Frequently Asked Questions

1. When did GDDA start?
2. What projects is GDDA working on?
3. What are its service boundaries?
4. How is the organization funded?
5. How are Board members elected?
6. What is the vacancy rate in downtown Gresham?
7. What are the downtown's most urgent needs?
8. What is the Regional Center TMA?
9. What events is GDDA involved with?
10. What can be done about the graffiti problem?

1. When did GDDA start?

The Gresham Downtown Development Association was founded in 1991 and was originally an organization of commercial property and business owners. In 1995 an Economic Improvement District was created. The organization's by-laws changed its membership to commercial property owners in 1999 and the efforts of the organization became focused on the planning and management of development activities.

2. What projects is GDDA working on?

Current projects include a graffiti ordinance, advocacy for the Center for the Arts, the 10th Annual Spirit of Christmas Golf Tournament, the 2005 Centennial Celebration activities, streetscape improvements, the Powell Blvd. Project, Cleveland Blvd. Project, Regional Center TMA, bike rack projects, web-site redesign, Customer First Policy assessment, consideration of LID and renewal of an EID.

3. What are its service boundaries?

The geographic area that GDDA serves includes two areas, one which is bordered to the north by Division, to the south by Powell Boulevard, on the east by Kelly and to the west by Eastman Parkway. Burnside Road borders the second area to the north, the south by Division, the east by Eastman Parkway, and the west by Wallula.

4. How is the organization funded?

GDDA receives monies through three sources of funding.

• An Economic Improvement District (renewed every three years) assessed to property owners for approximately $40,000 annually.
• Metro funding to manage the Gresham Regional Center Transportation Management Association's (TMA) for $50,500 annually.
• A contribution from the City of Gresham Council budget for $35,000 annually.
• Metro/Tri-Met Funding for transportation related programs for approximately $20,000 annually.

5. How are Board members elected?

Board members are elected at a general membership meeting held each year in December. As vacancies occur, the general membership may be noticed to meet to elect Board members between annual meetings as necessary.

6. What is the vacancy rate in downtown Gresham?

Currently, the vacancy rate in downtown Gresham is about 7%. We estimate the office space to be less than 5%, with retail space being less than 10%.

7. What are the downtown's most urgent needs?

Mixed use projects with higher density components to drive activity for the retail area. A mixed used project could consist of ground floor commercial (retail or office space) with additional floors for housing, or could consist of ground floor retail with additional floors of office space. The density component above the ground floor is what will create the retail activity. Housing will support evening and weekend activity, whereas the office space will support weekday activity.

Additionally, the Center for the Arts is an important catalyst in energizing current investments, re-energizing some stagnate investments, and drawing new investments to the area.

8. What is the Regional Center TMA?

TMA stands for Transportation Management Association. A TMA is an association of businesses, property owners, and government, which focus on identifying solutions to transportation issues within the Regional Center. Those issues are related to access, connectivity, parking, pedestrian accessibility & safety, and commute options. The Gresham Downtown Development Association is the managing association for this effort.

9. What events is GDDA involved with?

GDDA produces the annual Spirit of Christmas Golf Tournament, which occurs in September. This fundraiser is very popular with the entire Gresham business community and supports the Downtown tree lighting during the holiday season.

GDDA produces the annual Spirit of Christmas event the first Saturday after Thanksgiving each year, which kicks off the holiday season for the community. A "Tree Lighting" ceremony hosted by a local celebrity and attended by thousands ends the day's activities.

GDDA supports and is involved in the following events held in Historic Downtown Gresham: The Annual Art Walk, The Jazz Festival, The Rockin' Round the Block Car Show, the Gresham Farmers' Market, Hood to Coast Relay, Gresham's 100 Celebration and the Center for the Arts events.

10. What can be done about the graffiti problem?

At the request of GDDA in April 2005, the City Council created a citizen and staff task force to address the growing problem of graffiti in Gresham. The charge of the task force was to examine graffiti and some of the attendant law enforcement problems. It is a fact that left unattended, graffiti lowers property value, encourages more graffiti, can announce gang activity, and increases other criminal activity. Council Bill 12-05 resulted as a comprehensive approach to the graffiti management problem. Very simply explained, if a property owner fails to remove graffiti on their property, the city may initiate steps to abate the graffiti and recover all abatement costs from the property owner. Fines and sanctions may also be imposed.

It is very important to remove the graffiti within 24 hours. The immediate removal discourages reoccurrence. Report graffiti to the graffiti hotline at (503) 666-1844. Take photos of the graffiti and date them. Providing photos for the Gresham police help them in building cases against vandals and helps them track gang activity.

If you are a property owner with tenants, be sure your tenants understand and report graffiti to you in a timely manner. A friendly call to your neighbor to notify them of graffiti on their property may really be appreciated.

It is neither the City nor GDDA's responsibility to paint off or remove graffiti.