Why Downtown Matters
Downtowns are important because they represent the heart and soul of a community.
A healthy, vibrant downtown is an indicator of the economic and community condition of the City and the County, which in turn contributes to its overall growth, economic potential and perception.
Image by Megan Steffen, Untapped Media Inc.Â
Image by Travel MedfordÂ
Downtown Medford
Downtown Medford is our place to gather and build community, create a sense of place and pride, and celebrate our historic character. At the heart of our downtown’s success is its ability to offer residents, visitors and employees a safe, welcoming and vibrant environment. A successful Downtown is essential to attracting businesses and talent, while supporting existing businesses. Downtown Medford is positioned to lead southern Oregon as a vibrant pedestrian-friendly Downtown that serves as the premier center for the arts, dining, retail, entertainment, business and urban life.​
Downtown Medford
Downtown revitalization success is critical to our ability as a region to retain and grow existing businesses, and a talented workforce, and attract new business, industries, and investment.
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Below are some statistics gathered from our Main Street Network and Economic Development Sources.
- Downtown is home to locally owned, independent businesses that keep 68% of their revenue recycling back into the community.
- A healthy, vibrant downtown is an indicator of the economic condition of the City and the County.
- Downtown businesses provide employment opportunities at all skill levels.
- Successful downtown businesses can pay higher business privilege and mercantile taxes, contributing to the overall growth and economic improvement of the City and County.
- A healthy downtown enhances property values and expands the City’s tax base.
- A vibrant downtown creates a sense of place and pride for the community.
- A downtown reduces sprawl by concentrating commercial activity in one area.
- It serves as an incubator—for new, small, and locally owned businesses.
- Downtowns preserve and improve property values—in both immediate and surrounding residential neighborhoods.
- The rehabilitation of old buildings supports the local economy by employing local trades… and local tradesmen usually purchase local building materials.
- Downtowns serve as a community space where members of all segments of the community can come together for parades and other community events.
- The downtown is usually home to a community’s arts and cultural offerings—which also act as an economic driver and catalyst for business development.
Downtown Objectives
Support existing businesses
Attract more businesses
advocate for more housing –additional spending, activity, and vibrancy
Need for diversified businesses –essential businesses: i.e., food market, pharmacy, cleaners, etc.
More customers –
More events, art, and culture
Vibrant appearance, healthy buildings, clean streets,
Safety
Support tourism
Downtown Obstacles
- What comes first, business or people?
- Do businesses create the market or does the market create the business?
- If we add more employment will that bring more people for entertainment, shopping, and dining, and will they be around at night and during the weekends? Do we stay open now and see if people come?
- If more housing is added will that bring more people for entertainment, shopping, and dining, and will they be around at night and during the weekends? Do we stay open now and see if people come?
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