La Grande’s Urban Renewal Program Funds Award Winning Downtown Revitalization Projects.

Three downtown La Grande building renovation projects funded in part by the City’s Urban Renewal program, have recently been recognized with statewide awards.  “These are all great projects that have had a tremendous impact on the ongoing revitalization of our historic downtown and we’re thrilled to see these projects, and the property owners who have made this investment, being recognized.” noted La Grande Economic Development Director Timothy Bishop. “The Call For Projects grant program is one of the most effective economic development tools that we have and it’s exciting to see this program leveraging private sector investment that helps facilitate award winning projects like these.” 

Two La Grande Urban Renewal projects received Oregon Excellence On Mainstreet awards from the Oregon Main Street Program in October.

The Local Coffee Shop received recognition as an Outstanding Adaptive Reuse for repurposing a former abandoned Texaco station on the edge of La Grande’s historic downtown, into a coffee shop and ice cream parlor.

The Local Coffee Shop project received $64,000 in funding support from the La Grande Urban Renewal’s Call For Projects grant program. 

Brick Yard Lanes was named Outstanding Special Project for the multiyear redevelopment of an abandoned former Elks Lodge that is now home to a state-of-the-art bowling alley and bistro. 

Funding for the Brick Yard Lanes project included $80,000 form the La Grande Urban Renewal’s Call For Project grant program. 

In September, the restoration of the Putnam Building, at 1012 Adams Ave., La Grande was recognized with a 2022 DuMoro Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation from

The Putnam Building, built in 1911, was purchased in 2017 by the current owners. The building now has apartments and offices on the second floor, a small apartment on the mezzanine, and a first-floor bakery/Café.

The renovation of the building was funded with the help of a $100,000 grant from the Oregon Main Street Project and $65,000 from the La Grande Urban Renewal Agency’s annual Call For Projects grant program.

For more information about the Call For Projects grant program, or other development incentives Click HERE.