Downtown business owner urges Oregon City to adopt Main Street closure policy to protect commerce

Tara Wansdahl, owner of Watershed Cafe on Main Street, told the Oregon City Commission on Feb. 4 that the city’s current approach to street closures gives too much discretion to staff and creates real economic harm for downtown businesses.

"Main Street is not an ordinary street. It's the economic and cultural center of Oregon City," Wansdahl said during the public‑comment period, arguing that the municipal code (OCMC 10.25) grants the city manager authority to approve or deny street‑closure permits without routine commission review. Wansdahl said there is no cap on frequency or duration of closures and no objective criteria for assessing business impact.

Wansdahl urged the commission to direct staff to develop a commission‑adopted, tiered policy: routine, low‑impact closures could remain administratively approved, while higher‑impact or multi‑day events would require commission oversight or formal criteria. She recommended clear limits on frequency and duration and predictable rules so businesses can plan.

Commissioners acknowledged the concern and directed staff to include the subject in the March 10 work session packet on special events and street‑closure permitting. Several commissioners emphasized the need for more than notice alone: they said the discussion must address who benefits, who pays, and measurable impact on adjacent businesses.

Why this matters
Downtown closures can shift customers and revenues for small businesses that operate on thin margins, and a policy that clarifies decision authority and economic safeguards could reduce unexpected losses and disputes.

What comes next
City staff confirmed that the March 10 work session will include an update on special‑event permitting and street closures; staff will return with options that could include objective criteria, caps on frequency/duration, notification practices, and a defined role for commission review.