Urban Renewal: Revitalizing Downtown Warrenton

The Warrenton Urban Renewal Agency (URA) was established in February 2007 to revitalize downtown Warrenton. URA created an urban renewal district that encompasses 875 acres that covers downtown and extends along S Main Ave to just south of Warrenton High School. URA outlined the types of land use, projects, and financing in an Urban Renewal Plan & Report that is required by ORS 457. Approximately $1.7 M was dedicated to urban renewal eligible projects in the Plan, which is expected to retire in 2027. Since 2007 funds have been expended and obligated to various projects including improvements to the Warrenton Marina and landscaping improvements to S Main Avenue as well as facade improvement grants to property owners and businesses to renovate the exterior of buildings.

Starting in 2018, URA is considering a "substantial amendment" that would increase the maximum indebtedness of the urban renewal district from the original $1.7 M to potentially $4.8 M. URA hired Elaine Howard Consulting to conduct a study to understand the implications of the amendment and help the city prioritize projects over the next five years. The Warrenton Urban Renewal Advisory Committee (WURAC), which provides advice to the URA, meets quarterly on the first Wednesday. The WURAC recommended a proposed set of priority projects on March 6, 2019. In addition, a public open house is scheduled for August 15 @ 5 pm in City Hall to present potential projects that would be financed with the amendment.

UPDATE: On November 12, 2019 the City Commission adopted Ordinance No. 1230 which approved the new URA Plan & Report and additional funding for improving downtown.

If you have any questions about any URA projects, please contact planner@warrentonoregon.us - 503 861 0920.

Façade Improvement (Commercial) Grant

The Warrenton Urban Renewal Agency (WURA) was created in 2007 to revitalize downtown Warrenton. The Façade Improvement Grant Program is a matching grant program of the City of Warrenton Urban Renewal Agency approved by the Urban Renewal Agency in 2014. Matching grants to qualified projects will generally be awarded on a first come, first served basis within the dollars allocated for the program per budget year. The program is targeted to commercial or mixed-use properties within the downtown area on S Main Ave from E. Harbor Drive to 4th St.

If you're interested in learning more about this great opportunity, please contact Dawne Shaw, City Recorder at cityrecorder@warrentonoregon.us, or 503-861-0823.

Residential Improvement Grant

The Residential Improvement Grant Program is a matching grant program of the City of Warrenton Urban Renewal Agency (WURA) approved by the Urban Renewal Agency in 2022. Matching grants to qualified projects will generally be awarded on a first come, first served basis within the dollars allocated for the program per budget year. This program is targeted to residential properties within the Urban Renewal District.

The purpose of the Residential Improvement Grant Program is to encourage rehabilitation and redevelopment of residential properties within the District by providing a grant program to improve the property's appearance and condition.

For questions about URA grant eligibility, please contact the City Recorder at cityrecorder@warrentonoregon.us or 503-861-0823.

Warrenton Urban Renewal District Plan

The City of Warrenton Urban Renewal Plan has been prepared to further encourage infill, rehabilitation and redevelopment that is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Regulations adopted by the Warrenton City Commission. The Renewal Plan is intended to guide the provision of infrastructure necessary for the orderly and proper improvement and redevelopment of the District. Through implementation of the Plan, economic development will be stimulated by the elimination of blighting conditions, provision of supporting public facilities, and general improvements in the overall appearance, condition, and function of the downtown, marina and the District in its entirety. The Warrenton, Oregon Urban Renewal Plan presented in this document meets the requirements of Chapter 457 of the Oregon Revised Statutes. The Plan also complies with other federal, state and local laws pertaining to urban renewal plans.

Warrenton Urban Renewal Report

The City of Warrenton Urban Renewal Report has been prepared to provide the essential background information on the area to the Urban Renewal Agency, the City of Warrenton Planning Commission and City Commission, and the citizens of the community. The report has been prepared to comply with State law regarding Urban Renewal (ORS 457.085). It is intended to be used in conjunction with the Warrenton Urban Renewal Plan. The capitalized headings at the beginning of each major section of this report directly correspond to the information required by ORS 457.

Supporting Documents

Memo: Maximum Indebtedness Increase 2018 (102 KB)

Presentation: MI Increase 2018 (1 MB)

Project Matrix URAC Meeting 3-6-19 (81 KB)

Substantial Amendment Presentation July 23, 2019 (574 KB)

Ordinance 1230: URA Plan & Report November 2019 (18 MB)

Recorded Substantial Amendment (7 MB)

Ordinance 1237 Correcting Legal Description (1 MB)

Web Links

Façade Improvement (Commercial) Grant Program

Residential Improvement Grant Program