Reimagining La Grande

Revitalizing Downtown, One Building at a Time: LGMSD and the Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant

By Joyce Coulson

When people think of La Grande Main Street Downtown (LGMSD), they often picture the big, joyful community events—Halloween Safe Trick-or-Treat, Crazy Days, the Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting, or the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop. But behind the scenes, LGMSD plays an equally important role in shaping the long-term health and vibrancy of our historic district. One of the most meaningful ways we do this is through our work with the Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant (OMSRG) program, a statewide initiative that helps communities breathe new life into historic buildings.

A Grant Program Built for Community Transformation

The OMSRG program was established by the Oregon Legislature in 2015 to strengthen historic downtowns through preservation-based redevelopment. Administered by Oregon Heritage, the grant supports communities participating in the Oregon Main Street Network—communities like La Grande that are committed to revitalizing their historic cores in thoughtful, sustainable ways.

The program’s purpose is simple but powerful: invest in older and historic buildings so they can once again serve as economic and cultural anchors. Over the past decade, OMSRG has become one of the most transformative funding tools available to rural communities, helping turn long vacant or underused properties into thriving commercial spaces, housing, and community destinations.

To qualify, projects must demonstrate clear community benefit, economic impact, and a commitment to historic preservation. Eligible proposals often include building rehabilitation, adaptive reuse, façade restoration, and code-compliance upgrades, improvements that make historic structures viable for modern use. Priority is given to projects that activate unused spaces, support local business growth, and contribute to long-term downtown vitality.

LGMSD’s Role: From Idea to Application

For each grant cycle, LGMSD works closely with local property owners to identify strong candidate projects, develop competitive proposals, and guide applicants through the complex process. This behind-the-scenes work is one of the most meaningful ways we support downtown revitalization. When a project succeeds, the impact is felt not just by the property owner, but by the entire community.

Today’s post launches our ongoing series spotlighting La Grande’s OMSRG grant recipients. We’ll be sharing more of these transformative projects in upcoming blogs as we continue telling the story of downtown revitalization.

A Landmark Re-imagined: The Conklins’ Hand Ford Redevelopment

In last year’s grant cycle, La Grande celebrated a major win: Nate and Tami Conklin were awarded $400,000 to revitalize one of downtown’s most iconic structures—the historic Hand Ford building on Chestnut Street. Once a bustling dealership, the building has long been a familiar landmark, and the Conklins’ vision promises to restore its role as a lively community hub.

Their redevelopment plan blends preservation with innovation, transforming the property into a multi-use destination for dining, entertainment, and entrepreneurship. The project includes:

• An upscale restaurant and bar, offering a refined dining experience in a beautifully restored historic setting.

• A rentable community kitchen, giving local food entrepreneurs, bakers, and makers access to a professional-grade space to grow their businesses.

• An entertainment zone featuring virtual golf simulators, a virtual shooting range, and the potential addition of ax-throwing lanes—creating a versatile venue for families, groups, and visitors.

  
  

Outside, the parking area will become a food truck pod with space for up to seven rotating vendors. Trucks may rotate seasonally or semi-annually, ensuring a constantly evolving mix of flavors and experiences for residents and visitors alike.

Renovation work is already underway, with phased openings planned as each component is completed. Once finished, the development will offer something for everyone, from food lovers and families to entrepreneurs and entertainment seekers. It represents exactly the kind of catalytic, community-building project the OMSRG program was designed to support.

Looking Ahead

The Conklins’ project is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when historic preservation, community vision, and strategic investment come together. LGMSD is proud to support projects like this, not only because they honor our past, but because they help shape a vibrant, resilient future for downtown La Grande.

As we continue our work with the Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant program, we remain committed to identifying opportunities, supporting local property owners, and championing the revitalization of the historic spaces that make our downtown unique.

If you’d like help exploring a future project or learning more about the grant process, LGMSD is here to guide the way.