It wants the downtown area included in the Main Street Program

The Albany Main Street Committee has applied for the city's downtown area to be accepted into the Oregon Main Street Program.

If included, cities with populations of less than 50,000 people receive assistance in revitalizing their downtowns, preserving their unique identity, and creating opportunities for economic development.

The Main Street Program is a national program that has assisted communities for more than 30 years through the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

More than 1,600 communities in 40 states are participating in the program.

The Albany committee is comprised of people from the Albany Downtown Association, the Albany Visitor's Association, and the city of Albany.

Albany is one of five cities applying for the designation in Oregon. Other applicants include Oregon City, Roseburg, Baker City, and a northeast Portland neighborhood. Potentially more than one city could be selected for the program.

The committee will give an oral presentation Sept. 9 to the selection committee, and Gov. Ted Kulongoski will announce the cities selected on Sept. 25.

If selected, the program would be administered through the Albany Downtown Association and would require a downtown manager, a budget, a board of directors, and several committees. Anyone interested in becoming involved can contact Kate Porsche at 497-6228 or by email kate.porsche@cityofalbany.net.

Democrat-Herald