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St. Helens Main Street Alliance reports $1M+ in leveraged development since 2022, seeks renewed city MOU support
Summary
The volunteer-run St. Helens Main Street Alliance told council it has secured and supported more than $1 million in grant and matching investments since 2022, described recent projects and grant processes, and asked the city to revisit a 2022 memorandum of understanding that provided $30,000 for an executive director salary and other support.
The St. Helens Main Street Alliance presented its annual partner report at the May 21 work session, describing grant-funded downtown revitalization work, volunteer-run activities, and a request that the city revisit a 2022 memorandum of understanding (MOU) for ongoing support.
The Alliance’s board president (name not stated in the public transcript) said the organization — a 501(c)(3) that operates with volunteers — has helped secure multiple Oregon Main Street revitalization grants and related investments. He told council the organization has documented roughly $900,000 in direct grant awards plus approximately $263,000 in private-property matching funds, and said its tally puts total leveraged investment “north of a million dollars” since 2022.
The presentation highlighted completed projects that received grant funds, including stabilization and roof work at the Klondike building, work on the Crooked Creek (Dockside) building, and stonework and design elements on the Holton Hollow project. The board president explained that Oregon Main Street grants are reimbursable: property owners spend money, submit receipts to the Main Street Alliance, the Alliance verifies scope and submits to Oregon Main Street, and the state reimburses the Alliance which then pays the property owner.
The Alliance asked the council to revisit the 2022 MOU that had provided about $30,000 for an executive director salary, office space support, and a council liaison. The presenter said the group has operated without a paid executive director for about a year and a quarter and that the board intends to pursue more sustainable revenue (sponsorship structure and in-house staff) if the council and city can support a renewed MOU.
Council members and the presenter discussed grant timelines, local application scoring, and how the Alliance chooses projects to submit to Oregon Main Street; the presenter said the Alliance manages the local selection, compiles the application (often 60–75 pages), and then waits for the state review. The presenter also noted the organization had sold the Flying Eagle canoe to a private party for $1 after the city declared it surplus and transferred it to Main Street for that disposition.
No formal city funding decision was made at the work session; the Alliance asked for a renewed conversation about formalizing support and a council liaison presence.
