Internal projects:
Permanent Outdoor Covered Structures grant 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 July 2023:
- Tollgate Inn – Winning bid from Round 2 of bids was $82,100 from Steve Traxler, a CCB licensed contractor known to the applicant from Oregon City. There was less than 5% difference between the two lowest bids. Standing by for final review from the SURA Board on September 18th – if approved, construction will commence shortly thereafter.
- 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: Round 2 of the Covered Structures Program was completed in March of 2023.
- Update – Wippersnappers Kid’s Play Place has now paid off their share of their covered structure in full…the first applicant from the second round of this program to do so.
362nd Ave and Bell Street Extension (22-003 FSH/MP): While this project has mostly stayed on target since we began in late January, the crew has unfortunately run into a few delays recently. The signal controller that was ordered by ODOT turned out to be faulty and needed to be replaced. ODOT is currently conducting testing on the new unit, which should take about 2 weeks. Konell will also need to put a storm line under 362nd Ave and remove the old signal poles, so there will be roughly 2 weeks’ worth of work remaining after the new signal controller is installed and approved by ODOT. The new street is currently slated be opened to the public during the first week of October.
Sandy Comprehensive Plan:
- Tabling at the Mount Hood Farmer’s Market: On Friday, August 11th, the City’s Economic Development Manager joined Natalie Knowles from 3J Consulting to do some tabling at the Mount Hood Farmer’s Market. Unfortunately, the weather was hot and the market was one of the least attended markets in 2023…however, Natalie was optimistic and felt that she gathered as much information from the crowd as she could. This will be the final tabling event for the Comprehensive Plan.
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. Mr. Good is currently discussing a lease with a couple that would like to set up another daycare facility at the site – this couple currently operates a similar facility in Damascus. This building has a number of issues left over from the previous owner that will need to be corrected before occupancy can be achieved. The most difficult one will be the installation of sidewalks and curbs along the property on Junker Street, considering that the building sits below grade.
Econ Devl – Internal Projects:
Downtown maintenance:
- Flower baskets: We typically remove the flower baskets at the end of September when the majority of baskets have run their course – there are a few out there that are nearing the end, but with continuing sunshine predicted for the remainder of the month, the majority should continue to look decent for a few more weeks.
- AF Downtown Maintenance: Tranche #2 of work is currently underway. This will include removing suckers from the base of street trees on Pioneer and Proctor and the general cleanup of 7-Eleven, the Library, the back of the newly remodeled VFW Building, Small Change Car Wash, Meadowlark Ski & Snowboard, and multiple other areas.
Econ Devl – Economic Development Advisory Board:
There was no scheduled EDAB meeting in August due to the summer recess. The next scheduled meeting of the EDAB is 6:30 PM, September 6th, 2023 in Council Chambers at Sandy City Hall.
Econ Devl – Conferences/training:
There were no conferences or training opportunities for Economic Development in the month of August.