Monthly Archives: July 2024

Economic Development – Monthly Report – June 2024

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Economic Development items:

Econ Devl – Strategic Plan metrics:

Note for June 2024:  Visitor numbers for Sandy Ridge and the Zigzag Ranger Station for March, April and May have finally arrived and have been added to the chart above.


Econ Devl – Strategic Plan progress:

Action 6.1.2 – Retail market analysis:  Staff has reviewed the first draft and sent comments to ECONorthwest for the report’s first revision.  We are anticipating sending drafts back and forth for edits with ECONorthwest over the next few weeks and have tentatively scheduled our final project meeting for July 12th.  Staff is hoping to have the final report ready for Council review by the end of July.

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

23-002 TI Sandy Underground (VFW) project:  According to the business owners, this project will be complete by the end of July.  Completing the kitchen remodel and installing the new bar top, along with some final plumbing work are the last items to be completed.  Tentative project completion date is now slated for the beginning of August 2024.  They should open for business shortly after that.

Otto’s Ski Shop: It is with a heavy heart that I report that Otto’s Ski Shop is officially closed for good after 20 years serving the local winter sports community. Andreanne Rode has moved all of her remaining inventory out of the building, and it should be completely vacant by the end of the Fourth of July weekend. We will never forget our partnership with Otto’s and Clackamas County Tourism that created the mountain bike rental program at Ms. Rode’s shop back in 2012, turned the business into “Otto’s Ski & Mountain Bike Shop” and helped to put Sandy Ridge on the map. Andreanne is one of the unique individuals that has helped to create a fantastic business community and culture here in Sandy — we wish her a very happy retirement and look forward to seeing her up on the slopes next winter.

21-010FAC Tollgate Inn Covered Structure:  The structure is starting to take shape. In the first week of July, the project contractor started constructing the faux facade while they wait for the metal beams supporting the roof structure to be refabricated.  Due to the manufacturing setbacks experienced on this project thus far, it is unlikely the project will be completed by the estimated July completion date.  Development Services will continue monitoring this project.

Econ Devl – Downtown Events:

The new AntFarm Youth Hub (on Proctor Boulevard across from the Café) held it’s grand opening on Saturday, June 15th from 5:00 to 8:00 PM.  Approximately 50-60 people showed up for the event, including Skyler Ray, a formerly incarcerated rap artist whose mission is to keep kids out of the prison system and on the right path, performing a free concert for the event.  Special thanks to Councilor Smallwood who attended the event on behalf of the City of Sandy!



Econ Devl – Economic Development Advisory Board:

There was no regularly scheduled meeting of the EDAB during the month of June.  The next EDAB meeting is currently scheduled for August 14th, 2024.  Jeffrey Aprati will step into the staff liaison role for this advisory board going forward.

Econ Devl – Conferences/training/events:

Mount Hood Community College 2024 Business Fair – June 21st, 2024 @ MHCC campus:  The organizers of this event asked me to sit on a panel of government economic developers to discuss what we do and what services we provide to small businesses and local entrepreneurs.  I discussed our new online business license portal, Sandy’s transit tax and the City’s urban renewal funded grant programs.

Econ Devl – Final Message

As you are already aware, August 1st will be my final day of employment with the City.  It has been a fantastic experience to work for the City of Sandy over the last 12½ years, and it cannot be stated in words how grateful I am to Dr. Lazenby for hiring me back in 2011 and to all of the City’s staff and elected officials for helping to educate a former small business owner with a graduate degree in local government administration but no background in government. 

I am very proud of the things I accomplished as an economic developer for this community over the last dozen years, including:

  • Developing and implementing the Tenant Improvement grant program, which has made Sandy’s restaurant community larger and stronger over the years.
  • Developing and implementing the Covered Structures Program, one of the most unique and transformational responses to the COVID-19 pandemic created in Oregon.
  • Managing the City’s pandemic response with regard to our business community.
  • Cleaning up downtown Sandy, one broken curb at a time.
  • Implementing the Façade Improvement grant program and selling it to local commercial property owners, which has now touched over 50 buildings in Sandy since 2011.
  • Championing and leading the city’s first official Economic Development Strategic Plan.
  • Creating and managing the SSCP and improving the relationships between the local non-profit community and the City.
  • Managing and improving the downtown flower basket program and the holiday street tree lighting programs, both of which now receive regular complements from our citizenry every year.
  • Becoming an OEDA certified economic developer in 2022.
  • Reauthorizing Sandy’s Enterprise Zone for another 10 years with Business Oregon.
  • Strongly encouraging and managing the process of getting more than half a dozen derelict houses in our downtown core bulldozed to make way for new development.
  • Building and managing the Economic Development Advisory Board.
  • Creating the City of Sandy Available Commercial Properties database, showing every available commercial property in Sandy on one convenient webpage.
  • Two rounds of upgrades to both Meinig Park and Jonsrud Viewpoint, paid for mostly with Clackamas County Tourism grant dollars.
  • After decades of neglect, helping to get the Smith Building in the hands of an owner that wants to develop it and working with him to get this fantastic old building rehabbed and occupied again.
  • Serving on the boards of multiple Sandy non-profits including AntFarm Youth Services and the Sandy Area Chamber of Commerce.
  • Championing and leading the City of Sandy Retail Market Report efforts in 2013 and 2024.
  • Working alongside the Development Services Department to create the 2012 Downtown Parking Management Study and communicating the results to the local business community and concerned citizens.
  • Assisting with the completion of the Downtown Walkability Study.
  • Completing the re-writing of the Pleasant Street Master Plan in preparation for future discussions with City Council.

So with that, I bid you all farewell.  Sandy has made a lasting impression on me, and I will miss this place and all of you.  I sincerely hope that whenever the City of Sandy Economic Development Department is reinstated in the coming years, it is able to hit the ground running and helps bring to this community the economic growth it so richly deserves.


David C. Snider, MPA, OCED