DOWNTOWN BEND
  • Home
  • Visit Downtown
    • Business Directory
    • Eat & Drink
    • Shopping
    • Lodging
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Beauty Services
    • Professional Services
    • Civic Services
    • Downtown Dollars >
      • Downtown Dollars | Digital
      • Downtown Dollars | Paper
  • DBBA Events
    • Partner Events
  • Downtown Advertising
    • Flower Basket Sponsorship
    • Banner Page 2023
    • Supersize My Marketing
    • Downtown Bend VIP Pass
  • Our Team
    • DBBA Volunteer Opportunities
  • Downtown Blog
  • DBBA Member Portal
    • DBBA Board Members >
      • DBBA Board Meetings & Minutes
    • The EID >
      • EID Map
    • Portal Information >
      • DBBA | New Business Setup
      • DBBA | Member Update
      • DBBA | Service Request
      • DBBA | Marketing Request
      • DBBA | Member Connect
      • DBBA | Anonymous Feedback
      • DBBA | DT Dollars for businesses >
        • Downtown Dollars Reseller Order Form
      • DBBA | Payment Portal
      • Downtown History
      • Contact Us

News from the heart of Bend!  10/22/2020

10/22/2020

8 Comments

 
*|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|*
View this email in your browser
Welcome to the Downtown Bend Newsletter!

We're just 9 days away from Halloween.  If you have a child under 12, make sure to send us their costume photos for our virtual costume contest, and if you're over 12, enter to win by competing in our Downtown Dares!  Plus, we've got a plethora of lovely Halloween home decor ideas - come stroll downtown and see all that we have to offer.

This week we'd like to recommend Barrio's Jibarito (fried plantain sandwiches with tajin, Colorado sauce, guacamole, and your choice of pork or yam). Mmmmm, delicious goodness!  For this week's featured cocktail, we'll have to go with J-DUB's Yard Sale Palmer (Oregon Spirit Bourbon, peach liqueur, topped with lemonade and house-brewed ice tea).  A visit to enjoy these places in Downtown Bend won't soon be forgotten.

Plus, for some Fall self-care, we suggest a massage at aos Wellness Spa on Bond Street in Downtown Bend.  Their massage sessions are therapeutic-based treatments with techniques specifically unique to aos Wellness Spa.  Click here to read more about the types of treatments available, or click here to book online. 

If you're reading this and you are not in Bend, remember that you can support all our local merchants via Downtown Bend Online! 
Featured Product
Village Interiors in Downtown Bend showcases beautiful home furnishings and decor for your new home or remodel. 

Right now they are featuring beautiful, one of a kind Fall centerpieces.... read more.
Featured Business
Scout and Pine recently opened on Minnesota Ave in Downtown Bend, owner Chris says, 
​“I opened Scout and Pine because I saw a need for an outdoorsy, casual gift store offering plenty for ladies, pets and kids, would also offer items for men as well...  read more.
News from the Downtown Association 
This week the DBBA was busy working to keep Downtown Bend vibrant and thriving! 
 
The DBBA met with Bend Police Department to further our collaborative efforts to keep Downtown clean and safe, the DBBA Board met and directed staff efforts....  read more. 
Downtown Bend Merchants urge you to VOTE!
Downtown Bend Merchants urge you to vote with a variety of products;
  • Black and white vote t-shirt from Bronwen Jewelry
  • Vote buttons from Via Delia, The Bend Store
  • Vote flower tee from Jubeelee
  • Vote hand-made necklace from Just a Little Charm
...and remember, Deschutes County has new ballot drop site locator tool: www.deschutes.org/returnmyballot.  Your voice matters! Vote today.
Commons Cafe invites you to party with them this season
The Commons Cafe is taking reservations for private holiday parties and get-togethers for the coming months. Their space is perfect for small groups of up to 40 people. Potlucks, catered meals, appetizers, and drinks have all been done. Line dancing in the great room, DJ, Karaoke, games, gift exchanges, etc.. all possible. They offer great rates, beer, wine, cider, a full espresso bar, audiovisual options and a very unique and historic space. For more information click here or email Dan at dan@thecommonsbend.com
Thank you for staying connected to Downtown Bend! 
Downtown Bend Business Directory
Downtown Bend Twitter
Downtown Bend Facebook
Downtown Bend Website
Contact Downtown Bend
Downtown Bend YouTube
Downtown Bend Pinterest
Downtown Bend Instagram
Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved.
*|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|*

Our mailing address is:
*|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|*

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

*|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*

Do you want to see more emails like this in your inbox?

