General notes: I am very happy to announce that the Economic Development department has re-designed our webpage and has added quite a bit of new information to it as well. Please check out the new format of our page here if you haven’t already. In order to save space and create a new, sleeker design, we have replaced the link tree formerly in the middle of the page with buttons designed to take the user to more specific sub-pages. In addition to the nicer look and feel, the buttons and the smaller picture of the mayor (sorry Mr. Mayor!) also allow all of our main page information to be displayed on one page without scrolling. We have also replaced the picture of City Hall (ugh) and the Historical Museum (nice pic, but not relevant to ED) with a few more colorful pictures of area businesses. And of course, our “How to Open a Business in Sandy” application is still prominently displayed in the upper right hand corner.
You will also notice a couple of new sub-titles on the buttons. First, you will see a button labeled “Sandy Demographics” which includes all kinds of Census-based and other demographic information broken down into sub-categories for residents and for business. This section is designed for site selectors and business facilities managers & CEOs looking to research new business locations. According to the IEDC course I took last summer on business recruitment, small to medium sized businesses are opting more and more often to do the research themselves rather than contacting local communities for a tour. It only makes sense to collect the community information we believe they will be seeking and provide it in one place for them.
In addition, you will see available commercial properties broken down into two separate databases: Available Commercial Buildings and Available Commercial Lands. The latter is new, and is reflective of the fact that the economy has recovered to the extent that developers might take a chance on building new retail and office space, particularly in the downtown area. The proof of this lies in all the new commercial realtor signage we have seen go up in the last 6 months. We hope to have all available posted commercial lots on this database by summer time – so far we have 5 properties listed, and there will be at least 7 listed by the end of this week. If you know of a property that is zoned commercial and is for sale right now that you don’t see here (Hi Carl!), please give me a call and get me the owner’s phone number. Let’s get building, Sandy!
Commercial Properties (vacancies, new businesses, etc.):
Old Ox & Marley space: Well, it looks like Jack has been showing this property to a number of potential investors, and I believe we have a winner. We recently performed a fire/life safety inspection for a new facial spa business that expressed interest in the space called “A Place 4 Your Face”. They have already pulled plumbing and building permits for the space, so it looks like the business is a “go”. More to come.
Sandy Marketplace (The Local Buzz): We have two more businesses in this complex that is preparing for a major change. The Local Buzz salon owned by former Councilor Grant Baker’s wife Tiffany has listed their property with a commercial business broker, and intends to sell the business to another owner as soon as they receive a favorable offer. However, they will remain open for business while looking for a new owner, and the public will probably not even notice the change when it happens, whenever that may be.
This change is not the result of financial difficulties; profitability has not been an issue with this business. Grant tells me that Tiffany will become more of a part of daily operations at Peak Trophy & Engraving and will have much more time to spend on family affairs as a result of this move, which was the ultimate goal.
Sandy Marketplace (Blue Sky & Daydreams LLC): The coin-operated laundromat behind the Baskin Robbins told us earlier this month that they do not intend to renew their business license in 2015 and will be closing up shop shortly. Considering the physical condition of this business, I doubt anyone will really notice. I am a customer of Clackamas Federal Credit Union, and I make a point to check this place out every time I pull money out of the ATM, day or night. I haven’t seen an actual person inside this business in months, as virtually every machine inside is either broken or vandalized.
We are still waiting to get an update on the laundromat that is currently being planned for the Safeway complex in the old Sandy Vac location. Work on this property seems to go in fits and starts. There was some question as to whether or not there was a 4” water line serving this property, but I believe this has been recently confirmed by the property owner (Mr. Picking). Hopefully this development will get things moving again as our community is currently without a laundromat, forcing our citizens that need this service to drive to Gresham or Welches.
Magic Bean Bistro: This coffee shop/restaurant is under new ownership. I have not met the new owner yet, as he is based out of Vancouver, WA where he owns at least one other restaurant. The planned laundromat next door will have an impact on the success or failure of this business, as MBB would provide people washing their clothes a place to hang out and eat/drink coffee while they wait.
Gifts of Past and Present: You have probably noticed some temporary signage up advertising a “Going out of Business” sale at this business….this property that been on the market for over a year now, and there finally appears to be some movement here. Julie Lenzini will be closing up shop as soon as her existing inventory is gone, and we are currently talking with Lisa Martinez who is planning on putting a commercial bakery in its place. This bakery will focus primarily on wedding and intricate cakes (for which Ms. Martinez has a passion and a specific skill set), but will also have a small retail space for those just looking for a cupcake and a cup of joe. She tells me she is looking to serve a different market than the Tollgate Bakery, as they are more of a traditional bakery and don’t really focus on the intricate stuff like wedding cakes.
old Organic Sandy building: This Jeff Newberry-owned building has been the subject of much speculation lately, but the future is starting to come into focus here. We had briefly considered this property as a potential new home for SandyNet (which would include a retail space to demonstrate different applications for fiber as well as new product offerings such as VOIP phones, IPTV and smart home applications), but unfortunately we couldn’t make the numbers work. Jeff had several other inquiries into the building, but he is now moving forward with plans to turn this space into Sandy’s newest taproom, the Red Shed Public House.
Studio 623: We have finally found our local photographer! Becky Nerpel has agreed to be the City’s portrait photographer for the foreseeable future. We will be scheduling our first portrait session tentatively for the third week in March — Karey will get in touch with Councilors Hamblin and Farner shortly. This will also give us the opportunity to get portraits of the Planning Commissioners and professional grade group photos of all of our advisory boards in the near future. We are looking forward to working with Becky.
Tamale Factory: This restaurant is under new ownership. An employee of Antonio Paez and her husband have purchased the restaurant and are currently in the process of getting a new city business. They are also interested in taking part in all 6 First Fridays in 2015. More on this ownership change as we learn more…
Sandy Main Street: The first Sandy Main Street event held in 2015 will be the April First Friday on April 3rd. We are beginning the process of putting plans together for that event now. If you would like an update on what Sandy Main Street is planning for the next 6 months, give me a call at 503-489-2159.
Project work: [From “Weekend Update” 2/27/15] On Tuesday evening, Dave Snider took Mike Walker, Joe Knapp and Thomas Fisher back to school. Every year Dave brings members of the administrative staff of Public Works back to PSU to speak to a class taught by his mentor Jim Hough, the former city manager of Warrenton and Banks. Jim teaches a class called “Public Works Management” and invites current PW professionals from cities around the Portland metro area to speak about what life is like in their profession. Last year, Mike and Thomas gave their perspective on the Bull Run intertie project, but found in the Q&A session afterward that what the students were really interested in was our fiber-to-the-premises project.
So this year, the Sandy contingent gave the students what they wanted — a full overview of the SandyNet Fiber project. Joe laid out the history of SandyNet as well as project architecture and construction details. Mike jumped in to discuss Public Works’ involvement in the project and some of the hurdles the City encountered. The students were completely engaged in the discussion, and even followed our contingent into the hall with questions during the break. Afterward, Professor Hough pulled Dave aside and told him “You guys were definitely the best presentation of the year.”
Kudos to Joe, Mike, Thomas and Dave for helping to mold the minds of the next generation and for spreading the gospel of municipal fiber.
Conferences/training: None