St Johns looks like it might get Main Street Program
This morning at 9 a.m., Mayor Sam Adams is scheduled to announce the winners of the city's Main Street Program, at LadyBug Cafe in St Johns. This is the first year of the city's program intended to help revitalize commercial streets. Three of the five of neighborhood commercial districts that applied will be selected. Applicants are St Johns, NE Alberta, Hillsdale, 42nd Avenue and Multnomah Village. Of those applicants both Multnomah Village and Hillsdale are located in Portland's relatively affluent and suburban southwest hills.
In 2000, the US Census reported that St Johns had the poorest commercial census tracts in the city. The area has seen significant investment and revitalization over the years. But unlike much of North and Northeast Portland, the area does not have investment tools like urban renewal to channel public dollars into local projects.
The five neighborhoods that qualified for the program were required to raise $30,000 in matching funds. The St Johns Boosters committed approximately $12,000 to the project.
If awarded, the Main Street program would, among other things, provide technical support and networking opportunities to help better market the district.