Subscribe

* indicates required
8 Comments

Core Transportation System Plan Open House

2/3/2020

3 Comments

 
The City of Bend will be presenting on purposed changes to the city streets in the core of the City of Bend on Feb 13th from 5:30 to 6:30pm at Liberty Theatre, 829 NW Wall Street in Downtown Bend.
The Downtown Bend Business Association, the River West Neighborhood Association and the Old Bend Neighborhood Association are co-sponsoring this Open House.    
 
​These three associations have been working together closely for the past year on various issues that impacts the core of our city, and all three of their jurisdictions.  In addition, representatives from each of these associations served on various committees, including but not limited to, the ODOT Parkway Plan Sounding Board, the Downtown Bend Parking Advisory Committee (DPAC), the Citywide Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC), and the Bend Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).  
​
In early January,  Bend City Council agreed to send an approximately $180 million transportation bond measure to the May ballot.  You can learn more about the City purposed projects here:  https://www.bendoregon.gov/city-projects/safe-travel.  To learn about how this will impact the Downtown Bend/City Core, please join us for this Open House:
FEBRUARY 13TH, 2020
Join us to learn about upcoming changes to local streets. This is the complement to the ODOT meeting we previously hosted.  You'll be able to hear from City Councilor Chris Piper, Sally Russell, Mayor of Bend, and additional City staff.

Here you'll learn the answer to the question, "What will happen to our local streets in the downtown core in response to the parkway changes?"  Plus additional information on the TSP and upcoming Bond.
​
  • 5:30 to 6:30pm
  • @ At Liberty Theater
Picture
3 Comments

Downtown Bend Parking Update | Dec 2019

12/18/2019

4 Comments

 
Parking in Downtown Bend is an important discussion in our community.  In 2017, the City of Bend invested in a Downtown Strategic Parking Management Plan (to view the full plan, click here).  In 2018, the Downtown Bend Parking Advisory Committee (DPAC), and the DPAC Work Committee was formed.  This committee achieved several successes:
  • Partnered with Deschutes County to provide access to county lots for weekends and special events in downtown.  This essentially provided the community with the equivalent capacity of an additional parking garage at zero cost to tax payers during our busiest days of the year for parking demand.
  • Developed a relationship between the COB Streets & Operations Department and the Downtown Bend Business Association
  • Increased communication with Downtown Bend business owners & employees
  • Held public meetings/events to talk about parking in Downtown Bend
In 2019, in response from citizen concerns and feedback from the Neighborhood Leadership Alliance (NLA), the City of Bend expanded the scope of the City's Parking Manager position, and moved it from the City's Economic Development department into the City's Streets and Operations Department.  These changes allowed for a more robust, effective management of parking not only in Downtown, but also extending to other parts of the city.  The City then hired Tobias Marx as the new Parking Manager, the DPAC Work Committee began meeting again, and a work plan was created to enact the steps outlined in the Downtown Bend Strategic Parking Management Plan. 
Picture
The steps in this plan are designed to:
  • Improve the customer parking experience
  • Optimize utilization of available parking in Downtown Bend.
  • Establish funding for parking improvements and increasing future parking capacity.  

Some of the project identified for 2020 are:
  • Re-stripe the North Mirror Pond lot
  • Re-stripe the selected streets in the Downtown Bend Economic Improvement District (EID)
  • Center entrances to Troy lot, re-stripe & install more bike parking
  • Replace split elevator systems in the Centennial Garage
  • Repair cracked concrete in the Centennial Garage
  • Design and install new signage on all levels of the Centennial Garage
  • Investigate feasibility to change traffic flow to one-way in the Centennial Garage
  • Create a mural art program in the Centennial Garage
"We are really excited about the parking changes being developed for Downtown Bend," says Mindy Aisling, Executive Director of the DBBA, "and we are excited to work closely with the new parking manager and the City of Bend to assure that the needs our our businesses and customers are met throughout this process."

