Commercial Properties (vacancies, new businesses, etc.):

Goodwill Industries site (formerly Oja Lumber):  Open for business.

La Bamba “Nuevo”:  Nothing new to report at this site at the moment, other than we have been working with Carlo to close a couple of open façade grant projects.  The sidewalks are now complete and Mr. Vicenttin has received his façade outlay for that project.  We have also given him a majority of the remaining outstanding funds for his larger façade grant in the interest of being “business-friendly” and helping him with his cash flow.  Mr. Vicenttin seems very happy with these developments, and work continues.

Timberline Meats:  This project seems to be kicking into high gear at the moment.  Mr. Drucker’s biggest concern with this project was the availability of good contractors – with the economy storming along as it has been for the past few years, it seems that decent contractors of all stripes that are available are hard to nail down.  However, judging from the picture below, it seems Mr. Drucker has solved this problem.

Carlson property:  Utility work seems to be complete, and the lot seems to be in the beginning stages of being paved.  However, no inspections other than backflow have been requested as of yet.

Scooter’s Sports Bar & Restaurant (Sandy Marketplace):  Had a chance to stop in and check out Mr. Detweiler’s progress on this space.  He seems to be about 65% complete with the interior remodel, and is shooting for an April opening.  He is also a Façade Grant recipient; grant funding will be covering a good portion of the exterior paint on the building and the roof.  Here’s a shot of where the interior is right now:

The Elusive Trout:  This business seems to be open again.  When I last spoke with the owner, she was considering making changes to the business, including operating with a skeleton crew and adding a video poker room.  I have not had a chance to speak with her yet since she reopened.

Project work: 

• City departmental webpages: We have recently heard back from EvoGov, and there are now promises of upgrades and training in the near future.  I am looking forward to scheduling this training when it becomes available.  I am also starting on revamping the Planning & Building and will be working directly with that staff to get their input on changes that they would like to see.
• Planning & Building Department: With the recent changes to this department, the City Manager asked me to work with the Interim Planning & Building Director to start cleaning up projects and procedures.  I have assisted with getting the Façade Grant Program running smoothly (reviewed contracts with BEH, rewrote program guidelines, installed improved procedures, worked to get all grantees current, started communications with potential 2017 grantees, etc.)
• Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant: Unfortunately, I was not able to procure this grant for the property owner on Pioneer Blvd.  Given that I found out about the grant fairly late in the process, and that the grant application was extremely complicated, it was going to be a long shot from the get go.  In addition, with the staffing changes that have occurred since my last report, I was called upon to assist the Planning & Building Department with projects until we can return to proper staffing levels over there.  Rather than rush to put together an unsatisfactory application, my suggestion to the property owner was that we try again next year, and start about a month earlier.  He was understandably disappointed, but understood the limitations.
• Connelly demolitions: We have received back bids, and Konell Construction was the winner at $43,707.  This is on the agenda for the 4/3 council meeting.
• Imagine Anything Art Gallery Grand Opening: Sandy’s newest art gallery had their grand opening on March 3, and it couldn’t have gone better.  The Ec Dev office and the Chamber both helped Allen and Brian publicize the event on social media, and as the Mayor can report, turnout was absolutely amazing.  We actually put the 5:30 pm ribbon cutting off until around 8:00 pm, as both owners were selling their wares nonstop until that time.  The owners told me that they sold over $3,000 in artwork that night.  Special thanks to Mayor King, Buddha Kat Winery and Khrys Jones at the Chamber for helping welcome a great new business to town!

Conferences/training:    Nothing this month.