Oregon Town Center project gets council’s OK

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Oregon City Council has approved an ordinance authorizing Mayor Mike Sefarian to enter into an agreement with Fairmont Properties, LLC, Orange Village, O., for the development of the Oregon Town Center project on Navarre Ave.
Council unanimously approved the ordinance Tuesday for the agreement that will cover the first phase of developing the property where a Kmart store was located.
“We’ve been working with Fairmont Properties for the last three years but this is the first time that we are memorializing this partnership with them in a development agreement,” said Joel Mazur, city administrator. “This agreement starts the clock, provides a schedule of milestones, and adds a structure of accountability. This is necessary for the developer in order to secure leases from tenants and get financing approved from lenders.”
Mazur said city council and the administration have had a concept for the development for several years and it’s now “coming to fruition.”
He said Oregon is unique in that it doesn’t have an historic downtown as do many older cities.
“You can draw examples like Napoleon, Wauseon, Archbold or Toledo or Perrysburg where there are older buildings with some character,” Mazur said. “We have a large fruitful commercial corridor of Navarre Avenue on Route 2 but there is no gathering space where people can dine, shop and just hang out. That’s what Fairmont Properties brings to the table. They have a proven track record of creating destination retail locations.”
The 12.4-acre parcel is located at the corner of Navarre and Isaac Street Drive.
Three businesses have signed letters of intent to locate on the property: Olive Garden Restaurant, Home2Suites by Hilton, and Beerhead Bar and Eatery.
According to the agreement, a part of the development site will be the trailhead of a major hub of a bike path the city is constructing adjacent to the property.
The agreement also prohibits any portion of the property being used for vehicles sales or service, adult entertainment establishments, veterinary clinics, billiard, bingo, and arcade games, flea markets and pawn shops, and dry cleaners.
The city will have the option of using a designated space for farmer’s markets and arts and craft fairs. In addition, the city agrees to cooperate with the developer if it seeks a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area. A DORA is a specified area a local legislative body has exempted from certain open container provisions as set in state law.
Mazur said the city has also been working with two other development companies on planned construction of residential units on adjacent properties.
Geyde Development plans to start construction this year on single-family units and Cash Waggner & Associates plans to start construction in the spring on apartment units.
“We are happy to see this development, Marvin Dabish, co-chair of city council’s economic development committee, said. “Exciting things are coming to Oregon.”