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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (July 26, 2017)
Polk County News Polk County Itemizer-Observer • July 26, 2017 3A Visitors Center evaluates events By Jolene Guzman The Itemizer-Observer DALLAS — The Dallas Area Visitors Center is evalu- ating its annual slate of events to make sure they are meeting the mission of the organization. Dallas Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center CEO JD Shinn pre- sented an update to the Dal- las City Council at its July 17 meeting, demonstrating what the community is get- ting in return for the hotel taxes given to the organiza- tion to promote tourism. Shinn said the technical definition of “tourist” is someone who stays overnight in at a location. Those visitors spend the most money in a communi- ty. “Currently, as we look at our events, we’ll not really drawing a lot of tourists by that definition,” Shinn said. “We do get some, but we are not drawing a whole ton. We get a lot of same-day visitors who love Dallas, and love to come and take part in our events.” He said estimates on at- tendance at events all year is 54,200 and that measures “attendances,” which could count one person more than once if they visit an event multiple times. Shinn said the chamber receives about $82,000 in hotel taxes and doubles that money through sponsor- ships and fees to host events. By that measure, each time a person attends an event, it costs $3.03, Shinn said. He said the organization and board want to take a closer look at the events it is spending that money on by asking, “Are we doing the right stuff?” “This is a big transition year,” he said. “You all know I’m new to the position, seeking to create a new cul- ture and taking where we are at and moving it further beyond what we’ve been doing in the past.” City to ask residents about public safety facilities options By Jolene Guzman The Itemizer-Observer LUKAS EGGEN/Itemizer-Observer file Summerfest draws an estimated 17,000 attendances each year. He said Polk County Bounty Market — the week- ly farmers market that runs May through September — is a good program. Freedomfest is growing, especially with reinstating the barbecue contest this year. Summerfest, Dallas signa- ture event starting Thurs- day, draws the biggest crowds, estimated at 17,000 attendances. Shinn said it’s tough to provide solid numbers on that event, and he will ask police and fire departments for estimates this year. Winterfest, the kick off celebration for the Christ- mas season, appeals mostly to Dallas-area residents and pulled in about 1,500 people in 2016, in what Shinn said is a conservative estimate. He said Winterfest could benefit through a partner- ship with the Dallas Down- town Association, which held a Christmas bazaar a few weeks after Winterfest. He said planning the events for the same time could broaden interest. Shinn said preliminary evaluation reveals some JOLENE GUZMAN/Itemizer-Observer file Winterfest attracted about 1,500 people in 2016. questions about the Old- Timers Reunion Picnic and the trick-n-treat event. He said the Old-Timers Reunion has potential. “If we can make the right tweaks and changes, (it could) have a lot of impact in terms of drawing people back into Dallas who are Dragons and want to show their Dragon pride and come and say, ‘I graduated from here 40 years ago. I want to come back and enjoy my community,’” he said. Trick-n-treat he wasn’t so confident about. The Halloween event held each year at Morrison Cam- pus Alternative School has a pattern of declining atten- dance. Shinn added he has a plan if the organization finds it doesn’t fit anymore. “So, is this one mission- centric? It doesn’t look like it, but I don’t want to take it just because it doesn’t look like it. I want bring more data to see if that is some- thing we want to do,” he said. “If we do cut it, I would like to pass it on to someone else who can run it and be community-minded about it.” DALLAS — City officials say the Dallas Police De- partment and Fire & EMS need new or upgraded fa- cilities, especially the police department, which shares space in Dallas City Hall. “Anyone who has been in our (police) facility knows that they are spread across three or four differ- ent areas,” said City Man- ager Ron Foggin. “As we continue to grow, EMS and the fire service, those facili- ties are also in desperate need to grow.” The price tag on providing new facilities gives some members of the city council pause, so much so that they would like more public input before moving forward. The city hired Portland architectural firm Maken- zie to evaluate two options for upgrading the police and fire and EMS depart- ments. The first had the police department moving to the former Department of Human Services building on the corner of Church and Oak streets near the Dallas Post Office. That building and the fire station on Shelton Street would both be re- modeled at an estimated cost of nearly $14.7 million. The second option up- graded the fire station with a new building for police attached at an estimated cost of about $14 million. Both options include a combined emergency op- eration center, community room and training facility at the fire station. To reach those figures, Makenzie asked each de- partment for current space needs, what amenities they needed but didn’t have, and how much growth is anticipated in the next 20 years, said Cathy Bowman, a project manager with Makenzie. For police, that meant having department admin- istrators close to police op- erations and secured park- ing for patrol vehicles. Fire & EMS needs a bunk room to provide 24-hour cover- age, and would like to have fire and EMS operations in the same building. Bowman added the new police station would need to meet “essential facility” seismic standards. Councilor Micky Garus asked during Makenzie’s presentation on July 17 if the current owner of the DHS building completed the necessary upgrades, without having to pay pre- vailing wage to workers — a requirement for the city — if the cost would come down. Jeff Humphreys, Maken- zie’s director of architec- ture, said yes, by about 10 to 15 percent on the police remodel, not enough to close the gap between the two projects. See SAFETY, Page 5A Joyful Sound Hearing Have you considered reconditioned hearing aids? We are currently significantly over stocked with used & reconditioned hearing aids. Call now and schedule a hearing test. Mark Sturtevant 503-623-0290 • 312 Main Street, Dallas The Titus 3 House 5th Annual Golf Tournament was another HUGE success, thanks to the many sponsors and helpers in our community. A Special Thanks to the following: Our First Time Ever Helicopter Golf Ball Drop Sponsored by 'A Light in the Window' Our Corporate Sponsor—L & L Equipment Our Diamond Putting Contest Sponsor—JP Morgan Concrete Washington Street Steakhouse for catering a fantastic dinner. Our grand Prize Winner for a 7 Night Stay at 'The Grand View' in Las Vegas went to raffle ticket holder 676, Mr. Ron Hannegan at Hannegan & Sons Custom Homes. Again Thank you to everyone for helping to support the women living at Titus 3 House while they strive to find new purpose, goals and skills to rebuild their lives once shattered by abuse & addictions Catered by:
