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Oregon City commissioners urge more information before committing funds to Caring Place project
Summary
At an Oct. 15 work session, Oregon City commissioners discussed the Caring Place, a multi-service facility planned at 15th and Main, raising concerns about late engagement, downtown impacts, and whether the city should offer symbolic or financial support; no formal funding decisions were made.
Oregon City commissioners held a work session Oct. 15 to discuss the Caring Place, a multiservice facility proposed for 15th and Main Street that will include a day shelter, clinic space, workforce services and a planned community court presence.
The discussion centered on what, if any, financial or operational support the city should offer. Commissioners repeatedly said they were not consulted early in the project’s development and asked for more information before committing municipal funds or using city tools such as system development charge (SDC) waivers or urban renewal dollars.
Mayor Mary McGriff opened the item as a commission work session and framed the topic as part of the city’s broader goals on homelessness. Multiple commissioners described frustration that the county-led coalition advanced the project to the point of demolition and construction before the city had meaningful input.
Commissioner Michael said the priority now is minimizing downtown impacts and suggested targeted help rather than funding construction: “If there's a way that we can financially support grama or security…
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