Streetscape Project Takes Shape

WAITSBURG - The $5,000 grant from the Oregon Community Foundation, the charitable arm of Cycle Oregon, couldn't have come at a better time for Waitsburg's Main Street.

The young deciduous trees planted in the sidewalk a few years ago didn't do so well this year, so the colorful flower baskets and flowers added to the street lights and planters are bringing some needed cheer to the downtown area.

"The flowering trees took a hit from last November's cold snap and the bizarre spring we've had," city clerk Randy Hinchliffe said. "They won't bloom this year."

The streetscape improvement gift was one of two grants Waitsburg entities received as a result of hosting the large group of cyclists from Cycle Oregon last September. The other was a grant for $5,000 to help build a new sports equipment storage shed and press box at Cardinal Field. About fourfifths of the total $25,000 for that project have been raised, including the $5,000 contribution from the Oregon group.

Waitsburg residents and visitors noticed several weeks ago how each of the entrances to town - eastbound Highway 124, northbound Highway 12 and westbound Highway 12 - got new welcoming banners with the words "Waitsburg A-Waits You," a phrase coined by Mayor Walt Gobel to invite travelers to the downtown area one block off Highway 12.

In addition to the six new banners at city entrances, the city also put up 10 new downtown banners on the streetlights to complement the existing 11, and mounted 44 hanging baskets with petunias to the poles.

"From what I've heard, everyone seems to really like them," Hinchliffe said about the splashes of sky-bound purple. "They're definitely a nice addition."

The city received a $1,000 grant from Pacific Power to add to the funds for the streetscape project, while the city itself put in $2,500.

While close to its goal for the press box project, the Cardinals Booster Club said there isn't enough time to build the facility for this fall.

"It's difficult to pull it off before the first football practices," said Ross Hamann, the boosters club president. "The fundraising didn't go as fast as we wanted."

Hamann said he's confi- dent the club will raise the money and perhaps even exceed the $25,000 to add furnishings to the new building behind the stands and over the track. Even though it's a simple structure, it would still take six to eight weeks to build and the club doesn't want to line up a contractor before all the funds have been raised. The first football practices start in August.

Numerous donors have come forward and the group will continue to reach out to donors, especially to sell the last-remaining 10-year sponsorship that offers corporate sponsors logo placement on a2x6spaceonthebuilding, PA recognition during home games and once-a-year seating in the press box.

"We're undeterred," Hamann said.