Internal projects:
- Permanent Outdoor Covered Structures Program: The status of the first round of this program is reviewed semi-monthly at the City of Sandy Ec Dev Advisory Board meeting – here is the status of the program as of April 2023:
- Tollgate Inn – We are currently waiting for some updated quotes for the false façade that eliminate the knee wall for cost cutting purposes. These quotes will come back in 1-2 weeks.
- All other projects are now structurally complete and under contract.
- Three applicants from the first round of this program have already completely satisfied the financial responsibilities for the applicant portion of their project.
- Covered Structures Round 2: Designs for the second round of the City of Sandy Covered Structures grant program were reviewed at the SURA and City Council meetings on January 3rd, 2022. Here is the status for this round of the program as of April 2023:
- La Bamba Mexican Restaurant – Completed July 21st, 2022.
- The Smoky Hearth – Completed August 2nd , 2022.
- Thai Home – This restaurant was recently sold. Since the Covered Structures contract was with the previous owners, we have decided not to move forward on this one. This project is now cancelled.
- Wippersnappers Kid’s Play Place – Completed February 15th, 2023.
- One applicant from the second round of the program has already completely satisfied the financial responsibilities for the applicant portion of their project.
- Round 2 of the Covered Structures Program is now complete!
Economic Development items:
Econ Devl – Commercial Properties (vacancies, new businesses, reports, etc.):
- New business – 38888 Pioneer Boulevard: This building was recently purchased by Marlin Good, an Estacada businessman. Marlin is looking to rehab this building and then turn it into a commercial rental property. He has had preliminary meetings with Development Services already and is having regular discussions with that department and the Ec Dev Department regarding his near future development plans. Watch this space.
Econ Devl – Internal Projects:
Downtown maintenance:
- Flower baskets: They’re up! And they look great as always. Once again, major kudos to our friends over at Cedarglen Floral as well as our AntFarm nightly watering crew.
- AF Downtown Maintenance: Work on the first tranche has begun with the crew cleaning up the grounds of Joe’s Donuts (and their parking lot, which is owned by the City of Sandy) and in front of the Sandy Public Library. The rest of the first tranche is mostly work in the planter strips on Proctor. As always, if you have any general downtown maintenance issues you would like to see addressed this season, please let us know.
Econ Devl – Economic Development Advisory Board:
There was no EDAB meeting in May. Next meeting: June 7th, 2023
Econ Devl – Conferences/training:
In May, we saw the culmination of the work completed by the Highway 26 Steering Committee end in a day-long workshop in both Welches and Sandy. The goals of the committee, which was hosted by members of Travel Oregon and Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory, was to identify and develop strategies through projects and events to get more outdoor recreation travel to the corridor and to encourage visitors to get out of their cars. While this kind of work is needed much more in the Villages than it is here, it is important to both Sandy and Welches as outdoor rec traffic is an important part of the economy in both communities.
The Sandy portion of the workshop was well attended by Sandy’s Ec Dev Manager, the Chamber Director and staff, the Chamber Board President and several local businesses, and included a walking tour of downtown Sandy tourism assets led by City staff. The Welches portion of the workshop was not well attended (no local Chamber representation, several members failed to show even after RSVPing) for reasons unknown.
This exercise really highlighted for me how the business community in Sandy has changed for the better over the years – our representatives were engaged in the process and had fantastic input (more downtown walkability is needed; plans for the Sandy Community Campus and park are intriguing; invest in Winterfest!!!!, etc.) for our friends from the County and State to incorporate into their findings.
