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North Bend Main Street program to seek state revitalization grants for building repairs and small housing conversions
Summary
North Bend Main Street representatives told the council they will submit up to two Oregon Main Street revitalization grant applications: a multi‑property "Stronger Spaces" package for commercial building repairs and a separate application tied to a potential conversion that would add several housing units over a downtown business.
Representatives of North Bend's Main Street program asked the City Council on Feb. 10 for authorization to submit revitalization grant applications to the State Historic Preservation Office through the Oregon Main Street program.
The first proposed application, called "Stronger Spaces," would compile ten downtown projects that address noncompliant building systems, failed heating units, ADA barriers and commercial hood or suppression system work. Main Street staff said these are reimbursement grants (state pays 70%, applicant 30%) and that Main Street must be the applicant; the program vets projects and then forwards a composite application to the state.
The second proposed application concerns a prospective buyer of the Liberty Pub building who has proposed adding four housing units above the existing commercial space. The Main Street representative said that acquisition requests in this program require a contract that restricts sale for a period (the state typically includes long recapture/retention terms) and that applicants must commit to building and occupancy timelines if awarded.
Main Street staff told the council they received a strong local response to an outreach call and had 10 qualifying pre‑applications for the "Stronger Spaces" package. They asked council support to submit those projects and to allow staff to submit a second application for the Liberty Pub acquisition/housing conversion if the buyer proceeds.
Councilors signaled support and asked staff to place the Main Street packet on the consent agenda for the next council meeting; staff said the program office and state encouraged the city to submit two applications this round because more grant funds were available than in past cycles.
Ending: The city will consider the Main Street grant(s) on the next council agenda and, if authorized, Main Street staff will submit the composite application(s) to the state. If awarded, the state will contract with Main Street for grant management and disbursements.
Why this matters: The grants could fund building safety, accessibility and small‑scale housing projects downtown; Main Street must apply as a city‑affiliated pass‑through and the awards carry reimbursement and long‑term restrictions for recipients.
