By James Day The Silverton City Council has finalized its work on goal-setting for the new fiscal year beginning July 1. The goals were discussed at length at a nearly four-hour special session at The Oregon Garden on Feb. 6, tweaked at the Feb. 26 work session and received unanimous support at the March 4 regular meeting. The goals are […]
By James Day The City of Silverton has contributed more than $26,000 to assist the new owners of the Palace Theatre with their renovation work. The council, acting in its capacity as the city’s Urban Renewal Agency, voted at its Aug. 21 meeting to contribute $26,443 in urban renewal funds to bolster the Palace’s work on both internal remodeling and […]
By James Day The City of Silverton began work on its 2023-24 budget amid a staff shakeup that has the City Council initiating a search for a new city manager. Ron Chandler, who took over the top administrative post in Silverton in May of 2021, is leaving effective May 12 and relocating to Utah. In an April 12 letter to […]
At least the Homer Davenport Community Festival came off without a hitch after months of discord and confusion. At the Aug. 8 Silverton City Council meeting, many community members were publicly praised and thanked for pulling together a fine festival, from various city staff including police and public works; the Rotary Club, who became the administrative entity for the event; and all the citizens who stepped in to make it happen, including Councilor Kyle Palmer.
New trees, wider sidewalks and pedestrian curb extensions: Silverton Urban Renewal Agency has chosen to proceed with Concept 2 for the city’s Phase 1 of the Downtown Street Enhancement Project.
Silverton Mayor Stu Rasmussen developed fresh insight on sidewalk width during a recent trip to “a slightly larger city.” “I noted that 42nd Avenue in New York City, which is the theater district, had a 10-foot sidewalk on both sides,” he said. “…And Lexington Avenue had a 9-foot sidewalk.”
I am personally disappointed at the shameful level of discourse that continues to take place regarding “concepts” to enhance downtown Silverton. Representations both verbal and in print continue to contain gross distortions of truth, hyperbole and inaccuracies.
No wonder they’re cracking and crumbling! In recent months, especially since city officials unveiled the first set of ideas for downtown renovation, folks from all walks of life have roamed Silverton streets.
Silverton’s Urban Renewal Agency / City Council is considering implementation of streetscape improvements recommended in the 2007 Downtown Master Plan. The goal is to enhance downtown for business, recreation and civic life.