​The full list of strategies from the  Downtown Strategic Parking Management Plan are as follows:
​​1. Formalize the Guiding Principles as policies in appropriate City documents. 
2. Adopt the 85% Rule as the standard for measuring the performance of the parking supply and triggering specific management strategies, rates, permit prices and efforts by discrete zone. 
3. Centralize the management and administration of parking in a Parking Services Division, integrated with the broader program of transportation services management. 
4. Create the position of Parking Demand Manager for the City of Bend. Develop a job description and submit a service package to hire an appropriate individual. 
5. Establish a Downtown Parking Advisory Committee to assist in the implementation and ongoing review of the parking plan. 
6. Evaluate collection of data to measure parking impacts in select neighborhoods adjacent to the downtown, as well as feasibility and cost of neighborhood permit programs (e.g., administration, process and stakeholder education). 
7. Develop funding options to support parking management, maintain the existing parking supply, and support future growth, ensuring the financial feasibility of the system. 
8. Create a cohesive pricing policy for on- and off-street parking in downtown Bend. Support new policy with a rate/fee study to inform appropriate adjustments to current pricing formats to cover the cost of managing the downtown parking system. 
9. Evaluate and implement solutions to safety impediments that create inconvenient and inefficient connections to parking, e.g., lighting, sidewalk/paths, lot conditions, etc. 
10. Establish business-to-business and residential outreach on parking issues, including education and planning, and a Customer First Partnership with the Downtown Bend Business Association. 
11. Identify off-street shared-use opportunities based on data from the 2016 parking study. Establish goals for transitioning permit users and long-term parkers out of on-street parking, begin outreach to opportunity sites, negotiate agreements, and sell permits. 
12. Implement variable-rate pricing for on-street permits based on location, demand, and availability of parking. This will create pricing differentials between “premium” and underutilized locations. 
13. Reduce or phase out the number of “2-Hour or as Otherwise Specified” on-street stalls in coordination with Strategies 11 and 12 above to simply “2-Hour Parking”. 
14. Based on documented parking behavior, establish four distinct on-street parking management zones in the downtown parking district. Use 2016 or newer data to define the boundaries. 
15. Eliminate free parking for the first two hours at the Mirror Pond lots. 
16. Create a critical path timeline to a new parking brand that can be utilized at all City-owned lots and shared facilities, and in marketing/communications. 
17. Standardize the design of on-street parking signage in the parking management district and incorporate the new brand/logo. 
18. Rename all public parking facilities by address. 
19. Establish best-practice protocols and performance metrics for enforcement personnel and support enforcement with appropriate technology. 20. Where practical, expand the bike parking network to connect parking and the downtown, encouraging employee bike commute trips and drawing customers to downtown businesses. 
21. Develop a reasonable schedule of data collection—every two years —to assess the performance of the parking supply and support the 85% Rule for decision-making. 
22. Using data collected per Strategy 21, evaluate on-street pricing by zone in high-occupancy areas. If peak occupancy exceeds 85%, implement on-street pricing during enforcement hours where appropriate. - If on-street pricing is implemented, review on-street time stays established in Strategy 14. 
23. Eliminate free parking in the public garage when garage occupancies exceed 85% and on-street parking is priced. Implement demand-based pricing for all hours of enforced parking—e.g., hourly, evening, weekend, overnight, and event rates. 
24. Develop and implement improvements at the downtown public parking garage to enhance its appearance, identity, safety, revenue control, communications technology, and pedestrian access. 
25. Solicit firms to establish wayfinding and dynamic signage systems in the public right of way, integrated with the off-street system and using the brand/logo developed per Strategy 16. 
26. If existing parking becomes limited, explore expanding access capacity with new transit and parking. 
27. Develop cost forecasts and feasible financing methods for preferred parking supply and transit/shuttle options. 
28. Expand capacity as necessary and feasible.
For more information, please feel free to reach out to the DBBA at downtownbend@gmail.com

The DBBA is a small nonprofit with a mission is to 
grow the vitality of Downtown Bend by enhancing the experience, image, and lifestyle of the Economic Improvement District (EID).  For more information about the DBBA, visit www.downtownbend.org.
4 Comments

New Staircase on Lava Rd. in Downtown Bend

11/4/2019

18 Comments

 
The Doubletree Hotel sits on the edge of the Downtown Bend Economic Improvement District (EID), providing Bend visitors with excellent hospitality and a front door that leads right into the heart of Bend, our downtown.  

