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Sweet Home council seeks options to reduce downtown vacancies; staff to compile inventory and research supports
Summary
Councilors discussed a long‑standing downtown vacancy problem, reviewed a 2023 vacancy figure and community survey responses, and asked staff to prepare an updated property inventory and research grant and incentive options; no ordinance or fines were proposed.
At a Sweet Home City Council work session, councilors discussed strategies to reduce downtown commercial vacancies and asked staff to prepare an updated inventory of city‑owned properties and vacant storefronts and to research potential funding and incentive options.
City staff reminded the council that, as of 2023, there were 23 vacant buildings on Main Street and Long Street and noted that the downtown vacancy reduction goal had been on the council work plan in prior years without firm staff proposals. A councilor reported the city’s community survey drew 398 responses, of which 189 mentioned downtown empty buildings.
Councilors’ views diverged on tools the city should use. Several councilors favored “carrot” approaches — grants, low‑interest loans or other incentives to help owners and prospective tenants make code and interior renovations. Other councilors said it is not the municipality’s role to direct private property owners to renovate or sell and opposed fines or regulatory “stick” approaches. Several councilors suggested the council look at other cities’ programs, including coordinated loan programs and downtown revitalization partnerships, as possible models.
Staff told the council that external grant opportunities often require matching revenue streams; Sweet Home’s dedicated economic development revenue (previously used for the SEAP program) has largely been depleted, and rebuilding a dedicated fund would take time and new funding decisions. Councilors asked staff to investigate grants and to clarify what local match requirements would be needed.
As actionable direction from the work session, councilors asked staff to compile (1) an updated inventory of city‑owned properties, (2) a current list of vacant storefronts downtown, and (3) a menu of incentives and grant options with cost and match estimates for council consideration. Because this was a work session, councilors made no formal policy changes or votes.
