Tigard's Downtown Alliance gets 'designated' status from state agency

Tigard’s Downtown Alliance was recently selected as at a Designated Main Street Level by Oregon Main Street program.

“The Designated Main Street level is a mark of distinction that reflects a demonstrated effort to building, growing, and sustaining a main street organization to support efforts to improve a community’s historic downtown by leveraging partnerships and engaging community members,” said a statement from Oregon Main Street, a program that aids communities in helping to revitalize historic downtowns and commercial districts.

Communities who receive the designated status means that the Tigard Downtown Alliance — a nonprofit focused on revitalizing downtown Tigard — has a commitment to using a methodology that creates a lasting impact in enhancing historic downtowns.

“Over the past 10 years, we have made significant progress, and our team is prepared to continue the hard work required to grow a thriving community rooted in the Main Street Four-Point Approach,” Kevin Bates, Tigard Downtown Alliance president, said in a statement. “We are deeply grateful to our Executive Director Kyle Knepper, our board of directors, volunteers, and Sheri Stuart with Oregon Main Street, whose support made it possible for us to achieve ‘designated status.’”

Bates is an owner of the Tigard and Sherwood Symposium Coffee shops.

“We are very excited to have the Tigard Downtown Alliance move up a tier in the Oregon Main Street Network,” said Stuart, Oregon Main Street state coordinator. “They have been slowly and thoughtfully growing their organizational structure over the past two years and have demonstrated a deep commitment to support their downtown and develop activities to enhance its vitality.”

Oregon Main Street provides those who reach the Designated Main Street level with technical assistance “to help them strengthen their revitalization efforts. Acceptance into this level allows communities to participate in training, program evaluations, technical assistance, and receive local capacity building support.”

Oregon Main Street is part of Oregon Heritage in Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.