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Posted by Lloyd Purdy on 19 January
Things you should know about downtown Oregon City.
A mill town in transition. For 166 years downtown Oregon City at the foot of Willamette Falls has been a place that reflects Oregon’s roll up your sleeves work ethic. Call it what you want — throughput, results, tenacity, persistence and an unwillingness to surrender no matter how great the pressures are Oregon City exemplifies it.
Our downtown is an authentic urban historic commercial district which makes for a wonderful backdrop for business, commerce, innovation and entrepreneurism.
State of the Street
- 38 New Businesses Opened Downtown since 2009.
- Average $1 Million each year in Building Restoration & Property Investment.
- More than $2.5 Million in public infrastructure improvement “bricks and mortar” in 2011.
- $80,000 in public art projects initiated since 2009.
- The downtown marketplace trade area includes 411,257 visitors.
- Downtown employs the equivalent of 1,000 full time employees.
- More than 70,000 drivers pass through downtown daily.
Downtown Goals for 2012
- One building restoration/rehab.
- A New Build project initiated downtown.
- Introduction or residential capacity.
- Two New Restaurants.
- Two New Retail Businesses.
- Two New Office/Professional tenants.
- Elevator – external improvements and artistic lighting.
- Activated Streetscape with facade improvements (4), events (3) and improved streetscape.
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Posted by Lloyd Purdy on 5 December
Here’s a highlight of special holiday activities hosted by downtown businesses.
At Winestock
LIVE MUSIC WITH TORCH SONG TRILOGY, FRIDAY DECEMBER 16th, 7-10pm NO COVER!
Torch Song Trilogy is a musical trio, led by vocalist, Michelle Lipka who is complimented by a stand-up bass and keyboard. As their name implies, the repertoire is made up of slow, jazzy, blues music, influenced by Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Eva Cassidy, Linda Rondstand, Barbra Streisand, K.D. Lang, Bonnie Raitt, Jewel and Sarah McLachlan. The band will be having a fun Christmas show with trivia and holiday songs as well as jazz standards
LIVE MUSIC WITH THE TRI-TONES, SATURDAY DECEMBER 17th, 7-10 pm
Last year, the Tri-Tones recorded a Holiday CD which included a CD release party at Winestock. We are doing it all over again this year. CD’s available at the shop, local music makes an excellent stocking stuffer and a must have in your Holiday music collection. Join us for a great night of live and local music. NO COVER. CD’s $10
At Coffee Rush
Winter SOULstice Talk, December 16th and 17th at 6 p.m. 900 Main Street
Listen to stories of the holiday season. Learn about the symbolism and superstition associated with the Winter Solstice. Free and open to the public in a warm and friendly environment.
The Winter SOULstice talk at Coffee Rush will be followed by a Winter SOULstice Spirit Walk at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for children 13 and under. Call William at 503.381.2521 for reservations.
A night of wish making an ornament decorating, December 18th 3 – 5 pm, 900 Main Street
Bring friends and family to share the hoy of makingyour very own wish list and to personally deliver it to Sanra or decorate an ornament for your Christmas Tree. This is a free event and hot cocoa will be provided.
At Busch Family Furniture Store
All month long, $10 off of every $100 spent on a piece of furniture on your holiday wish list.
On 8th Street
Winter Farmers Market, Saturday December 17th. Find fresh local produce for your holiday meal.
At The Holding Cell in the Verdict Bar and Grill,
Wednesday December, 14th 5- 8 pm Join us as we say thank you to our customers for a great year! Complimentary pint of beer or glass of wine and sample a selection of free appetizers as well. Door Prizes & Facility tours. We’ll also be collecting donations of non-perishable food items for H.O.P.E in Oregon City
More events will be posted as we are notified by downtown merchants and businesses.
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Posted by Lloyd Purdy on 30 November
Saturday Dec. 3rd 2011 4:30 to 6 pm – Liberty Plaza, Downtown Oregon City
Join your friends and family for a holiday evening of music and fun in downtown Oregon City. Plus, the little ones can visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and the whole family can visit downtown’s restaurants and retailers.
