Doing Business in Downtown Albany
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EAT SHOP PLAY in Downtown Albany A Guide to Starting or Relocating Your Business in Downtown Albany Downtown Association 126 Ferry Street SW | Albany, OR 97321 541-928-2469 Produced by the Albany Downtown Association www.albanydowntown.com www.albanydowntown.com 6 Getting Involved Who We Are Interested in Getting involved? The Albany Downtown Association (ADA) is a private, non-profit We can’t do what we do without volunteers! membership organization dedicated to Albany’s Downtown revitalization. Ways to Help Out: Utilizing the National Main Street Center’s Four-Point Approach®, the Albany Downtown Association organizes and maintains a vibrant Downtown district. Join a committee! Contact the Downtown Association The Main Street Four-Point Approach® is a unique preservation-based eco- Office for information on joining our nomic development tool that enables communities to revitalize Downtown and Design, Promotions, Organization, or Economic Vitality committees. neighborhood business districts by leveraging local assets - from historic, cultur- al, and architectural resources to local enterprises and community pride. It is a Get on our volunteer list! comprehensive strategy that addresses the variety of issues and problems that We frequently contact people for challenge traditional commercial districts. help with special events, Movies at Monteith, Downtown Cleanup and The ADA’s purpose is to: many other activities. Let us know if Promote Downtown Albany as the heart of the community and vital to the we can put you on our email list to health of our town. receive our monthly newsletter and Strengthen the economic viability by encouraging business diversity. volunteer opportunities list! Enhance the unique physical characteristics of Historic Downtown Albany. Be an advocate for downtown! Get to know your neighbors and To achieve its objectives, Albany Downtown Association is a partnership be- promote local business. tween a full-time executive director, a board of directors, staff, volunteer com- mittees, business owners, property owners, residents and community leaders. Downtown Association Benefits Albany Downtown Association Committees “Dine & Unwind” Restaurant Guide “Downtown is important because ORGANIZATION Cultivates partnerships, community involvement, and re- “Shop & Style” Shopping Guide it’s the heart and soul of any sources for the Downtown. Online Business Directory community. If you don’t have a DESIGN Supports a community’s transformation by enhancing the Quarterly Business Owner Meetings healthy downtown, you simply physical and visual assets that set the commercial district apart. Monthly Downtown Newsletter don’t have a healthy town.” ECONOMIC Focuses on economic tools to assist businesses and create Co-op Social Media Advertising VITALITY a supportive environment for entrepreneurs. Workshops and Technical Assistance - Ed McMahon, Chair Coordination of Grant Opportunities PROMOTION Positions the downtown as the center of the community while National Main Street Center creating a positive image that showcases a community’s unique characteristics 5 How to Spread the Word! You’re almost there! You’ve got your space. It’s updated to your style. You’ve Our Committees - Four-Point Approach done all the research and you are ready to open your doors! There are many local resources to help you spread the word! Albany Downtown Association: Involves creating a strong Supports a community’s Free Member Social Media Program - reach 5000+ on Facebook foundation for a sustainable transformation by Downtown Dollar Program revitalization effort, including enhancing the physical and visual assets that Co-op Advertising Opportunities cultivating partnerships, community involvement, and set the commercial Building Owner /Business Owner Mixers resources for the district. district apart. Introductions to your ADA Board, Fellow Entrepreneurs and City Partners. ORGANIZATION DESIGN Albany Visitors Association Have your events included on the visitor and city events calendars Albany Chamber of Commerce Sign up for a “Greeters” and host a morning meeting! ECONOMIC PROMOTION Attend Business After Hours to mingle with other business owners and managers. VITALITY Albany Democrat Herald Focuses on incentives and Frequently publishes articles that feature new businesses Positions the downtown or other economic tools to assist commercial district as the center Local Advertising Opportunities businesses, catalyze property of the community and hub of development, and create a Newspaper - Albany Democrat-Herald economic activity, while creating supportive environment for Radio - Bicoastal Media (KLOO, KRKT, KEJO), Boss Radio (KHJ), Eads a positive image that showcases