McMinnville aldermen have taken heat in recent years for the city’s budget woes. The lack of funds has resulted in cuts to personnel and services, along with the delay of much-needed work on city streets.
The city is suffering through the same economic recession which has the rest of the state, and nation, painfully pinching pennies just to keep basic services, leaving little to no funds for extras like civic programs and community improvement projects.
That’s why our city government is to be commended for going after what few grants are available these days. The $1.2 million TDOT transportation enhancement grant currently being used for the Morford Street revitalization project is one of those grants.
The work on Morford Street, which is currently under way, is the second phase of this effort. Like Main Street renovation, the Morford Street project will provide a major facelift to the downtown area. When complete, it will give citizens something to be proud of, while using minimal local taxpayer money, since the grant requires only a 20 percent match.
In addition to repaving the street, the project will revamp the antiquated infrastructure, placing wires underground and repairing or replacing deteriorating water and sewer lines. With careful budgeting, the city may even have enough money left over to extend the project further down Morford Street than originally expected.
Despite some initial controversy, there’s no question the Main Street project has completely changed the look of downtown McMinnville. The beautification of our beloved city has made it a destination for all sorts of activities, including the Autumn Street Fair, Christmas in the Park, and the popular Main Street Live music events, as well as everyday dining and shopping.
We should be thankful to those who haven’t given up on downtown, who want to keep it alive and a vital part of our community. The continuation of downtown revitalization on Morford Street is evidence of the city’s belief in the importance of history and a sense of place.
While the downtown areas of many small towns across America continue to disappear into a morass of strip malls and shopping centers, McMinnville’s citizens can be proud of a beautiful downtown that will charm visitors and residents alike for years to come. Morford Street, when complete, will add to that luster.