CANYON CITY City and community leaders told the Grant County Court last week that a $50,000 investment from the county road fund could produce more than $1 million dollars in improvements to the John Day business district.

The Court put off deciding whether to commit the money, however. County Judge Mark Webb said he wanted more information on the benefits of that work, as well as time for Commissioner Scott Myers, who was absent, to hear about the proposal.

The Court is expected to take up the matter again at its Jan. 26 meeting.

The city is applying for a state Transportation Enhancement Grant to pay for about $1.4 million worth of work. The project, proposed in two phases, would put major utility lines underground, replace aging and uneven sidewalks, and update the hodgepodge of old street lighting along Highways 26 and 395 through the city core.

We want to open it up, make it more pedestrian-friendly, more business-friendly, and more attractive for tourists and business alike, John Day City Manager Peggy Gray told the Court.

The city hopes to secure a commitment for the matching funds in time to notify the the state during a comment period that ends Friday, Jan. 28.

The state program requires a match of about 10 percent $143,000 in this case. That match can in include in-kind contributions, but city officials recently were told that applications are more likely to be approved if they also include a cash match.

The city proposes to provide in-kind staff time and equipment valued at $75,000 and a cash contribution of $20,000. Officials hope the county will commit $50,000 toward the cash match, an investment they see as leverage toward a million-dollar project.

We see that as a significant return on investment for the County Court and for all county residents, noted a letter signed by Mayor Bob Quinton; Les Zaitz, chair of the Grant County Economic Council, and Tammy Bremner, Chamber of Commerce president. They were joined at the Court session by Mytchell Mead, Economic Council member; Dave Holland, John Day public works director, and Mary Weaver, Grant County fairgrounds director.

Quinton said the project isnt just about improving the appearance of John Day, but also making it a better draw for visitors, prospective residents and new businesses.

We all know perception is a big part of anyone wanting to locate in John Day, he said. You never know whos coming through John Day. It could be the next person whos going to employ 30 people in the county.

He said the proposed project also will address safety issues related to deteriorating sidewalks and upgrade the hodge-podge of old lighting on the main roadways.

He said the court has rightfully advocated for the needs of the countys natural resources industries, and if those efforts succeed, the downtown core will be even more important.

We definitely want the downtown businesses to be there to provide the services that those industries and their employees will need, he said.

Quinton said it would benefit all of the county, since residents from other communities come to John Day to do business.

Bremner, who also is the city recorder in Canyon City, said some downtown businesses are struggling right now, and they need the countys help. 

If you have an attractive downtown, people are more inclined to stop, she said. Curb appeal and aesthetics are important.

She said noted that over the years, the county has helped other cities with their improvement projects. 

Zaitz said the appeal to the county came after an Economic Council meeting in December that focused on downtowns. About 40 people from across the county attended to learn about the Oregon Main Street program and how it might help in Grant County. 

He said the discussion sparked interest in devising a common strategy to leverage resources and help communities across the county improve their downtowns.

He said the citys project seemed a good fit with that effort. Since then the backers have rounded up endorsements from various other agencies and businesses. Last week, they gave the Court supportive letters from the Grant County Fair Board, the John Day/Canyon City Parks and Recreation District, Oregon Telephone Co., Bank of Eastern Oregon and the Economic Council. Local merchants Jeanette Hueckman and Greg Armstrong also expressed support.

Webb, however, said he wanted to see more evidence of the support for the project, noting that its easy to write letters of support without taking ownership or buying in.

Gray said she would get the Court some materials on research showing the benefits of downtown improvements.

Commissioner Boyd Britton asked if businesses would face extra costs to hook up to utilities when the lines are buried. Gray said the businesses wont face new costs since their utility connections tend to be in the back of the buildings and those lines wont be affected. Only the major power lines on the main street will be buried. 

The citys franchise agreements for electricity and phone require the utilities to move their lines underground, at their own expense, if the city requests that action.