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Board reviews visitor center readiness, staffing and costs
Summary
At its Aug. 19 meeting the Coral Creek Urban Renewal Agency reviewed the outfitting, wiring and staffing plans for a recently purchased visitor center, discussed near-term operating costs and considered how urban renewal funds and volunteers might support opening the space.
At its Aug. 19 Urban Renewal Agency meeting, board members discussed the status of a newly purchased visitor center and how the agency will staff and operate the space. Staff described completed purchases of furniture and a sign, pending internet wiring by a contractor, and several remaining steps before the building can open to the public.
The board heard a monthly financial overview that staff said shows starting fund balances, receipts and expenditures for July. "This is just the month of July," one staff member said while explaining the new monthly report intended to keep the board updated on urban renewal finances. Staff cited a purchase price of $150,000 for the building and multiple smaller line items for outfitting and signage.
Board members pressed on operations and staffing. "We went into this with the expectation that it was going to be an asset for the city and operated by the city," the chair said, raising concerns about who will manage daily hours. Several members named Main Street Myrtle Creek and the Chamber as possible partners; others proposed recruiting volunteers or coordinating with the library's volunteer pool to provide regular staffing.
Staff reported that SysTech has been contracted to install the internet connection and sign wiring and that furniture has been ordered and is on-site awaiting assembly. "We just signed the agreements today with SysTech... now they're scheduling that and so I'm thinking that'll happen fairly soon," a staff member said.
Board members and staff also discussed ongoing costs and funding. In the meeting staff described agency accounts and interest earnings; the presentation noted roughly $1.2 million in urban renewal funds and reported July interest income of $4,805. Some board members argued that subscription or software costs (one example cited during discussion was about $400 per month) should come from urban renewal funds rather than from outside donations or volunteer fundraising.
Members raised practical concerns about building features and public use: the conference room is sized for about 12 people, there is no on-site staff yet, and the building's restroom is located downstairs, which could limit some uses. Staff said the entry has no steps and that the center would be promoted as a small-group meeting space once it is ready.
The board agreed to continue moving preparations forward: finalize the SysTech installation schedule, assemble furniture, and bring questions about long-term funding and any necessary operating guidelines back to a future renewal meeting. The agency did not adopt a formal operating plan at the Aug. 19 meeting.
