Main Street Grants Pass says membership and event goals met; council asks for revenue forecasts

Main Street Grants Pass told the City Council on May 4 that it has met early contract targets and will continue quarterly reporting as staff and council weigh future funding.

Dana Pierce, economic development division staff, summarized the one-year contract and its three performance measures, saying the agreement “is the expectation that we have of Main Street Grants Pass to provide merchant engagement and coordination” and that the contract requires at least 30 members, four volunteer-staffed pillars, and three coordinated events. Pierce recapped that a $50,000 resolution was approved by council last October, the one‑year agreement was authorized in December and executed Jan. 23, and that Dan Small was hired as executive director on March 2.

The presentation and follow-up report showed membership at 35 and that the four subcommittee pillars met in April with regular monthly schedules. Small highlighted early programming, saying first‑Friday events ran in February, March and April and that the organization hopes to broaden event coverage downtown: “We had a concert at The Hive, and it was buzzing,” he said, describing store openings and a March scavenger-hunt that produced local engagement and a $750 prize winner.

Why it matters: Councilors asked whether the metric of a total member count gives the council enough insight into who benefits. Several members asked for a breakdown showing how many members are walk‑in, brick‑and‑mortar downtown businesses versus property owners or members at large, and whether Main Street activity translates into higher business revenue.

Council direction, reporting and next steps

Councilor Indra Pell pressed for forward-looking revenue forecasts and a business plan in case councilors are asked to provide ongoing funding beyond the initial allocation. Pierce said the contract requires only a total member count, not a member-type breakdown, but invited Main Street leadership to present additional detail. Dan Small said: “30 members is what we were tasked with getting. We’re happy to continue to grow that throughout the rest of the year” and offered to provide membership-type metrics and projections if council finds them valuable.

Small also addressed design assistance questions: the transcript records that the chair of the Historic Building Standards Committee sits on Main Street’s design committee and will be among chief consults to ensure recommendations meet city code.

What was not decided

This workshop was an informational update. Pierce and Small said monthly communications between Main Street and the city will continue and that staff will bring contract performance and funding availability back to council following the receipt of third‑quarter reports. No motions or votes were taken at the workshop.

At a glance

- Contract funding: $50,000 for one year (resolution passed Oct. 15).
- Contract metrics: 30 members; 4 active pillars staffed by volunteers; at least 3 coordinated events.
- Reported progress: membership reported at 35; pillars met in April; first‑Friday events held Feb–Apr; sponsorships and event budgets reported in Q&A.

Council requested that future updates include member-type breakdowns and, if Main Street seeks continued city funding, a revenue forecast or business‑plan elements to demonstrate impact on downtown businesses.