Why is Downtown McMinnville Important?
Can our mall and discount centers take the place of our traditional commercial district? The answer is a resounding "no." It may no longer be the sole option in our community, but downtown McMinnville is much more than a shopping center. Here are some reasons why downtown is still important to McMinnville:
Downtown McMinnville is a prominent employment center. Downtown McMinnville employs hundreds of people, and is collectively the community's largest employer.
Downtown McMinnville is a reflection of our community. Our image, pride, prosperity, and level of investment — critical factors in business retention and recruitment efforts. When the state brings an industrial prospect to McMinnville or Warren County they bring them downtown first. It is a positive selling point.
Downtown McMinnville represents a significant portion of the community's tax base. Did you know downtown McMinnville accounts for more than $17,000,000 in real estate market value. That is more than the combined total of all five of the largest strip centers in McMinnville including the mall. If the district declines, property values drop, placing more of a tax burden on other parts of town.
Downtown McMinnville is an ideal location for independent businesses, which in turn:
- Keep profits in town. Chain businesses send profits out of town
- Support other local businesses and services
- Supports local families with family-owned businesses
- Supports local community projects, like teams and schools
- Provide an extremely stable economic foundation, as opposed to a few large businesses and chains with no ties to stay in the community
Downtown McMinnville is the historic core of our community. Our downtown buildings embody McMinnville’s past and its visual identity.
Our historic downtown McMinnville is a tourist attraction. When people travel or shop, they want to see unique places — especially ones that offer a unique shopping "experience." Downtown McMinnville offers shopping, leisure activities, and history, among other benefits.
A vital downtown McMinnville reduces sprawl. Downtown concentrates retail in one area and uses community resources wisely, such as infrastructure, tax dollars, and land.
A healthy downtown McMinnville protects property values in surrounding residential neighborhoods.
Downtown McMinnville offers convenience. Downtowns are often within walking distance of residential areas, providing easy accessibility for the community and reducing the reliance on auto-dependent shopping.
Downtown McMinnville is a center of government offices. City hall, the police station, the courthouse, and post office are located in downtown. It is an important service center as well for finding attorneys, physicians, insurance offices, and financial institutions.
Downtown McMinnville provides an important civic forum, where members of the community can congregate. Parades, special events, and celebrations held here reinforce intangible sense of community. Private developments like malls and strip centers can and do restrict free speech and access.
Downtown McMinnville represents a huge public and private investment. Imagine how much it would cost to re-create all of the buildings and public infrastructure in McMinnville’s downtown.
Source: Warren County Assessors Office 2006 Property Data.