As the year comes to a close, we want to thank you for supporting the Albany Downtown Association in 2018.
With the help of generous Downtown property owners funding the EID, TLT funds from visitor stays, support from the City of Albany, and sponsor and member contributions, our organization accomplished a lot this year in partnership with Downtown volunteers, businesses and building owners.
Spring was marked by our annual Downtown Spring Clean Up then our Design Committee volunteers put up the Downtown Hanging Baskets and installed our Downtown Parklets. The Promotions Committee held our 3rd Annual Downtown Restaurant Week in April with 14 Downtown restaurants participating (up from 12 in 2017). Economic Development launched a Downtown Welcome Brochure to help prospective Downtown businesses learn about Downtown and City programs and give new businesses the tools to get a good start. The brochure received a statewide award later in the year.
Summer brought the completion of the Downtown Streetscape with traffic patterns returning to normal and installation of Wayfinding Signs. Developing the signage has been a long time collaborative project with our City partners. Lots of locals and visitors joined us for Crazy Daze and Movies at Monteith.
Fall necessitated another Downtown Clean Up to get after those pesky leaves. Our Economic Vitality Committee and ADA members recognized individuals and businesses through our Downtown Revitalization Awards program. It was rewarding seeing two Albany winners move on to receive state-level honors at the Oregon Main Street Revitalization awards which the Albany Downtown Association hosted in September. Downtown Trick-or-Treat brought hundreds of families to our sidewalks. The addition of photo stations and a Facebook costume contest was a big hit!
Throughout the year, we actively work with building owners and prospective tenants on location pre-planning, grant opportunities, and other business support. Historic preservation and revitalization mean full buildings with happy tenants and plenty of customers. We strive to do that every day.
The holidays are full of traditions … decorating holiday windows for Downtown Unwrapped, the Downtown Holiday Movie and Christmas Parlour Tour to mention a few. We marked the 19th Annual Downtown Twice Around Christmas Parade followed by the Community Tree Lighting. It was the best field of entries in years and the largest attendance on record.
Nineteen years ago my husband, Chuck, and I carried 2-month-old Sabrina in the first parade. Also, at that first parade was 1-month-old Jacob Bond with his parents Jason and Rebecca Bond. Since that night they have been lifelong friends with this shared family memory watching the parade together year after year. Know that your support helps make those kinds of memories. Thank you for making a difference with so many families and friends in 2018!
All the Best for a Prosperous New Year,
Lise Grato
Executive Director