Liberty Plaza next to the County Courthouse will come alive with lights, music, friends and family on Saturday, December 3rd, 2011 beginning at 4:30 pm. Visitors to Liberty Plaza will also be treated to refreshments from: Coffee Rush, Wrightberry’s Cupcakes and Munos Bakery.
See You Downtown for the Holidays.
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Posted by Lloyd Purdy on 18 November
Get into the holiday spirit with the Winter Market on 8th Street right here in downtown Oregon City this Saturday, November 19th from 10 am to 2 pm. Details can be found on the market’s website http://orcityfarmersmarket.com/ . This is a great opportunity to prepare for the Thanksgiving Holiday by shopping the Winter Market.
8th Street Saturday Farmers Market - all winter long in Downtown OC.
The Winter Market on 8th Street has grown since last year to showcase 30+ farmers and vendors selling seasonal foods (perfect for Holiday shopping and gifts) including produce from 5 local farms, meats, salami, cheese, pickles, preserve trees and wreaths for the Holidays…..plus hot food , drinks and live music.
So, spread the word to your friends and family about the Winter Market on 8th Street and stop by for a visit.
See You Downtown – for the Holidays,
Lloyd Purdy
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Posted by Lloyd Purdy on 7 November
Two-way traffic soon to be restored to downtown marketplace.
Within the next two weeks, downtown Oregon City’s Main Street will convert back to a two-way street. Based upon two years of work that includes a range of downtown revitalization efforts, Federal and ODOT grant funding, as well as recommendations by numerous consultants, the City of Oregon City will stripe a new center line down Main Street in order to return the street to its original circulation flow.
A video animation produced by Funnelbox Production Studios in downtown Oregon City guides visitors through this new circulation pattern.
A two-way Main Street simplifies the circulation system in downtown Oregon City and provides more efficient access to on-street parking and side streets in the downtown core. The biggest change this year will be along Main Street between 6th and 9th Streets, which had been a one-way stretch of road when downtown was host to Clackamas County’s administrative offices.
“A two-way Main Street works in downtown Oregon City because we’re welcoming visitors off of 99E and making driving downtown a more simple and intuitive process,” said Lloyd Purdy, Director of the non-profit downtown revitalization program MSOC. “Downtown Oregon City is evolving into a retail and restaurant friendly marketplace, not just a center for creative professionals.”
A two-way Main Street circulation system will connect future development on what used to be 1st through 5th Street (currently Willamette Falls Development Site) to the downtown core and to infill development opportunities north of 10th Street. “A two-way Main Street becomes a unifying characteristic of our downtown marketplace,” said Purdy. “It’s a physical connection that benefits all downtown.”
The conversion back into a two-way Main Street wraps up the first phase a multi-phase, multi-year project that could ultimately culminate in more than $4 million in streetscape enhancements downtown from 5th to 15th Streets. The City of Oregon City working with ODOT and the non-profit downtown revitalization program, Main Street Oregon City, competed for and was awarded nearly $2.4 million in Federal and State funding for streetscape improvement infrastructure projects focused on making downtown Oregon City more pedestrian and visitor friendly.
An animated video illustrating the new circulation system of downtown Oregon City can be seen by clicking here.
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Posted in Home, News & Press
Posted by Lloyd Purdy on 1 November
Hometown Hero and Artist Lee Kelly Installs Major Commissioned Public Art in Downtown Oregon City
A monumental scale polished stainless steel sculpture created by internationally recognized artist Lee Kelly is scheduled for installation in downtown Oregon City on November 1st.
Unveiling ceremony on Saturday, November 5th at 10 am on 8th Street in Downtown Oregon City.
Sculptor Lee Kelly is an internationally recognized artist with a career that spans 55 years http://www.leekellysculpture.net/. Last fall, his work was honored with a career retrospective exhibit at the Portland Art Museum. Based upon a $36,000 fundraising effort by the Rotary Club of Oregon City, Lee Kelly has been commissioned to create a unique piece of public art to be located at the foot of Singer Falls off of 8th Street in downtown Oregon City.
Lee Kelly (center) & Moontrap Intstall Crew on Nov. 1st
“When a downtown attracts a well known artist like Lee for a public art project, it’s a clear sign that good things are happening,” said Lloyd Purdy, director of the downtown revitalization program in Oregon City. “Public art like Lee’s sculpture ‘moontrap’ welcomes visitors, speaks to residents, memorializes anniversaries, and engages the community.”
