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Commissioners consider tools used elsewhere to reduce vacant storefronts on St. Helens Main Street
Summary
At a March 12 joint meeting, commissioners and councilors discussed a mix of enforcement, registration and incentive approaches to address downtown vacant and underutilized storefronts, and agreed to revisit Main Street’s prior inventory and invite Main Street representatives to present.
Planning commissioners and councilors discussed strategies to address vacant and underused storefronts on March 12, 2025, reviewing examples from other Oregon and Washington cities and urging coordination with Main Street and the Chamber.
Why it matters: Participants said prolonged vacancy and neglected storefronts harm downtown appearance, affect neighboring businesses and reduce tourism appeal. The group explored registration and fee systems, maintenance standards for vacant properties, incentives and coordinated outreach to property owners.
Key points from the discussion
- Examples from elsewhere: Jacob and others cited King County practices that require storefront registration, fees, maintenance standards and penalties for prolonged vacancy. Participants also discussed Astoria, Hood River, Baker City, Prineville and Ridgefield as models for revitalization and design programs.
- Distinguishing vacancy and underuse: Several participants noted a practical difference between truly vacant buildings and properties that are underutilized or used for storage. That distinction matters for enforcement and incentives; one participant said some property owners will claim a space is in use even if it is not functioning as a storefront.
- Practical measures discussed: Ideas included a voluntary or mandatory registration for vacant storefronts, minimum maintenance standards (paint, clean windows), targeted outreach by Main Street to property owners, and using historic signage or window displays as interim treatments to improve aesthetics.
- Next steps: Participants asked staff and commissioners to re‑examine past Main Street inventories and to invite Main Street or regional peers to present their past work. One commissioner volunteered to reach out to Main Street to reinitiate coordination.
Ending
The group did not adopt any new rules at the meeting but agreed to revisit Main Street’s earlier inventory, seek presentations from Main Street and regional peers, and pursue coordinated outreach and research on registration and incentive models.
