December 21, 2021 at 5:49 p.m.
Council gives OK to create district
Riverfront is designed to spur downtown development
Council gives OK to create district
Portland has a riverfront district.
Portland City Council on Monday voted to establish a “riverfront” district in an effort to drive economic development in the downtown area.
Consultant Ed Curtin of CWC Latitudes, who has been working with Portland Redevelopment Commission, explained the riverfront district as an area within 1,500 feet (about a quarter-mile) of a river in which communities can provide additional liquor licenses, at a lower cost, beyond the standard cap in order to spur restaurant development. The cost of the application is $250 and the overall cost of the license is significantly lower than going through the regular process.
The city’s redevelopment commission in October voted to seek city council approval for the establishment of the district. It approved guidelines to allow up to five liquor licenses. Businesses receiving such a license would be required to sell at least $150,000 in food annually and have more than 50% of their sales be food. Eligible businesses would have to be open for at least 300 days each year.
The district covers Meridian Street from Water Street to about Arch Street and also extends west along Walnut Street to just past Commerce Street and Main Street to between Ship and Main Streets.
The liquor licenses are not transferable and they require renewal on an annual basis, which gives the city some control over how they are used, Curtin said. He added that the goal is to create activity in the downtown area after regular business hours.
“For me, these tend to be a lot more about economic development than they do about selling alcohol,” said Curtin, noting that the process is a little easier for restaurants and can help them become profitable. “It’s an opportunity. It’s one that you all have a lot more control over.”
He added that the riverfront district can be expanded in the future if the city chooses to do so.
Portland Mayor John Boggs also reported that he and other local officials met recently with The Greazy Pickle owners Chris Grieshop and Thomas Emerick to discuss their building and the adjacent Bailey Building, which has fallen into disrepair. It was determined that the Bailey Building needs to be demolished at some point. One of the challenges of such a project is that it shares a common wall with The Greazy Pickle.
An engineering report showed that there are also two areas of concern with The Greazy Pickle because of loose bricks, he said.
Boggs added that The Greazy Pickle plans to address those concerns in the short-term and is also looking to relocate in the long-term.
He said the city and county are both looking into funds to help the business with that process.
In other business, council:
•Heard city attorney Bill Hinkle will resign from that role effective Dec. 31 as he begins to cut back on his work hours. He has served as city attorney for 21 years. Wes Schemenaur will take over as city attorney beginning Jan. 1.
•Approved an amendment to the city’s 2022 payroll ordinance to include a $5,000 bonus for “lateral transfers” hired by the city’s police department. It is paid at $1,000 after the first year, $1,500 after the second and $2,500 after the third. Also added was a bonus for officers who have a voice stress certificate, similar to bonuses offered for other certifications.
•Encumbered a total of $105,835.76 in 2021 funds to be dispersed for various expenses in 2022.
•Approved its COVID-19 policy for 2022, extending its rules from this year. The policy calls for employees who must miss work because of COVID-19 to be paid for up to five days. Any leave needed beyond five days will require employees to use sick days or vacation days. Employees who receive the coronavirus vaccine are eligible to receive a $300 gift card.
•Heard McClung encourage residents to get the coronavirus vaccine as cases continue to surge in Jay County and statewide. “If you know a nurse or love a nurse, get vaccinated,” he said. Boggs later acknowledged the rise in COVID-19 cases locally. “Please do what you can and what you will to keep yourself and others healthy during the holiday season,” he said.
•Wished the residents of Portland a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Portland City Council on Monday voted to establish a “riverfront” district in an effort to drive economic development in the downtown area.
Consultant Ed Curtin of CWC Latitudes, who has been working with Portland Redevelopment Commission, explained the riverfront district as an area within 1,500 feet (about a quarter-mile) of a river in which communities can provide additional liquor licenses, at a lower cost, beyond the standard cap in order to spur restaurant development. The cost of the application is $250 and the overall cost of the license is significantly lower than going through the regular process.
The city’s redevelopment commission in October voted to seek city council approval for the establishment of the district. It approved guidelines to allow up to five liquor licenses. Businesses receiving such a license would be required to sell at least $150,000 in food annually and have more than 50% of their sales be food. Eligible businesses would have to be open for at least 300 days each year.
The district covers Meridian Street from Water Street to about Arch Street and also extends west along Walnut Street to just past Commerce Street and Main Street to between Ship and Main Streets.
The liquor licenses are not transferable and they require renewal on an annual basis, which gives the city some control over how they are used, Curtin said. He added that the goal is to create activity in the downtown area after regular business hours.
“For me, these tend to be a lot more about economic development than they do about selling alcohol,” said Curtin, noting that the process is a little easier for restaurants and can help them become profitable. “It’s an opportunity. It’s one that you all have a lot more control over.”
He added that the riverfront district can be expanded in the future if the city chooses to do so.
Portland Mayor John Boggs also reported that he and other local officials met recently with The Greazy Pickle owners Chris Grieshop and Thomas Emerick to discuss their building and the adjacent Bailey Building, which has fallen into disrepair. It was determined that the Bailey Building needs to be demolished at some point. One of the challenges of such a project is that it shares a common wall with The Greazy Pickle.
An engineering report showed that there are also two areas of concern with The Greazy Pickle because of loose bricks, he said.
Boggs added that The Greazy Pickle plans to address those concerns in the short-term and is also looking to relocate in the long-term.
He said the city and county are both looking into funds to help the business with that process.
In other business, council:
•Heard city attorney Bill Hinkle will resign from that role effective Dec. 31 as he begins to cut back on his work hours. He has served as city attorney for 21 years. Wes Schemenaur will take over as city attorney beginning Jan. 1.
•Approved an amendment to the city’s 2022 payroll ordinance to include a $5,000 bonus for “lateral transfers” hired by the city’s police department. It is paid at $1,000 after the first year, $1,500 after the second and $2,500 after the third. Also added was a bonus for officers who have a voice stress certificate, similar to bonuses offered for other certifications.
•Encumbered a total of $105,835.76 in 2021 funds to be dispersed for various expenses in 2022.
•Approved its COVID-19 policy for 2022, extending its rules from this year. The policy calls for employees who must miss work because of COVID-19 to be paid for up to five days. Any leave needed beyond five days will require employees to use sick days or vacation days. Employees who receive the coronavirus vaccine are eligible to receive a $300 gift card.
•Heard McClung encourage residents to get the coronavirus vaccine as cases continue to surge in Jay County and statewide. “If you know a nurse or love a nurse, get vaccinated,” he said. Boggs later acknowledged the rise in COVID-19 cases locally. “Please do what you can and what you will to keep yourself and others healthy during the holiday season,” he said.
•Wished the residents of Portland a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
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