This access is provided by a long staircase from the Doubletree property to Lava Rd.  This year, the Downtown Bend Business Association (DBBA) and the Doubletree Hotel brought the condition of this staircase to the attention of the City of Bend, who owns the property.  
Picture
The Lava Rd staircase after project completion
Picture
Jacob, Doubletree Hotel manager and Mindy, DBBA Executive Director in front of the completed project.

The City of Bend quickly responded and they were able to complete the project before winter set it.  The Downtown Bend Business Association and the Doubletree Hotel would like to extend their appreciation to the City of Bend for helping visitors access the Downtown Bend boutiques, spas and restaurants owned by local Bend families! 
18 Comments

Parking Expanded in Downtown Bend

6/29/2019

3 Comments

 
Picture
The Downtown Bend Parking Advisory Committee (DPAC) has announced a partnership with Deschutes County and the City of Bend to provide access to free public parking at the Deschutes County Administration building parking lots on weekends and during special events. The Deschutes County Administration building parking lots, located between Wall Street, Lafayette Ave and Olney Ave, contain as many parking stalls as the Downtown Bend parking garage on Lava Rd and Oregon Ave.  DPAC anticipates that utilizing these parking lots at the Deschutes County Administration building, during the busy summer tourist and special event season, will allow more people to easily access Downtown Bend.  The parking lots will be available from Friday evening after 6pm to Sunday night.  
 
“Downtown Bend is one of the greatest assets of our City, and currently we are seeing parking reach capacity during our popular events and attractions”, says Aisling, Executive Director for the Downtown Bend Business Association, “This partnership will allow more people to experience our vibrant Downtown with ease.”

Picture
The Deschutes County parking lots are only 3 blocks from the core of Downtown Bend, with well-lit sidewalks on both sides of the road, making it easily walk-able to and from Downtown Bend.  For those who would rather catch a ride or require mobility assistance, DPAC has partnered with Ride Bend, a free shuttle service that operates 12pm to 8pm daily July 1st through Labor Day.  Ride Bend operates a ten-passenger shuttle van that riders can request on demand using the new Ride Bend app.

“Commute Options is excited to add a new park and walk option for folks to easily attend exciting happenings in Downtown Bend." said Kim Curley, with Commute Options and member of the DPAC, "Carpoolers can access free parking off the Bend Parkway and Wall Street and take an enjoyable walk to downtown. Ride Bend adds additional accessibility for families and individuals with disabilities.” 

The 
DPAC was created based on the goals outlined in the Downtown Strategic Parking Management Plan adopted by Bend City Council on June 7th, 2017.  The committee is responsible for outlining, advocating, and initiating decisions that will improve and maintain a vital transportation system for the City of Bend, and create a model that can be used city-wide for the betterment of the entire community.

Scott Douglass, CEO of Cascade Relays and member of the DPAC, said  “Parking demands are at their highest during our busy tourist season and especially during special events.  Through this partnership with Deschutes County, we are providing convenient free parking to the public within a few blocks of Downtown Bend.”

Additional Information
  • Ride Bend, click here
  • The Downtown Bend Parking Advisory Committee (DPAC), click here

3 Comments

Downtown Bend Summer Safety and Hospitality

6/19/2019

3 Comments

 
Picture
We are proud to report that there are several areas of alignment between the 2019-21 Downtown Bend Business Association's Goals and the  2019-21 Council Goals and Strategies. One of these aligned goals is to address livability crimes in the Downtown area.  A key step in this effort is increased patrols in the Downtown Economic Improvement District (EID) with Bend Police School Resource Officers during the busy summer season. Earlier this week Bend Police Department officers, City of Bend staff, and the Downtown Bend Business Association (DBBA) took a walk through the Downtown Bend EID.  You can expect to see these increased patrols within the EID in the coming week.

