North Bend Main Street manager previews preservation projects, ADA upgrades and 2027 conference

Stephanie Wilson, North Bend’s Main Street manager, briefed the Historic Landmark Commission on recent and planned downtown preservation work and related programming.

Wilson said North Bend has three properties on the national historic register (the McCullough Memorial Bridge, the Liberty Theatre and Hotel North Bend) and highlighted work to return historic features to downtown buildings. She described a roots-art program that brings historians and educators to teach students about local shipbuilding and display student artwork at the April 10 art walk.

Wilson described recent grant-funded façade preservation work, noting projects must meet the Secretary of the Interior standards and be reviewed by the State Historic Preservation Office to qualify for the grants. She cited an ongoing rehabilitation at 2076 Sherman Avenue (formerly Sunbomb Shoe Service, later Ciccarelli’s, now North 40) where the Urban Renewal Agency uncovered original transom windows and preserved historic signage behind protective sheeting.

Wilson also said downtown businesses are planning ADA improvements, citing Bay Books by the Bay as an example that will install new ADA doors to meet accessibility standards. She announced plans for expanded historic walking tours in July, August and September and confirmed Delivery Theater will host parts of the 2027 Oregon Main Street conference, which is designed to route participants through downtown to patronize local restaurants and businesses. Wilson asked commissioners to “save the date, July 19,” for a Jubilee walking tour.

Wilson framed the Main Street work as complementary to the Urban Renewal downtown workforce-housing effort, saying the programs aim to balance preservation with economic vitality and visitor attraction.

The Historic Landmark Commission had no substantive comment and adjourned the presentation.