{"id":160,"date":"2015-02-10T02:42:28","date_gmt":"2015-02-10T02:42:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/reports.cityofsandy.com\/economicdevelopment\/?p=160"},"modified":"2015-02-10T02:42:28","modified_gmt":"2015-02-10T02:42:28","slug":"economic-development-monthly-report-january-2015","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reports.cityofsandy.com\/economicdevelopment\/2015\/02\/10\/economic-development-monthly-report-january-2015\/","title":{"rendered":"Economic Development \u2013 Monthly Report \u2013 January 2015"},"content":{"rendered":"

General notes:\u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong>One of the things the ED office has been pursuing recentlyhas been working on ways to integrate more bicycle friendliness into Sandy.\u00a0 As we have seen with the development of the mountain bike rental program with Otto\u2019s, the focus on bicycle tourism by Clackamas County Tourism & Cultural Affairs and the increased traffic at Sandy Ridge, this is a rapidly growing segment of the tourism market.\u00a0 The City of Sandy and surrounding area is a natural draw to cyclists.\u00a0 The coming completion of the Springwater Trail will, I believe, increase the amount of bicycle traffic here by orders of magnitude, as cyclists cruise out during the nice weather months from Portland.<\/p>\n

We have done much already to prepare for this new segment of tourists beyond simply completing our segment of the Springwater Trail (the Tickle Creek Trail) for future connection.\u00a0 The mountain bike rental program set up through the CPP grant program with Clackamas County provided a place to rent full and partial suspension mountain bikes for use on flow trail complexes like Sandy Ridge.\u00a0 Prior to this project, there was no place on the east side of the Willamette to rent such equipment. \u00a0Andreanne\u2019s bikes are a fixture at Sandy Ridge now.<\/p>\n

We are continuing this work on a number of fronts now.\u00a0 First, Jennifer and I have become ambassadors for the Bike-Friendly Business program offered by Travel Oregon (the state\u2019s tourism department), which provides mapping and information to cyclists looking for amenities important to them in local businesses.\u00a0 This free program requires businesses to identify at least three amenities that cyclists look for (high carb food, water, restrooms, bike racks, beer (yes, you read that right), etc.) and then lists them on a couple of cyclist-centric webistes like traveloregon.com <\/a>and\u00a0rideoregonride.com<\/span><\/a> to help cyclists find those businesses.\u00a0 The program also offers signage and advice on how to cater to cyclists.\u00a0 We have so far found about a half-dozen businesses (Chariteas, Bunsenbrewer, the Beer Den, Sandy Family Restaurant, Otto\u2019s and hopefully the Tamale Factory) that have already signed up, and City Hall and the Library already have their signage up.<\/p>\n

In addition, Community Services is working with Economic Development to update and reprint the Sandy Bike Map.\u00a0 In addition to adding Sandy Ridge (how did we miss that the first time around?), the maps will provide more parks and other destinations, more events (like the CornCross!) and more information.\u00a0 We anticipate that if all goes well, we should have this complete by summer.<\/p>\n

Finally, I am looking at approaching Clackamas County about getting some grant money through their Tourism Development Grant process to possibly create a \u201cbike plaza\u201d in Centennial Plaza similar to Estacada\u2019s, but much smaller.\u00a0 This would essentially create a small area next to the public restrooms with some additional bike racks (maybe even some \u201cartsy\u201d bike racks created by Mike Maiden \u2013 let\u2019s get those County dollars circulating in Sandy, yes?) and a \u201cbike station\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0 A bike station, if you haven\u2019t been by Estacada City Hall in awhile, is a vertical metal station complete with compressed air for filling tires, a few basic tools on metal wires for changing out chains or tire treads and water for filling water bottles.\u00a0 This would be intended to be a free amenity for cyclists to keep them on the road. (and hopefully stopping in Sandy to gear up and again to wind down after a hard ride\u2026.with a beer at the Beer Den or a glass of wine at Buddha Kat!)\u00a0 It\u2019s a great way to say to the growing cycling community \u201cCome to Sandy!….<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Commercial Properties (vacancies, new businesses, etc.):<\/strong><\/p>\n

Old Ox & Marley space:\u00a0 I caught Jack Paola showing this place to a prospective retailer last week, so I butted in on the conversation and introduced myself.\u00a0 The couple that was checking it out owns a surf & skate shop in Hawaii, and is thinking about doing something similar here, but of the skate & snowboard variety.\u00a0 They also do graphic design work for clothing, primarily designed for skateboarders.\u00a0 He showed me some of their design work, and seems to have some legitimate talent in this arena.\u00a0 I can see the market they would be serving, and the concept does have some legs.\u00a0 They were interested in talking to some of the local ski shops to let them know that a) they are not looking to get into the rental business, but would love to work with the rental shops around here regarding custom designs, repair, etc., and b) see if there might be any other crossover appeal.\u00a0 I suggested speaking with Andreanne at Otto\u2019s about mountain biking and her expertise with that crowd, and Nunpa over at AntFarm as no one knows the teen scene in Sandy better than him (and maybe there are some opportunities there for both of them).<\/p>\n

Legends of Lore\/Artistic Impressions:\u00a0 Jonathan has completed his move to the space formerly occupied by Artistic Impressions, and everyone involved is very happy.\u00a0 Not only does he have about 3 times the space that he used to have, he is filling it with customers.\u00a0 Plus, having a street-level storefront is making it much easier for his clients to find him, as evidenced by the dwindling number of kids wandering into my office looking for his store.\u00a0 Boring Properties has completed their move into Jonathan\u2019s old space, and they are quite happy with their new digs as well (less unused space, and less rent!).\u00a0 All in all, a positive move for everyone involved.<\/p>\n