entrepreneurs that drive local a community’s unique Broadcasting (KGAL, KSHO), Extra Mile Media (HOPE, KWIL) economies. characteristics. Cable TV / Streaming - Comcast (Efectv) Annual Downtown Albany Events Albany Taps & Caps Tap House Crawl Downtown Revitalization Awards Mixology Madness Craft Brew Smackdown Beer Walk Historic Preservation Month Downtown Halloween Character Hunt Downtown Wine Walk Downtown Trick-or-Treat Historic Interior Home Tour Veterans’ Day Parade River Rhythms Concert Series Downtown Unwrapping & Holiday Open House Summer Sounds Concert Series Small Business Saturday Crazy Daze Sidewalk Sale Twice Around Christmas Parade & Community Movies at Monteith Tree Lighting Antiques in the Streets & Classic Car Christmas Parlour Tour Show Christmas Eve Sing-Along Welcome to 1 Downtown Albany! We are happy that you have chosen Downtown. Here are a few benefits of being here: • A Center for Shopping & Entertainment • Pedestrian-Friendly, Tree-lined Streets • Growing Culinary District • Vibrant Blend of Shops and Services • Strong Downtown Association • Active Community Support • Beautifully Restored Historic District J.C. Penney Building, Renovated 2009 - 2010 using $700,000 from the city’s Urban Renewal District. • Urban Renewal Funding • Small Business Development Center Own a Historic Building in Downtown? • Albany’s Commercial and Civic Center • Attractions That Draw People Landmarks Advisory Commission Project review is required on exterior renova- tions of historic homes and commercial prop- • 200,000+ People Locally 333 Broadalbin St. SW PO Box 490 erties. Contact Planning for details. • 1 Million People within One Hour Albany, Oregon 97321 • An Active Visitors Center Free technical assistance is available for any 541-917-7550 historic renovation or rehabilitation project • Growing Number of Tourists www.cityofalbany.net/comdev/historic through the Albany’s Landmarks Advisory • Ample City Owned Parking Lots Commission. • Free Customer Parking State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) The Oregon SHPO has tax incentive programs 725 Summer St. NE, Suite C to encourage the appropriate rehabilitation Salem, OR 97301 and maintenance of historic properties. (503) 986-0688 Eligibility is limited to properties that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. EAT SHOP PLAY www.hcd.state.or.us/shpo in Downtown Albany See our Grant Opportunities Brochure for more information! Learn to run your business more efficiently and with greater confidence! “When the streets are full of people, it’s often because of the Linn-Benton Community College The LBCC SBDC offers free business coun- Albany Downtown Association. More than sponsoring events, The Small Business Development Center seling and a broad range of other services Albany Downtown Association provides guidance, resources, and 541-917-4930 including: classes, workshops, and one-on- connections that can help downtown businesses thrive.” one advising. - Kaymarie Novak Economic Incentives Finding Your 4 and Helpful Programs 2 Ideal Space Downtown Central Albany Revitalization Agency (CARA) Downtown is one of Albany’s four National Register Historic Districts making up the best City of Albany Urban Renewal District, Formed in 2001. stock of historic buildings in Oregon with architectural styles dating to the mid-1800s. • Where does it make sense for your business to be? Seth Sherry, Urban Renewal Manager • Does your business rely on high visibility? 541-791-0180 • Would it do well with an office setting? www.cityofalbany.net/departments/cara-urban-renewal Historic Downtown Albany is home to a variety of property types: retail storefronts, restaurants, office spaces, residential buildings, mixed-use, old mills and warehouses, CARA Programs in a variety of configurations and sizes. The Albany Revitalization Agency provides funding for specific improvements within the CARA district. It's objectives include retaining and enhancing the value of For businesses wanting to locate in the Historic Downtown District, the Albany existing private investment and public investment in the area. Downtown Association is here to help. Our team is familiar with current inventory and prior uses of most Downtown spaces. Downtown properties available for lease and for sale are listed on our website under “Spaces”. A free, confidential City of Albany Pre- application Meeting is recommended before signing a contract (see Section 3). The community's commitment to the downtown core is evident in projects like the Streetscape improvements and the upcoming Willamette riverfront transformation. This is a great time to invest in Albany! See the CARA website for program updates and great before and after photos! Projects Funded In Recent Years J.C. Penney Building Renovation Broeder’s Meat Market