Picture
A common question we hear from business and building owners in Downtown Bend is when to report a crime, especially if it’s already happened or no one was there to witness it. Bend PD tracks crime data and has a team of officers that focuses on trouble spots. Even after the fact, you can log crime issues via the Police Department’s non-emergency number at 541-693-6911 or online by clicking here. Of course, if a crime is still in progress or there’s an emergency, please call 911! 

Picture
"The Downtown Bend Business Association's number one priority is to assure the people feel safe and welcomed in Downtown Bend."  says Aisling, Executive Director of the DBBA, "This year we were proud to be instrumental in getting the Downtown Bend Police Substation established, and this summer, in addition to working with the City of Bend, Bend Police Department, and Security Pros, we are also piloting our new Downtown Ambassador program.  We anticipate great results, and we are grateful to be able to provide our community and visitors with an outstanding experience in Downtown Bend."

Downtown Bend remains year after year the number one tourist destination in Bend, it is also currently the largest employer in Bend, as well as the City's civic center and cultural core.  With thousands upon thousands of people utilizing Downtown on a daily basis, providing a safe and welcoming culture is key to the vitality of our city.

3 Comments

Downtown Safety Cameras Installed

5/21/2019

3 Comments

 
Picture
The City is installing safety cameras downtown this week, one piece of a multi-faceted plan to make downtown feel safer and more inviting, in response to feedback from the public and downtown businesses.

​Some of the other incremental improvements in the downtown safety strategy include: removing garbage enclosures in the south Mirror Pond parking lot, increasing foot patrols, improving lighting in the parking garage and adding a new Police substation on Oregon Avenue next to the parking garage.

“The Downtown safety camera project is part of a larger plan to improve safety in downtown Bend.  This is a collaborative effort between business owners and many departments within the City of Bend,” said Police Lieutenant Jason Maniscalco.

Staff will now be getting trained on how to use the cameras and how to store and retrieve the footage. Police can use the feed for investigations.

“Addressing safety downtown has been a team effort for the City, downtown building owners and the Downtown Bend Business Association,” said Bend Business Advocate Ben Hemson. “There isn’t a single solution to confronting these issues but if all of us who live, work, play and own property in the area continue to work together, we can improve safety and maintain the qualities that keep downtown Bend unique.”

3 Comments

National Women's Month Celebration: Cowgirl Cash

3/14/2019

3 Comments

 
Picture
I am the owner of Cowgirl Cash, a Western Vintage Boutique on Brooks St.. My mom is a past Deschutes County rodeo queen, and my grandparents always lived close. My grandma taught me to sew and my grandpa, always so sharp in cowboy boots, a hat, and a rodeo buckle, taught me how to ride. My Dad is an avid outdoorsman. Growing up we camped, hunted, fished, cut firewood, hunted for arrowheads, and explored all areas of Central and Eastern Oregon. My little shop is a reflection of my native Bend roots. I attended the University of Oregon after graduating from Bend High. I then went to Gemology school. Buying and selling great jewelry and cool Western Vintage is never boring.  I love the customers that not only buy from me, but also sell to me.  I've been in my little back alley location in Bend for 9 years now.  Come find me and an authentic slice of Bend.

Cowgirl Cash
924 NW Brooks Street
Downtown Bend

3 Comments

Improvements Coming to Parking in Downtown Bend

1/3/2019

3 Comments

 
Picture
Beginning today, parking improvements in downtown Bend will make parking easier, safer and more available for people looking for places to park.

Here are the five changes coming to downtown:

1. Enforcement times will be extended to 7pm to increase turnover for on-street parking and provide better access to businesses during evening hours in the busiest parts of downtown.

2. The ParkMobile app will be available as a quick, easy option for downtown patrons to pay for parking in the Mirror Pond Lots and Centennial Garage. ParkMobile will be the only way to pay for parking at the Greenwood/Wall Lot and Irving Street.

3. Parking permits will change from paper to virtual permits to make paying for and managing parking permits easier for downtown employees.

4. A four-hour time limit will go into effect for the Mirror Pond Lots to increase turnover and make more parking spaces available.

