Due to construction and congestion in downtown St. Helens’s historic Riverfront District, the city has had to cancel and alter events while the projects are completed.
While the city announced it is holding its concert series in McCormick Park this year, the 4th of July fireworks display has been canceled. The city discussed the cancellation of the fireworks display at its Apr. 17 work session.
In an email to the Columbia County Chronicle & Chief, St. Helens City Administrator John Walsh said the firework display has been canceled to “alleviate congestion” in the Riverfront District due to several construction projects currently underway. Columbia View Park closed on May 20 for construction on the Riverwalk Project, and Walsh said it will remain closed for the remainder of 2024 as construction takes place. This closure includes the playground, amphitheater, splash pad, and Riverfront walking trail access near the splash pad.
“People will not be able to gather to view the fireworks inside Columbia View Park or along the City’s Riverfront Property where tailgating usually occurs since this area is also closed for tailgate use due to the Streets and Utilities Extension Project,” Walsh said.
The Columbia View Park restrooms will remain open for use. City dock access, including utilities at the docks, will remain open. The Riverfront walking trail will remain accessible via the designated pedestrian path at the south end of Strand Street.
In their discussion at the Apr. 17 work session, Mayor Rick Scholl expressed that while the fireworks will not happen this year, he is hoping to “double down” on the display next year to show the city’s commitment to its citizens.
Aside from the fireworks, Walsh said the Independence Day events are being moved to McCormick Park “in order to celebrate Independence Day and our local veterans.”
Events will include a Freedom Walk, Highway 30 Cruisers, American Legion & VFW Flag Raising, and the National Anthem, as well as guest speakers. With it being America’s birthday, “George Washington” will sign the Declaration of Independence, and there will be a birthday cake for America. The event will also feature music from Larry Jackson Big River Big Band and Ellie Wieneke.
Tourism events
While the city has moved its summer events to McCormick Park, there is still some uncertainty as to how they will look and who may organize them.
The contract for the city’s event coordinator, Tina Curry of E2C Corp, is set to expire on Jun. 30. The June 30 expiration of the contract is also why the city has only announced four of the concerts for its 13 Nights concert series.
“The remainder of the 13 Nights on the River summer concerts will be determined by the outcome of the request for proposal (RFP) process and direction from the City Council,” Walsh said.
To clear up controversy surrounding the tourism contract, the city put out a RFP for event management services on Apr. 22. The closing date for the RFP was May 22.
“The intent of this RFP process is to award a contract and have an event management services contractor on board to plan and execute 2024 Spirit of Halloweentown events,” St. Helens Communications Officer Crystal King said.
During a discussion at the May 15 council work session, some members of the council dismissed the idea of extending Curry’s contract beyond June 30 without seeing through the RFP process.
Walsh floated the idea of extending Curry’s contract through the summer and potentially till the end of the year to maintain continuity while keeping the RFP process open. Councilor Mark Gundersen voiced support for the idea, saying the city would have more time for people to apply. Councilor Russell Hubbard disagreed, saying the process should play out.
“The attitude that we’re trying to get rid of Tina, that’s not it,” Hubbard said. “She is a free contractor to come and answer [the RFP] just like anybody else. This is what we’re supposed to be doing every three years.”
Councilor Jessica Chilton also said she doesn’t want to push the decision off either and that the topic of tourism has gotten very political.
“It’s beginning to look like we’re trying to fire our tourism director, which is not the case at all; we are just trying to update things and make changes,” Chilton said. “We’re doing what our lawyers have advised us to do. And I think we need to do it.”
Earlier in the meeting, Councilors Brandon Sundeen, Jessica Chilton, and Russell Hubbard each voiced concerns about having the Spirit of Halloweentown event this year due to the construction in downtown St. Helens. The councilors noted that if construction has already disrupted events like 13 Nights and 4th of July, having a large-scale event like Halloweentown will be challenging.
In speaking about what the outcome of the RFP process could be, Chilton said that if there are going to be changes, “now is the time to do it.”
“I understand that we want this to go into its next stage as gracefully as possible, but I don’t ever see that happening the way it should because there’s too many emotions tied into it all,” Chilton said.
Sundeen said that he agreed with Chilton.
“I think it’s not an ideal time, it’s not going to be a seamless transition, but I think if there’s a year to do it, I think this is it,” Sundeen said. “I don’t like it, I don’t feel good about it, but I don’t know what else to do. I don’t think it’s right to keep extending this, and extending this.”
Walsh emphasized that his desire to extend the contract was in the interest of continuity so that a new contractor would not be caught off guard by having to plan many events on short notice.
When asked what the potential impact of selecting a new contractor could have regarding continuity for events like Halloweentown and 13 Nights, Walsh said it will depend on the contractor.
“We are soliciting for qualified event management services and every contractor will have a different approach to that work. A qualified contractor will have the experience and skillset to execute the events included in the contract,” Walsh said.
Events included in the contract are 13 Nights on the River, 4th of July Celebration, Spirit of Halloweentown, and the Christmas Tree Lighting. With the RFP closing on May 22, the council will likely discuss submissions at their next meeting June 5.
In an email to the Chronicle & Chief on May 23, the King said they had received five submittals, "with four of the proposals meeting the submittal criteria." E2C is one of the companies that submitted a proposal for the city's consideration.
To select a new events and tourism coordinator, the city will undergo an evaluation process. King detailed what the next steps will be.
"An evaluation committee made up of the City Council and five community members selected by the Council will review and score the proposals," King said. "The council will then discuss the RFP at their June 5, 2024, council meeting."
According to King, each member is evaluating and scoring the proposals independently. A summary of the evaluations will be presented at the June 5 council meeting. Council will decide whether additional interviews or presentations will occur.
Follow this developing story at thechronicleonline.com and in the Wednesday print editions of the Columbia County Chronicle & Chief.
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