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

Sandy Marketplace:  The Joy Teriyaki buildout continues.  They have been going through a company-wide expansion and opening new locations in a number of different places in the metro area, including a store that just opened at the new Fred Meyer complex on Sunnyside Road in Happy Valley.  Joy’s owner hinted that their focus will be shifting to Sandy now, and they anticipate that their store will be open in about 6 weeks if all goes according to plan.

Sandy Fire #72: As you can probably tell, the Fire Station renovation project is getting close to completion, and it seems to be turning out wonderfully.  Chief Schneider estimates project completion before the end of January.  A very nice upgrade to downtown Sandy!

Next Adventure:  Sandy’s newest outdoor gear retailer had their open house event on 12/1, and it was very well attended by Council, the Chamber board and Sandy citizens at large.  The company spared no expense at this event, and it’s super nice to see a retailer do some serious promotion to launch their business in a new community, especially in a small town like Sandy….it really goes a long way.  Thanks to all of you who welcomed Deek and Bryan to town, and it sounds like they are going to be in Sandy for the long haul.

SACC: The Sandy Area Chamber of Commerce’s “Shop Local” coupon books (all 400 of ‘em) were distributed for free at the Xmas Tree Lighting on the 1^st.  We had a very strong response to this idea from both participating businesses and downtown patrons – there seems to be a very strong “buy local” sentiment in our culture right now.  And although it might be a bit early to evaluate, early responses from participating businesses say that citizens are using them.  More to come.

Fleischman properties:  We are still standing by to receive bids for the proposed ADA accessibility work at the rear of Mr. Fleischman’s two properties on Pioneer Blvd.  To recap, we have proposed to contribute urban renewal funds (up to 1/3 of the project cost) as an incentive to get this work completed sooner rather than later and to complete the code requirements for the old bead shop space, which is now occupied and being used as an office by the creator of Ilusive Brand Snowwear.  This will allow him to focus all of his energy on his primary project: rehabbing the old boarding house and leasing it in the near future as an office building.

Mr. Fleischman recently confirmed with us verbally that he would like to take advantage of this offer.  However, we have yet to receive any bids for this work.  If there was anyone on City Council that could gently remind him that the City is eager to get this work started, that might be very helpful.  🙂

Project work: 

• Façade project – City Hall Enclosures: Posts have been installed, and as I look out my window I see our contractor beginning to roll out the fencing for install.  This project will be complete in the next couple of days, and will bring City Hall into compliance with our own municipal code
• Facade project – Joe’s Donuts: Full Throttle Construction is well into the project now, and the results are starting to show.  Exterior building repairs are complete, and painting is underway.  So if you see some interesting patterns on the building in December….it’s just the painters doing their thing.  And yes, they will be painting the building exactly the same as it is painted now (except there will be taped, straight lines instead of hand drawn lines), so please let the citizenry know that torches and pitchforks will not be necessary at the ribbon cutting.  🙂
• The 2017 City of Sandy Xmas Tree Lighting Ceremony: Once again, an absolutely phenomenal event that went off without a hitch.  Special thanks to our food and beverage providers (Sandy Starbucks, Busy Bee Catering, The Tollgate Bakery, Mountain Moka and AntFarm Café) – please thank them for their donations again if you happen to run into them socially.  Also, thanks to the SHS Choir and Choir Director Chase, DJ Anderson of Suburban for emceeing the event, Jim Allison (Santa), and all of the volunteers who helped (Tammy Krushwitz’ Girl Scout Troop for helping with the cocoa, U.S. World Class Taekwondo for general help, the Museum for staying open late and providing clean bathrooms and kids crafts, and Sandy Helping Hands!!!)This year, we added a couple of items to the event.  First, the SACC distributed 400 “Shop Local” coupon books to citizens at the event free of charge.  These coupon books give some pretty decent discounts from our downtown Chamber members and encourage folks to shop at our Sandy businesses instead of malls in Portland.  Participants are already seeing the coupons come back!  The SACC will expand this next year (but no more freebies — we’re gonna charge $1 for a coupon book next year!)The other huge addition was the use of the Sandy Shoppers Trolley to give free rides to Councilor Hamblin’s neighborhood to see the holiday light displays at his house and along his street.  People absolutely love that trolley, and I couldn’t think of a better way to showcase it than this.  Sandy Helping Hands volunteered to load and unload passengers and help keep cars and kids out of the museum parking lot, so extra kudos to Machel at SHH for all the help.  There has been some mention of Councilor Hamblin encouraging his neighbors to get into the spirit next year and expand the light displays, working toward a day in the future when maybe Sandy has its own version of Peacock Lane.No word on whether or not the infamous “Buddy the Elf” costume made an appearance or not.  It definitely should though.  Next year, Counselor Hamblin.  No excuses.

• Sandy Arts Commission: Work continues…
• NorthStar – branding project: Work continues…

Conferences/training: 

None this month.