Philomath council backs weekly 'Fridays on 13th' pilot, allocates $1,000 for summer

The Philomath City Council on May 27 agreed by consensus to launch a weekly street-closure pilot, branded in staff materials as "Fridays on 13th," and to set a tentative kickoff for the third Friday in June, June 26, city staff said.

City staff member Chris, who presented the proposal, told the council the program aims to "transform Downtown Philomath into a welcoming gathering space where residents can reconnect with neighbors, support local business, [and] enjoy a relaxed evening close to home." He described the pilot as a family-friendly, low-pressure series of Friday evening gatherings that would close a half block of 13th Street to vehicle traffic and prioritize pedestrian activity.

Why it matters: Councilors emphasized that a recurring weekly event could create predictable routine and stronger word-of-mouth growth, while also asking city staff to limit amplified music, large vendor markets and other elements that could make the program feel like a festival rather than a neighborly gathering. Councilors also flagged safety, parking and restroom access as issues staff should manage before and during the early events.

Logistics and partners: Staff said Sentilson's Bank agreed to open its lot for event parking, and that public works could initially place a public-works vehicle and barricades to create a visible and physical barrier for the closed block. On longer-term options, staff described investigating retractable bollards to provide a more permanent separation.

On sanitation, staff presented two porta-potty service options: a $198 monthly service with scheduled weekly servicing, or a $205 per-event drop-off charge. Chris proposed modest community-engagement support funds and said, "If we could commit to, like, $500 this year to put on a few things," but the council settled by consensus on a $1,000 allocation for the summer pilot to cover restroom service, signs and small materials.

Frequency and timing: Council members debated weekly events versus a less frequent schedule. Several members favored weekly to build momentum; others recommended starting in off-weeks relative to other events (graduations, Music in the Park) or beginning the series after a short lead-up for outreach. The council reached consensus to start the weekly series the third Friday in June—staff identified June 26 as the tentative kickoff date—while allowing staff to avoid scheduling conflicts with graduations and July 4 activities.

Safety and community concerns: A councilor suggested additional police presence in adjacent neighborhoods during early events while the city gauges impacts. Staff also noted nearby businesses’ concerns about restroom use and staffing; some downtown businesses indicated they did not want to take on barricade duties but were generally supportive of the concept.

Funding and next steps: The council agreed to authorize $1,000 from the community support fund to underwrite the initial pilot season; councilors asked staff to return with clarified parking counts, a signage and inclusivity plan (including multilingual welcome signage), porta-potty placement and servicing schedule, and a simple outreach plan before the first event. The council confirmed upcoming meetings (budget meeting June 10; regular council June 8) and ended the special session after a brief extension.

Quotations: "I believe Fridays on 13th Street will transform Downtown Philomath into a welcoming gathering space where residents can reconnect with neighbors," Chris said during his presentation. On funding, a councilor asked, "So consensus for $1,000 for the summer?" and the council indicated agreement.

What happens next: Staff will finalize logistics, confirm parking and restroom arrangements, and publish outreach materials and a schedule ahead of the June 26 tentative start date. The council did not record a formal roll-call vote; decisions were made by consensus at the special meeting.