5. New parking rates will support better downtown parking management by encouraging people to park in the right places for the right amount of time, and respond to community expectations for parking availability, equity in opportunities for all downtown patrons, and the economic vitality of downtown.

Picture
​
“We know these improvements might taking some getting used to,” said Drew Dietrich parking demand manager for the City. “We’re going to start off by focusing our efforts on education first. Then we’ll move into enforcement. Our goal is to help people going downtown make the best use of the limited number of parking stalls and have a better experience while doing it.”
For more information on downtown parking, visit www.bendoregon.gov/parking.
​
Accommodation Information for People with Disabilities
To obtain this information in an alternate format such as Braille, large print, electronic formats, etc. please contact Joshua Romero at 541-693-2185 or jromero@bendoregon.gov.

3 Comments

CITY OF BEND CELEBRATES WELCOMING WEEK

9/7/2018

4 Comments

 
Welcoming Week in Bend, Oregon
Beginning on Friday, Sept. 14, 2018, the City of Bend joins numerous community partners in celebrating “Welcoming Week,” a series of community-organized events that highlight the principles of inclusion and create communities that prosper because everyone feels welcome.

Welcoming Week takes place Sept. 14 to 23. Festivities begin with a Launch Celebration at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 14, at St. Charles Health System. Elected officials and community members will address attendees with thoughts about the importance of Welcoming Week. Light snacks and refreshments will be served. The public is invited to attend.

Community events, including the “Borderless Stories” photography exhibit, a book reading, workshops and educational presentations, Latino Fest, a food truck event and a soccer tournament will provide residents ample opportunity to participate in Welcoming Week.  View the Welcoming Week online calendar for more information on Welcoming Week events. 

In addition to attending Welcoming Week events, Bend area residents are encouraged to participate in a social media photo contest from Sept. 14 to 23. To enter the contest, participants must upload a photo with an “I’m a Welcomer” sign to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Tag the City of Bend page and use the hashtags #IWelcome and #WelcomingWeek to complete the entry. One photo will be randomly selected each day to win a prize pack of Welcoming Week and City of Bend goodies.

For more information about Bend Welcoming Week, including event and social media contest information, visit www.bendoregon.gov/welcomingweek.
​
Welcoming Week is a series of events in the community that raise awareness about Bend’s status as a Welcoming City and the benefits of welcoming everyone, including immigrants and refugees. On June 21, 2017, the Bend City Council unanimously supported a resolution for the City of Bend to be recognized as a Welcoming City. Participation in Welcoming Week is one of the requirements for recognition as a Welcoming City.

4 Comments
<<Previous


​Downtown Bend Business Association (DBBA)

DBBA: Our mission is to improve the economic vitality by enhancing the experience, image and lifestyle of Downtown Bend.
© COPYRIGHT 2018. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
916 NW Wall Street in Downtown Bend, Oregon
Downtownbend@gmail.com
​541-788-3628
ANNUAL EVENTS | CURRENT EVENTS | BUSINESS DIRECTORY | SHOPPING | DINING | LODGING | DOWNTOWN MAP | DOWNTOWN DOLLARS | NEWS
  • Home
  • Visit Downtown
    • Business Directory
    • Eat & Drink
    • Shopping
    • Lodging
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Beauty Services
    • Professional Services
    • Civic Services
    • Downtown Dollars >
      • Downtown Dollars | Digital
      • Downtown Dollars | Paper
  • DBBA Events
    • Partner Events
  • Downtown Advertising
    • Flower Basket Sponsorship
    • Banner Page 2023
    • Supersize My Marketing
    • Downtown Bend VIP Pass
  • Our Team
    • DBBA Volunteer Opportunities
  • Downtown Blog
  • DBBA Member Portal
    • DBBA Board Members >
      • DBBA Board Meetings & Minutes
    • The EID >
      • EID Map
    • Portal Information >
      • DBBA | New Business Setup
      • DBBA | Member Update
      • DBBA | Service Request
      • DBBA | Marketing Request
      • DBBA | Member Connect
      • DBBA | Anonymous Feedback
      • DBBA | DT Dollars for businesses >
        • Downtown Dollars Reseller Order Form
      • DBBA | Payment Portal
      • Downtown History
      • Contact Us