Economic Development items:

Econ Devl – Strategic Plan metrics:

This section will be the new header of the Ec Dev department report going forward.  It will provide some of the metrics suggested in the Economic Development Strategic Plan that staff is tracking monthly to help give policy makers a snapshot of  what general economic and tourism data for the community looks like. 

As we complete the transition to our new License Registrar business license tracking software and are able to deploy the new Development Services Code Enforcement Specialist to assist, staff is having great success eliminating unlicensed businesses in Sandy.  The artificially low number of total Sandy business establishments (metric 1e) will continue to rise throughout the next few months as staff catches us up by entering these unregistered businesses into the system.  This will probably level off sometime in late spring.

Econ Devl – Strategic Plan progress:

• Action 6.1.2 – Retail market analysis:  The contract for this project was approved and signed on January 31^st..  Staff has received a detailed scope of work from ECONorthwest and will discuss the project in general with Nicole Underwood from ECO and provide board input at the Economic Development Advisory Board meeting on February 7^th.
• Action 5.3.4 – Establish downtown park:  Demolition started on Bignall Pool and the old Cedar Ridge Middle School in January.  This is the first step in the development of Cedar Park.
• Action 2.2.1 – Assess SandyNet as a resource in business and talent attraction: Staff is in the process of completing the redesign of the SandyNet landing page in February, waiting primarily on the creation of ADA-compatible graphics for completion.  The redesign will help staff identify the number of hits we receive requesting residential service versus requesting business service, as well as provide better page aesthetics.

Econ Devl – Commercial Properties (vacancies, new businesses, reports, etc.):

• 23-001 FAC Sandbar BBQ façade project:  There was no movement on this project in February.  Staff has provided 50% of the available grant reimbursement funds to the applicant for completing the ADA parking addition – remainder of grant funds are being held until lot striping and street trees are completed.  Standing by for now.
• 21-010FAC Tollgate Inn Covered Structure:  The contractor received an official Notice to Proceed on January 3^rd and has a project completion deadline of July 1^st.  Staff has not seen any work commence on this project yet.
• New retail businesses – Sandy Marketplace, FM ancillary building:  The City has received permit applications from developers aiming to renovate the old Pho restaurant in the Sandy Marketplace (Bi-Mart, Grocery Outlet) and the old AT&T store in the ancillary pad building located in Fred Meyer’s parking lot.  Both potential new tenants vying for these spaces are nationally franchised food service businesses, but we cannot confirm if either one has signed a contract so we cannot identify them quite yet.  Watch this space…

Econ Devl – Downtown Events:

• There were no downtown public events in January.
  
  

Econ Devl – Internal Projects:

• Bignall Pool/Cedar Ridge demolition:  Demolition began on January 31^st and is estimated to be completed sometime in March.

• Sandy Comprehensive Plan/EOA:  ECONorthwest presented the results at this stage of the project at the EDAB’s regular meeting on December 6^th.  At the next scheduled meeting on February 7^th, Beth Goodman and Nicole Underwood from ECO will be presenting draft updates to the economic development goals listed in Block 3 of the Comprehensive Plan and soliciting board input for the final draft.
• Downtown Maintenance:  On hiatus until spring of 2024.  SMALL CHG CAR WASH BLACKBERRY UPDATE:  The Development Services Code Enforcement Specialist was able to make contact with the adjacent property owner in January and was able to achieve compliance. This issue is now 100% resolved.

Econ Devl – Economic Development Advisory Board:

• There was no Economic Development Advisory Board in January.  The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 PM on February 7^th, 2024.  The agenda will include a letter of support for the Sandy Public Library for a mobile library outreach vehicle, a project update and draft review of ec dev policy goals for the Sandy Comprehensive Plan and a review of the City’s 2024 retail market report.

Econ Devl – Conferences/training:

• There were no economic development conferences or training offered in January 2024.
• Coming up: Oregon’s Mt Hood Territory FAM Tour – Winter Urban Fun (February 15^th) – a review of County tourism assets in the “urban” region of the county, which includes Oregon City, Milwaukie and West Linn.  Hosted by Clackamas County Tourism & Cultural Affairs. ——- 2024 Oregon Governor’s Conference on Tourism (March 11-13, Salem Convention Center) – Oregon’s annual conference for all things tourism, hosted by Travel Oregon.  Special shout-out to Jim Austin of Clackamas County Tourism & Cultural Affairs for providing a “scholarship” for this conference so that the City’s ec dev staff can attend this conference entirely on the County’s dime.