Tigard advisory commission outlines housing, business and parking priorities in annual report

The Town Center Advisory Commission presented its annual report and strategic plan to the Tigard Town Center Development Agency board and City Council on March 4, urging continued funding for housing and downtown business development and identifying pedestrian connectivity and parking as top priorities.

The commission, represented by Chair Gabriel Hill Velasquez and vice chair Bob Tomasovich, said its 2025 priorities build on last year’s work: continued support for affordable housing and shelter projects, additional incentives to attract and retain businesses in downtown Tigard and the Tigard Triangle, implementation of a downtown wayfinding plan and completion of Hall Boulevard jurisdictional transfer and improvements.

“City council’s continued support for affordable housing … helps our local businesses,” Elise Shearer, a commission member, said. The commission noted it recommended development-assistance grants of $500,000 for the CIPA Woodland Hearth project and $200,000 for Just Compassion; both awards were acknowledged at the meeting. Commission members also reported ongoing involvement with Family Promise renovation work and other stakeholder groups supporting shelter and wraparound services.

Commission members pressed for increased, more accessible façade and tenant-improvement grant funding for small businesses entering downtown and the Triangle. Business owner and commission member John Goodhouse described grants that are currently capped and said the $75,000 tenant-improvement cap for downtown openings “doesn’t go very far” for restaurants because of costs such as grease traps and utility hookups.

The commission reviewed downtown connectivity goals including Hall Boulevard improvements, 72nd Avenue design briefings and Rock Creek Trail connections; it reported a preferred wayfinding design and said implementation could begin this fiscal year. Commissioners said better lighting on trails and clearer signage to existing parking could extend visits and support businesses.

Members discussed outreach and program design changes to make grants more accessible to small-business owners who may not know the programs exist or who lack upfront capital for required matching funds. “If they’re having to put up $150,000 and then later get paid back $75,000, that’s going to be hard,” Goodhouse said, urging options that reduce the upfront burden on applicants.

Commissioners also discussed prioritization for limited funds and said they would prefer more resources overall rather than reallocating money from housing to business development. The board and councilors urged the commission and staff to pursue clearer metrics and responsibilities in the 2025–26 strategic plan and recommended working with the Town Center Development Agency and staff on outreach, data collection and targeted recruitment of businesses.

City leaders thanked the volunteers and asked staff to return with opportunities to coordinate wayfinding with parking signage and to explore strategies to market Tigard to prospective businesses and visitors.

The joint meeting portion concluded and the council reconvened for the next agenda item.