Downtown Jobs Initiative:  Introduction

The Downtown Jobs Initiative – Resort Street Area Improvement Project is a very large undertaking being promoted by the City of Baker City in partnership with Leo Adler Memorial Parkway, Inc.  It is, in its basic form, a combination of several short- and long-term plans into one overriding project.  Utilizing segments of Historic Baker City’s 1997 Resort Street Streetscape Plan, the 2001 Plan of Historic Baker City and the 1997 Leo Adler Memorial Parkway conceptual plan, the Voice of the River, a multi-component project has formed and is currently being implemented.

Four key elements will be addressed over the course of the next several years.  These elements include:

Completion of the Leo Adler Memorial Parkway between Washington and Geiser-Pollman Park and establishment of a connection with downtown Baker City;

• Creation of a centrally located public park with off-street public parking between Resort Street and the Powder River;
• Rehabilitation of Resort Street with new sidewalks, trees, benches, light poles and other streetscape improvements; and
• Development of a plaza at Court Street between Main and Resort, creating a gateway to the Public Park and Parkway.

In August of 2005, the City Council prioritized each of these projects after considering public comments received from earlier open meetings and Planning Commission hearings.  City staff is working to develop funding sources for these projects in the order of priority. 

1. Leo Adler Memorial Parkway
   Central Park/Public Parking
2. Resort Street Streetscape Improvements
3. Court Street Plaza

This web site is designed to keep the public informed as new information becomes available.  The following links will give you a more detailed description of each individual project as well as provide updates.  If you have questions or comments, please email us at jwatkins@bakercity.com.

Links:

Priority #1:  Leo Adler Memorial Parkway and Central Park/Public Parking
Priority #2:  Resort Street Streetscape Improvements
Priority #3:  Court Street Plaza
February 28, 2006 Project Update
April 15, 2006 Project Update
June 15, 2006 Project Update
April 14, 2005 Public Comments
April 28, 2005 Public Comments
September 30, 2006 Project Update