Lee Kelly has lived in the area since the 1960’s. According to Clackamas County Arts Alliance Director Cheryl Snow, this will be Kelly’s first significant public artwork in Oregon City. Lee’s work on moontrap is also unique because of his close collaboration on this piece with his daughter Kassandra. The unveiling of this collaboration will be Saturday November 5th at 10 am at the base of Singer Falls.
Singer Falls in downtown Oregon City is a Works Progress Administration (WPA) era project that serves as a physical reminder of Oregon City’s history and heritage. As a gateway between “uptown” and “downtown”, Singer Falls is also an important connective corridor for Oregon City. Support for this public art is derived from an Oregon City METRO Enhancement/Beautification grant.
Public Art Project in Downtown Oregon City funded by Rotary and an OC METRO Enhancement grant.
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Posted in Home, News & Press
Posted by Lloyd Purdy on 18 October
Monday, October 31st, 2011 from 4:30 to 6:30 – Downtown Oregon City
Downtown Oregon City will be up to it’s old tricks again with the annual Trick or Treat on Main Street event on Monday October 31 2011 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Join your friends, and gather your family for an eerily good time in downtown Oregon City.
This annual event brings several hundred kids – and their parents – downtown for an evening of fun. Don’t forget to remind your family, friends, ghosts and ghouls to join us.
Join us for an eerily good time in Downtown Oregon City
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Posted by Lloyd Purdy on 2 October
New Changes in an Old Downtown.
Our 166-year old downtown continues to evolve into a modern marketplace. Keep an eye out – especially when driving downtown. Main Street will be returning to a two way street in the very near future.
A two way Main Street is more visitor friendly, more intuitive to drive, and supports higher level of restaurant and retail activity.
This Fall Main Street Oregon City will return to a two-way street.
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Posted by Lloyd Purdy on 25 August
Downtown Car Show: fueled by Columbia Insurance and Busch Family Furniture.
From 10 am to 4 pm, Main Street Oregon City will be bumper-to-bumper with cars, trucks and motorcycles of all types, makes and models. Join us for a fun day downtown.
Last year this event attracted more than 250 vehicles and about 3,000 visitors. We expect this year to be bigger and better.
Drivers are encouraged to enter Downtown Oregon City
via 12th or 14th Streets.
Visitors are welcome to park for free in the City Parking Lot at 13th and Main as well as on the bluff – go ahead and enjoy the elevator ride into downtown.
Registration fees from entry vehicles are used to fund charitable activities in Oregon City.
Join us downtown for another great event on September 17th.
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Posted by Lloyd Purdy on 24 August
Request for Qualifications and Proposals for Public Art to be located in downtown Oregon City.
The non-profit Main Street Oregon City is providing $13,000 to one artist or a team of artists for public art to enhance Oregon City’s downtown.
Deadline for applications and proposals is September 30th, 2011.
History, Goals and Objectives:
The Selection Committee envisions artwork that will enhance and define the cultural expansion and growth of downtown Oregon City and support the welcoming of visitors and residents alike. In addition to special activities including First Friday Art Walks, First City Celebration, Oregon City Antique Fair and Classic Car Show annually, downtown Oregon City is undertaking street enhancement projects to make downtown a viable and exciting place to visit. This public art project will enhance that energy, excitement and fun aspect of our downtown. For more context and information visit this website as well as www.bluecollarcreative.org.
We seek artwork that:
- Welcomes visitors to downtown Oregon City.
- Is publicly accessible to the greatest extent possible, both in how it is viewed and experienced.
- Demonstrates outstanding craftsmanship and provides the highest quality artwork available to satisfy the goals above.
- Enhances our community’s identity as defined above and pride in our community.
- Refers to, symbolizes and/or suggests one or more of the following qualities:
- Convening and bringing people together in building and defining community pride.
- Vision – dreams of what possibilities can happen with the cultural development of downtown.
- Excitement, fun, humor and creativity.
- Illustrates and portrays Oregon City’s commitment to social, economic, cultural and environmental sustainability.
See the full RFQ by clicking here. Call to Artists — Downtown Public Art
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