The Canby City Council, in its role as the Urban Renewal Agency, last month approved matching grants for façade improvements at two pivotal downtown properties: the former Parsons building (now the headquarters of Caldera International) and the Holly Mall, which contains Pappy’s Greasy Spoon, the Panaderia Oaxaca and other businesses.
Both projects will involve cleaning and repainting of the exterior masonry. The Holly Mall is also replacing signage and exterior light fixtures, while Caldera is reinstalling double doors and windows on the Grant Street side of the building.
The doors and window will serve a suite intended for Canby’s independent bookstore, The Book Nook, which is expected to move in later this month.
Canby Economic Development & Tourism Coordinator Calvin LeSueur noted the Holly Mall’s application was particularly strong because it has several vacancies — most of them highly visible storefronts on NW 2nd Avenue.
The city hopes the facelift, coupled with private investment, will help make the mall more inviting for customers, residents and potential tenants.
Both requests were approved unanimously.
The city’s façade improvement program provides grants of up to $25,000, with matching funds required from the property owner. The program has funds to accommodate approximately three projects per year, depending on the size of requests.
Previous beneficiaries of the program include Bricks & Minifigs, Canby Station, the former Canby Herald building, Country Side Living and Ebner’s Custom Meats.
