By Dixon Bledsoe
Imagine a thriving downtown with charming lamp posts, gorgeous flowers and planters, clear signage, enticing storefronts and pedestrian and vehicle traffic friendly.
Now imagine that happening soon with some new businesses sprinkled in.
Needless to say, Silverton’s downtown is already historic, pretty charming, has some beautiful hanging flower baskets and is blessed with some quaint, charming storefronts. But is it’s not always easy for pedestrians to maneuver, the signs are not quaint and frequently out-of-towners try to turn the wrong way down a one-way street.
Silverton Community Development Director Steve Kay said a group of people are developing strategies for revitalizing the downtown through its “Downtown Signage Master Plan and Streetscape Enhancement Project.’
“The group is involved in two projects for improving the downtown – an aggressive grant program where loans and grants may be made available to businesses wanting to upgrade their structures, including some monies for professional services and sign/streetscape enhancement.”
Kay said the group did an in-depth analysis and inventory of the signs.
“They felt there is just too much there for people to see,” Kay said. “It is why we see people running stops signs, get confused about where to go because of so many visual choices and why the downtown is not that user-friendly for pedestrians.”
The study was paid for out of Urban Renewal District dollars collected for such purposes and is only in the initial stage of viability. It still has to be completed, reviewed by other city departments, the planning commission and the urban renewal agency, which is the Silverton City Council.
But a unifying theme, attractive signs directing people to the historic downtown and pedestrian-friendly sidewalks and crosswalks would be the order of the day.
For example, at the corner of C and North Water streets, one of the three busiest intersections in town, there are no signs directing tourists and other drivers to downtown. Likewise, McClaine and C street intersection is also bereft of clear, attractive signage to the downtown and other significant locations.
Silverton Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Stacy Palmer feels now is the perfect timing for revitalization.
“We have three new businesses coming to town,” she said.
The Game X-Change, 107 S. First St., opened on Aug. 8. The owners, Shannon and Debbie Orr of Stayton, buy, sell and trade electronic games with some movies available.
Palmer said the other new business opening this fall is The Gathering Spot, 106 N. Second St.
Anna Kuzmin, owner of the Gathering Spot, will offer breakfast, lunch and bakery items. “Don’t expect a coffeehouse with coffee and scones for breakfast. Our focus will be full breakfasts and lunches, although we will have a full espresso bar.”
The Wine Walk and Café will feature area wines, perhaps on a rotating basis, a tasting café and will work collaboratively with other shops for special events and promotions.
