an Oregon Main Street revitalization grant application that would allocate $150,000 to 342 South Broadway (the Helm property) and $250,000 to 381 South Broadway (Paris Fitness), for a total of $400,000.
The decision follows a multi-hour review of four submitted proposals for building rehabilitation and upper-floor reuse in downtown Estacada. Commissioners used a 60-point rubric to score each application, then discussed whether to recommend a single project or split the city's requested award among multiple projects. The panel ultimately voted to package the two projects and forward the recommendation to the state for consideration.
Commissioners said the vote reflected competing priorities: preserving historic fabric, re-activating upper floors, and encouraging pedestrian traffic and local businesses. Paris, the owner of 381 South Broadway, described her proposal as flexible. "We don't know what to do with it, to be totally honest," Paris said of 5,000 square feet of unused second-story space in her building. "Part of me feels like housing is cool, but there's also lots of apartments and more coming in Downtown Estacada. And so maybe it would be the opportunity to add 5,000 square feet of business space. I don't know. But I'm open to it."
Commissioners reviewed four applications: Cornelio's proposal for 255 and 267 SW Cedar (requested $400,000; proposed storefront renovation and housing); a proposal by Robert and Enoch Stalkup for 356 S. Broadway (foundation work and new second story for apartments; requested full amount); Kyle Helm's proposal for 342 S. Broadway (storefront renovation, interior and structural repairs; requested $150,000); and Paris's proposal for 381 S. Broadway (upstairs renovation and options for event, commercial space or apartments; requested $400,000). Panelists noted several recurring clarifications during the discussion: the Main Street grant will not cover demolition costs; applicants may co-invest up to 30%; the state's program sets the final award and scoring; and any city application can propose splitting the awarded funds among more than one project, up to the $400,000 cap.
During scoring, commissioners flagged missing detail in some packets (plans, square footage, and cost breakdowns) and emphasized the state's preference for historic-preservation work. They gave the Helm and Paris applications higher rubric totals (both scored 55 out of 60 in the packet review) and debated whether splitting the city's request among multiple projects would reduce the feasibility of any single project. Several commissioners also raised downtown parking and pedestrian-traffic impacts while weighing whether upper-floor housing or commercial reuse would better serve downtown vitality.
The motion recommending the two projects passed on a roll-call vote. The recorded aye votes included Hannah Smith, Heather Randall, Julie Cooper, Julie Colton, John Eichsenberger, Connie Redmond and Sherry Fox Hames. Commissioners and staff noted the recommendation is advisory: the city will assemble the final application for submission and the state will make awards from the Oregon Main Street program.
Commissioners also discussed next steps for applicants: providing complete application packets and cooperating on the city's submission. Staff reminded applicants that the Main Street application requires substantial documentation and that some applicants are planning concurrent applications to the URA program for matching funds. The commission asked staff to confirm which applicants plan to apply to the URA and to collect any additional materials needed before the city's submission.
The commission's recommendation will be included in the city's application package to the state. If the city receives an award, staff and successful applicants will need to provide expanded documentation to meet state grant requirements and to coordinate any local matching funds.
Votes at a glance: Recommend city application for Oregon Main Street revitalization grant totaling $400,000, allocated as follows: 342 South Broadway (Helm) — $150,000; 381 South Broadway (Paris) — $250,000. Outcome: approved (unanimous roll call).
