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Brookings, Oregon

Brookings' Tax Dollars Pave the Way for Safer, More Accessible Highway 101

Hard at work: Construction crews work diligently to complete the improvements along Highway 101.

BY LINDA LEE

Curry Coastal Pilot

Local tax dollars are actively at work in Brookings, transforming a vital stretch of Highway 101 into a safer and more accessible thoroughfare for pedestrians and cyclists alike. The ongoing project, spearheaded by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), is set to signiﬁcantly upgrade the infrastructure along a three-quarter mile section of the highway, bridging downtown Brookings and the popular Harris Beach State Park. The U.S. Highway 101 Parkview Drive to Lucky Lane project is more than just a facelift; it’s a crucial accessibility overhaul.

Continued Improvements: Heavy Equipment is aiding in the improvements. Contractors are diligently replacing sidewalk curb ramps at multiple points between Easy Street and Lucky Lane. These new ramps will meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance standards, ensuring improved access for individuals using wheelchairs and enhancing overall pedestrian mobility. Further north, near Ransom Creek, the improvements extend to include a more than 1,000-foot extension of the northbound Highway 101 bike lane and sidewalk. A new push-button pedestrian crossing, complete with ﬂashing lights, will be installed near Ransom Avenue, boosting safety for those crossing the busy highway. Additionally, adjustments to the highway travel lanes between Heather

Lane and Arnold Lane aim to optimize traffic flow. Drivers in Brookings should anticipate intermittent daytime lane and shoulder closures within the work zone. While flaggers will be on hand to manage traffic, most delays are expected to be brief, though some could extend up to twenty minutes. Local motorists should also remain vigilant for occasional lane closures on side roads adjacent to the construction. When sidewalks are temporarily closed, alternate pedestrian routes will be clearly marked and provided. The majority of the construction will occur during daylight hours, though some night work may be necessary. Residents in the vicinity should be prepared for typical

construction noise associated with road and sidewalk improvements. The contract for this significant undertaking was awarded to Tidewater Contractors of Brookings, following a successful bid of $3,143,165. This keeps local tax dollars circulating within the community while ensuring the project benefits from local expertise. ODOT is responsible for the overall contract and delivery of the project. The agency has collaborated closely with the City of Brookings throughout the planning and design phases and will continue to coordinate with city officials as construction progresses towards its anticipated completion in September.

Port Orford gets state grant for visitor center project

The state grant is designed to complete structural repair and revitalization of the Port Orford Visitor Center.

Oregon Heritage Grants and Outreach Coordinator Kuri Gill said the Port Orford grant is for $41,481 with a match grant amount of $19,381. The funding is to complete structural repair and revitalization of the Port Orford Visitor Center at 520 Jefferson Street in Port Orford. “The department funded Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant (OMSRG) applications that best conveyed the ability to stimulate private investment and local economic development, ﬁt within the community’s longrange plan for downtown vitality,

JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.

Oregon Heritage, a division of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, has awarded 35 matching grants worth over $10,600,000 to Oregon Main Street Network organizations across the state, including Port Orford and Gold Beach Main Street, for building projects that will strengthen local economies. The projects range from façade improvement to basic facilities and housing with awards ranging from $17,900-$400,000.

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and community need, Gill said. “Several projects will address a variety of preservation needs to increase the viability of spaces for existing businesses or opportunities for new businesses.” Other funded south coast projects are located in Gold Beach and North Bend. The local organizations participating in the Oregon Main Street Network developed plans based on community input to prioritize needs and solutions for the commercial district and city. The funds brought to the community by the local organizations

through this grant will provide signiﬁcant economic development impacts. “Vibrant downtowns don’t just happen,” Oregon Main Street Coordinator Sheri Stuart said. “They take the collective efforts coordinated by local main street organizations to achieve a community’s vision based on short- and long-term goals. The OMSRG is an important tool to help strengthen local economies by activating underused spaces while preserving and leveraging a community’s heritage.”

BACKGROUND Since its creation by the Oregon Legislature in 2015, the Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant has supported building projects to stimulate economic vitality in 59 communities. The local Main Street organizations administer the application and grant processes for the local property owners. These organizations brought between $53,000 to $900,000 to their communities through the life of the program, which awarded grants in 2017, 2019, 2022 and 2023. For example, the City of Reedsport has improved 10 properties and has six more in progress over multiple grant cycles which represents a significant investment downtown. The grant program was created during the 2015 legislative session and placed with the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office. The legislation established a permanent fund for the Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant, with an initial infusion of funds from the sale of lottery bonds. If funded by the 2025 state legislature, there will be future grant rounds in the 25-27 biennium. The funds must be used to award grants to participating Oregon Main Street Network organizations to acquire, rehabilitate or construct buildings to facilitate community revitalization. The program also requires that at least 50 percent of the funds go to rural communities as defined in the bill. To learn more about the Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant or the Oregon Main Street Network, visit www.oregonheritage.org or contact Kuri Gill at Kuri.gill@oprd.oregon.gov or 503-986-0685.

Phone Number: 541-813-1717 • Address: 519 Chetco Avenue, Unit 7, Brookings, OR 97415 • Email: Circulation@CountryMedia.net

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