| Project Rating: |  |
| Project Snapshot: | A tiny frontier town survives two fires and highway widening by rediscovering its past and shaping a new future. |
| Project History: |
In the early 1980s, rural Oregon was hit by a four-year recession that brought 15% unemployment to many small towns in the state. It was during this time that the small town of Sisters determined to boldly transition from a fading rural economy to tourism. The city embarked on a major storefront improvement program, building to a western theme that evoked the turn-of-the-century buildings that once stood here, and were destroyed by two catastrophic fires in the 1920s. In addition to the storefront upgrades, the city built an extensive sidewalk and street system, expanding the business district beyond the commercial core that straddles Cascade Avenue (also known as Highway 20, or Santiam Highway). Private boardwalks and walkways complement the sidewalks. On-street parking was added to every street, mostly in the form of diagonal spaces that maximize parking. Though the storefronts have faded somewhat over the past 20 years, the fundamental concept behind the renewal of Sisters is sound: dozens of art galleries, quilt shops and other tourist boutiques have thrived, capitalizing on the steady stream of recreation-oriented travelers who pass through Sisters on their way to other points in Central Oregon. |
| Best Ideas: |
Sisters built curb extensions and diagonal, on-street parking before it was chic. The city's effort to redefine an extensive downtown block system with these improvements is fairly successful, and has led to the gradual expansion of the commercial district to streets that adjoin Cascade Avenue. Though some argue that the western theme is contrived, the structures are generally understated, and do represent how the town looked in the late 1800s. The authenticity of the western theme is also backed up by a strong western influence evident in the art and quilt galleries found around the town. This is a working, western town that also happens to cater to tourists. Among the best western elements are the private wooden sidewalks that complement the public streets and the bonafide westerners who live on ranches in the area, and shop in Sisters for their basic goods and services. A favorite joke among locals is the often-heard comment on how the large, western-styled building that houses Bronco Billy's restaurant is "such an obvious fake". In truth, the structure is the 1912 Sisters Hotel, a grand old building that survived both fires in the 1920s, and is actually one of the few remaining original buildings in town. Thus, a well-done design theme can be remarkably deceiving! |
| Worst Ideas: |
Sidewalks along Cascade Avenue are generally too narrow, and in many cases are impassable to disabled persons. The compromise on the sidewalks is one that any small community faces when dealing with a state DOT that "owns" main street. Fortunately, the Oregon DOT is now looking more favorably on main street projects, and it may be possible for Sisters to correct this serious design problem in the future. Another deep flaw arises from the decision to keep a two-way traffic flow on Cascade avenue, rather than attempt to relocate the highway, or create a downtown couplet. On summer weekends, the traffic jam in the downtown area serves no one, and calls out for a better solution. Compounding the heavy traffic is a lack of marked pedestrian crossings a many intersections, a basic design component for any main street. Finally, the gradual decline in the original 1980s renovations to the city's streets and storefronts is becoming very apparent, and many of the original improvements are in dire need of maintenance or reconstruction. Some of these needs are detailed in the design gallery, and include everything from simple building maintenance to sidewalk and street furniture deterioration. This problem should raise a red flag for other communities doing main street projects: a long-term, dedicated funding source is crucial to maintaining new infrastructure once it has been built. |
| Contact Information: |
City of Sisters 150 N. Fir Street Sisters, OR 97759 (541) 549-6022 |
