Title
Oregon City Tourism Plan
Body
RECOMMENDED ACTION (Motion):
Staff recommends approval of the Oregon City Tourism Plan and addition of one full time employee to implement the tourism plan
BACKGROUND:
Goal 1 of the Oregon City City Commission is to Cultivate an Environment for Successful Economic Development and a tourism plan that builds on the concept that was approved by the City Commission in 2016 is identified as one of the objectives to accomplish that Goal. Oregon City has long realized its potential for tourism due to its rich heritage, recreational amenities and plethora of unique characteristics. To some degree of success, several efforts over the years have been made to capitalize on this potential with the objective of attracting more visitors and to share what the community has to offer. These efforts have been ongoing and as they continue, there has been a growing desire throughout the community to instill more of a focus on tourism in a way that could provide a truly impactful Oregon City visitor experience.
The Downtown Oregon City Association (DOCA) was knowledgeable of the community's desire for an increased focus on tourism. The organization considered itself to be well positioned to lead such an initiative. DOCA proceeded with creating a tourism plan for Oregon City. Although recognizing that City-wide tourism is a priority for the community and very important to the City, the City Commission had not yet sanctioned such an initiative. The result of DOCA's effort is now referred to as the Point B Plan and was approved by the Commission in concept on March 12, 2016 as the City Commission believed there were other elements of the Point B Plan that should be vetted more thoroughly. On August 3, 2016, the City Commission subsequently identified tourism as a priority and important economic development tool by passing Resolution 16-21 and staff was directed to formalize a City-wide tourism plan using the approved concept of the Point ...
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