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.

Downtown Oregon City’s mix of retailers, restauranteurs and professionals received another new addition this year.  Starting this year, Certified Public Accountant Mike Gavaza is helping clients from around the region with accounting, business advisory, and tax preparation and advisory services.

Mike acquired the assets of AJH Financial Services at 216 7th Street, near the base of the Municipal Elevator.  Mike, a Tualatin resident, and his family moved to the area in 1998. Mike has 20 plus years of public accounting experience and has spent the last10 years working for a larger downtown Portland CPA firm.  He has spent the last two years searching for the right opportunity to run his own firm.

“I wanted a better quality of life for me and my family and to be able to offer a more personalized service to my clients,” said Mike, Owner of MJ Gavaza, CPA PC at 216 7th St. “I like what’s happening in downtown Oregon City and I decided I want to be a part of that.”

Mike originally began looking at acquiring a larger firm, but he felt a strong connection to the smaller, close-knit community downtown and he likes the positive interaction between downtown Oregon City business owners and professionals.

“Downtown Oregon City offers a range of shopping and services to visitors,” said Lloyd Purdy, Director of Oregon City’s downtown revitalization program. “We’re pleased that Mike decided to bring his skills and talents to the downtown marketplace.”

AJH Financial Services’ owner, Anna Handegard, will be available as a consultant for tax representation services and to assist with the transition of AJH clients.  She sold the Tax and Accounting business to Mike so that she could focus her time on representation services only and will be working exclusively with MJ Gavaza, CPA PC.  Former AJH employee Milena Rodgers, LTP, has joined the team of MJ Gavaza, CPA PC and will also assist with the transition of AJH clients.

Operating out of an almost 1,000 square foot office near the base of the Municipal Elevator in downtown Oregon City, Mike and his team are positioned to grow their business.  Throughout the year they will work with individuals and businesses in helping them meet their accounting and tax needs.

“We’re constantly updating our skills, our education, and our tools to make sure we offer clients the best personalized service we can – even in an environment of constantly changing tax laws and regulations,” said Mike. “I enjoy helping clients meet their financial needs and goals. No matter what a client needs, the key for me is a high level of personal service.”

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Some pedestrians in Downtown Oregon City may have felt a bit like the theme character in the classic 1980’s arcade game “Frogger” recently as they navigated through the new two-way traffic on Main Street. Staring this month, downtown visitors can try their hand at navigating even more perilous setting from the safety and comfort of downtown’s newest business.

Canby resident Martin Lackner is opening Stryker’s Main Street Arcade & Family Fun Center at 611 Main Street just in time for the holidays.  This arcade located in 1,100 square feet at the historic Meyers Building is a coin-operated arcade with video games from the 1980’s up to 2006, as well as pinball, air hockey and prize games.

“This is the closest thing to a time machine,” said owner Martin Lackner. “Especially in this economy $20-$30 buys a lot of entertainment for the family at an arcade.”

Lackner, an arcade game collector for the last 12 years, has hundreds of video games and provides his products to arcades throughout the Portland area. He decided to open a business at 611 Main Street because downtown is growing into a destination, it’s close to his home, and it’s a convenient location for visitors.

“We bring energy, excitement and a more diversified mix of family friendly entertainment to downtown,” said Lackner.  Stryker’s Main Street Arcade will be available for parties, tournaments, events, arcade game sales and arcade repair. “We provide a clean, quality, family friendly environment that’s fun. That’s what it’s all about,” said Lackner.

Lackner is one of the four largest Portland area arcade collectors. He owns hundreds of arcade games and felt this was the right time to turn his hobby of arcade game collecting into a fun business. Initially, the arcade at 611 Main Street will be open evenings and weekends from Thursday to Sunday with special hours available for private parties and events.

“Martin and his arcade are a nice addition to the downtown marketplace,” according to Lloyd Purdy, Director of the downtown revitalization program. “Family friendly entertainment like the arcade work well with our growing boutique retail and locally owned restaurant options downtown.”

Stryker’s Main Street Arcade and Family Fund Center is the 38th new business to open in downtown Oregon City since revitalization efforts began in early 2009.  More information can be found about the arcade at www.strykersarcade.com.

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.

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.

On Monday November 21, 2011, F&F Structures, Inc., the general contractor for the Abernethy Center in Oregon City will hoist a 30-foot bell tower to the top of the existing 35-foot tall Abernethy Chapel tower at 1326 John Adams Street.

The 1887 bell is originally from a Midwest church.  “Using an authentic bell from 1887 shows our commitment to reuse and to history,” said Mark Foley of F&F Structures. “We feel it is one more way to fit into Oregon City’s historic McLoughlin neighborhood.”

The scheduled installation time for the bell and tower addition is 12 noon.  The bell tower weights approximately 10,000 pounds; including the 36”, 420 pound, cast iron church bell that was purchased from a Michigan company and shipped more than 1,987 miles to Oregon City for use in the chapel.

The bell will be used by future brides and grooms following their marriage. When completed the Abernethy Chapel will be a classic white ceremony chapel tucked within a grove of trees. It will have a dedicated bridal and groom’s suites, and the capacity to hold 220 guests for ceremonies. The chapel will also have an intimate reception space for parties of up to 70 guests.

In conjunction with the completion of the new Abernethy Chapel, in spring 2012, Abernethy Center and its vendors/sponsors are partnering 9to give one deserving couple Abernethy Center’s Dream Chapel Wedding for up to 150 guests on April 27, 2012. Details are available on the Abernethy Center website.

The Abernethy Center began as a ballroom in 2001 and has expanded services as a meeting center and wedding location. In 2003 and in 2005 Abernethy Center added two different gardens to their downtown Oregon City location in order to offer a greater range of venues that include outdoor and indoor wedding services.

The Abernethy Center has won several awards recognizing the high quality of their service and location including: Oregon Bride Magazine Best of 2011 – Best All-Inclusive Wedding Venue, Oregon Bride Magazine Best of 2010 – Quintessential Oregon Reception Site, Wedding Wire Bride’s Choice Award – 2008, 2009 and 2010.

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

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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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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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