Salem Conference Center has started the revitalization

January 29, 2008

Salem Conference Center has started the revitalization

Go Downtown provides marketing and streetscape

January 29, 2008

You only need to drive through downtown to see the revitalization that is occurring, starting with our very successful Salem Conference Center.

It is exciting to see the new, mixed-use buildings under construction, plus the many historic buildings that have been renovated for retail and upper-level housing. The catalyst for many of these positive changes was accomplished through loan and grant programs from Urban Renewal funding (your tax dollars), with more than $100 million invested downtown during the past 25 years.

What is not so visible is another important part to sustaining this momentum -- that is the establishment of a viable, well-funded business/property owner association.

The "Go Downtown Salem" group recently was formed with a 13-member board elected by the downtown business and property owners. This volunteer board, with a paid executive director, has accepted the responsibility to provide marketing, event development and streetscape (flowers and benches) to ensure that downtown stays competitive with other shopping choices. How can they be certain of funding so that they don't fail as has occurred in the past with other groups?

The choice for funding is an Economic Improvement District that levies a small fee on all of the property in that core area -- whether the building is full or empty (except for residential uses). This three-year plan would establish the viability of marketing downtown as a destination. Small individual stores cannot afford the extended advertising and branding that has made the downtowns in other cities so successful -- just look at the television ads about downtown Portland to give you an idea of the competition.

The other component of Go Downtown Salem is that it has brought together diverse interests in the center of our city to work together for the common good. They have been active participants in our Vision 2020 to identify what the community wants for the area, and the top priorities have been a plaza or gathering place, traffic calming, more restaurants, shopping and music choices, in addition to a mix of housing. This is the atmosphere that gives downtowns an exciting presence and encourages businesses to locate and expand in downtown.

So why is downtown so important? It is the heart of a city; it tells others and our own residents who we are -- do we have arts and culture, great dining, interesting shopping, or do we need to go north to find it? As the capital of Oregon, Salem should be setting the example as a vibrant and exciting place to live and work.

With a little financial support for the EID, the stage is set to take us to the next level. All of the businesses will have a better chance to prosper, vacant spaces will be leased and property values will increase.

Salem is well on its way to success!

Janet Taylor is the mayor of Salem.