When John Milward got the ball rolling on improvements to the Ace Hardware
building in Sandy, the city approached him to team up on some aspects. The
pairing was one of a number in the city to spruce up building facades, many in
the Cascadian “Sandy Style” theme.

“I like it a lot,” said Milward, a resident of Damascus. “I think that the things
the city wanted to do or suggested were good. These touches, the timber and
roof are a nice mountain look.”

In part, Milward utilized a matching grant program offered by the city for the
work, offering a sliding scale of requirements (he also paid for other
improvements and received money from the Main Street USA program).

Tracy Brown, the city’s planning director, reported that since the program
began last July, the city has given out nine matching grants for façade
improvements. The city has identified 15 additional projects, and funding
under the program will continue over the next five years (funds originate from
an urban renewal district).

Brown noted that the two tenets behind the program are to spread the wealth
around while getting the most from the dollars.

“We’re balancing those; we want to upgrade as much as possible, but on the
other hand some of the key buildings will probably get more because they
need more or they’re in a location that will make much more of a statement,”
Brown said.

The city analyzed buildings in the downtown corridor and ranked them on
location, visibility and potential for restoration, giving additional scoring for
historic structures. The most visible buildings were pushed to the top, while
Brown added that the city plans on re-evaluating the rankings next year.

Brown added that a few buildings, such as the Junker Building, are targeted
for restoration, rather than improvements in the “Sandy Style.” He reported
that many people have complimented the work and what its done to the city.
“For the most part, people think it’s great; they’re saying, ‘keep up the good
work,’” Brown said. “One person talked to said Sandy’s talked about creating
an identity and finally doing it.”

Milward, who reports the work on his building is almost done, agrees with that
assessment. “I really like it and I hope that other people do to,” Milward said.
“I hope it has the effect that the city wants, which is for people to stop and
shop.”

But at least one Mountain resident isn’t the biggest fan of the “Sandy Style”
improvements. Brightwood’s Gary Randall sees that style as a deviation from
the city’s origins.

“Sandy has zero connection with Cascadian architecture,” Randall said. “It’s a
Wild West town with tongue and groove, lap sided, false-front buildings.”
Instead, Randall points to the building improvements in Troutdale as more in
line with Sandy’s history.

“It would have looked great in Sandy,” said Randall. “(Sandy Style) looks
nice, but it’s changing the identity and history of the city.”
The City of Sandy has an architect on retainer for property owners to contact
if they are interested in building improvements under the program.
For more information, contact the city at 503-668-5533.