Commissioners review downtown openings, temporary food-truck permit and Wi‑Fi, and Riverwalk progress

Commissioners received a series of downtown business and infrastructure updates focused on new openings, merchant priorities and permitting.

Nicole Weedy, the city’s community liaison, said a communications hire freed her to focus on events and outreach and that spring activities include town halls and seasonal events. She reported local commercial activity: a pharmacy inside Safeway is under construction with permits submitted and "we believe that will be sometime in April," staff said.

Staff reported that a shawarma food truck has been authorized to operate on private property under a 180-day temporary use permit (TUP) and that conditions include an approved site plan, business license, health-district clearance and a fire inspection. "They're operating under a 180-day TUP," staff said, and commissioners confirmed the city has no formal food-truck policy yet; the permit was handled as an accessory use with conditions.

City staff also updated commissioners on the Riverwalk: bridge work and plantings remain to finish the current phase, and the city acquired a boarded blue house on Railroad that is slated for demolition this week to make way for expansion. Staff encouraged coordination between city event producers and downtown merchants and noted the Chamber's merchant survey identified downtown Wi‑Fi, more events and improved lighting on Falls Avenue as top priorities.

Commissioners agreed to pursue more merchant coordination, including possible joint meetings with the Ridge merchants, and to pass merchant-survey results to staff and the consultant working on the creative-economy plan.