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EDC to hold work session after mixed survey responses; staff outlines downtown investments and DMO RFP timeline
Summary
Commissioners voted to schedule a work session to address perceptions reflected in a downtown survey; staff summarized recent downtown investments, code changes and the DMO RFP timeline.
Roseburg Economic Development Commission members voted to schedule a work session to address community perceptions raised in a recent downtown survey and to discuss outreach and reporting strategies.
At the Feb. 27 meeting commissioners said several survey questions appeared "loaded" and that many business owners may not understand how transient lodging tax dollars are used. Commissioner comments emphasized education and proactive outreach; one commissioner moved to schedule a work session to develop outreach, goals and a timeline and the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.
Staff provided an extended summary of downtown investments and code changes intended to give commissioners context for outreach. Highlights staff cited included: $2.63 million in 2015 intersection improvements, 2018 upgrades to other intersections, roughly $320,500 spent on new antique-style LED lighting, a downtown facade grant program totaling $525,000 in private/public façade improvements, parking-structure upgrades and a mural program managed by Experience Roseburg. Staff also described code changes that allowed single-room-occupancy units and removed downtown density caps to encourage residential development.
Staff noted the City issued an RFP for the Experience Roseburg destination marketing organization (DMO) contract; the RFP is due March 5 and the commission will review submissions at its April 24 meeting and may forward a recommendation to the city council. Staff said the DMO receives a portion of transient lodging tax revenue to perform marketing and that commission members will receive details on the DMO funding and cap prior to the next meeting.
Commissioners recommended outreach options including spotlighting grantee successes, using the city's newsletter and social channels, inviting grant recipients to explain how funded events bring outside dollars into downtown, and coordinating with an emerging Main Street program. Staff agreed to circulate proposed dates via poll and to include the work session and grant-application revisions on the April agenda.
