The Philomath City Council recently gave the city manager its approval to move forward with the city’s Commercial Building Façade Improvement Grant Program.
A pilot phase of the program got off the ground in 2023 with three projects to receive up to $10,000 in matching funds to qualifying building owners for façade improvements that align with the city’s recently-adopted Timber Town theme.
City Manager Chris Workman said one of those three businesses have completed their projects — Dirt Road Brewing. The other two applications have not yet started construction and have until September 2026 to submit invoices or receipts for reimbursement.
“I would hate to skip funding projects this year because we’re waiting for the others to get done,” Workman told the council at its May 12 meeting. “I’ve got businesses interested knocking at the door, some current landowners, some future property owners.”
Funds of $30,000 were allocated in the Community Development Fund for both the current budget and proposed 2025-26 budget, Workman said.
“This is one of my favorite things that we do because I feel like you can, well in one particular instance, you can see that it’s made an impact,” said Mayor Christopher McMorran, a reference to Dirt Road Brewing.
Workman said that coming out of the pilot phase, a few changes have been made, such as simplifying language in the application.
“We are going to change the architect that we’re using for the second phase that will look at the Timber Town elements that the city’s put together and help the property owner incorporate those into their new design,” added Workman, citing another change.
The project approval process involves a selection committee.
McMorran said he believes the program can have a “snowball effect” in the city’s commercial area that not only leads to a refreshed look but attracts more businesses and investment.
“I think it’s been a great program,” Workman said. “I see it helping property owners in town for the next three, four years.”
The council was in favor of continuing the program on a 6-0 vote (Rich Saalsaa absent).