Sandy Marketplace (the complex that Bi-Mart is in): \u00a0I used a citizen comment about the striping in this lot that I received as an opportunity to talk with the property manager about the old Starbucks space.\u00a0 They have not had any inquiries into this space yet, which is fortunate because Starbucks is still the lessee.\u00a0 Apparently they are under contract on this space for the remainder of 2015, but neither the mgmt company nor local Starbucks mgmt thinks that will remain the case for very long (if I had to guess, I would bet that Starbucks corporate office will probably just buy out the lease here shortly).\u00a0 I asked the property manager to please keep my office in the loop as to the status of this property, as we can help them market it with the Available Commercial Properties Database.\u00a0 They will be happy to do so.\u00a0 (\u2026and the lot will be re-striped this summer)<\/p>\n

Ria\u2019s Bar\/Sandy Family Restaurant:\u00a0 Had a delightful conversation last week with Ria.\u00a0 I gave her kudos for building the smoking porch in the back of her building, as there has been a noticeable reduction in her customers smoking in our entryway, and she was quite pleased with that. \u00a0She has also agreed to sign the restaurant up for the Bike Friendly Business program that we have been promoting around town.<\/p>\n

Beaverbrooke Dental:\u00a0 As I write this, several of our Public Works personnel have been tromping through our office to use our restroom as they work on the curb\/sidewalk outside of Beaverbrooke.\u00a0 There is a section of the sidewalk and curb that is deteriorating, and has generated a crack large enough to trip up an elderly patient of theirs a few months ago.\u00a0 This was one of the items that they requested our help with during the parking discussion we had with them in December.\u00a0 Very happy to see that PW got on this immediately and is even working on it in the rain and wind; bonus points to Kevin and his crew.\u00a0 I will follow up with Beaverbrooke as soon as the new concrete is poured.<\/p>\n

Try My Thai:\u00a0 This restaurant recently received their 2015 business license and certificate of occupancy, so they are now up, running and fully legal.\u00a0 The transition from Amarin to TMT has been seamless (there are some issues with the building that the building official is working to clear up, but this has nothing to do with the restaurant), and the family that has taken over has been a delight to work with.\u00a0 They have a charmingly positive outlook, are very interested in promoting themselves (hallelujah!) and getting involved in community events like First Friday, and they definitely have a different cooking style than the Amarin folks.\u00a0 I have eaten there about a half a dozen times now, and can honestly say that these guys can compete with the better Thai restaurants in Portland like Thai Thai and Thai Orchid.<\/p>\n

One bonus plug for TMT: If you like it hot like I do, these guys are not messing around<\/strong>.\u00a0 Normally area Asian restaurants can\u2019t make it hot enough for me.\u00a0 TMT has a heat scale of 1-5 stars.\u00a0 Do Not Order Anything Above 3 Stars<\/strong>.\u00a0 Four was almost too much for me<\/span>, and that\u2019s sayin\u2019 something.\u00a0 Fair warning. \u00a0\ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sandy Main Street: \u00a0<\/strong>The first Sandy Main Street event held in 2015 will be the April First Friday.\u00a0 If you would like an update on what Sandy Main Street is planning for the next 6 months, give me a call at 503-489-2159.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Project work:\u00a0 <\/strong>Currently preparing for our presentation for the students in Jim Hough\u2019s Public Works Management course later in February.\u00a0 I will give a recap after the event.<\/p>\n

Also, Sandy Main Street and the Sandy Area Chamber of Commerce are hosting a seminar on February 11 called \u201cRetail Design Done Right\u201d by Ullika Pankratz of Up Design Lounge in Portland.\u00a0 Ullika is a former window display designer for Ikea, and speaks about retail design and how it impacts your bottom line \u2013 particularly product placement, lighting, color and other design elements.\u00a0 I heard her speak at the Main Street conference in McMinnville last year, and I was duly impressed.\u00a0 If you know of anyone that might be interested in this, please contact me immediately\u2026..seats are running out. \u00a0\ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Conferences\/training:\u00a0 <\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Due to budgetary restrictions, I will most likely not be attending the OCCMA Pacific NW Manager\u2019s (Spring) Conference at the Portland Red Lion this year.\u00a0 After looking at the planned agenda, I don\u2019t feel like I\u2019m going to be missing anything critical to my professional development by skipping the Spring conference this year.\u00a0 Unfortunately this will leave Sandy without representation as Seth will not be able to attend either due to a scheduling conflict.<\/p>\n

I still plan to attend the OCCMA Summer Conference, which is always the more relevant of the two to professional development.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

General notes:\u00a0 \u00a0One of the things the ED office has been pursuing recentlyhas been working on ways to integrate more bicycle friendliness into Sandy.\u00a0 As we have seen with the development of the mountain bike rental program with Otto\u2019s, the … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-160","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/reports.cityofsandy.com\/economicdevelopment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/160","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/reports.cityofsandy.com\/economicdevelopment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/reports.cityofsandy.com\/economicdevelopment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reports.cityofsandy.com\/economicdevelopment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reports.cityofsandy.com\/economicdevelopment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=160"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/reports.cityofsandy.com\/economicdevelopment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/160\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":161,"href":"https:\/\/reports.cityofsandy.com\/economicdevelopment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/160\/revisions\/161"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/reports.cityofsandy.com\/economicdevelopment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=160"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reports.cityofsandy.com\/economicdevelopment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=160"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reports.cityofsandy.com\/economicdevelopment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=160"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}