COTTAGE GROVE – Candace Solesbee is what one might call a “proud Grover.” A fourth-generation resident and owner of Shampoo Dolls Salon and 5 Flying Monkeys antique store on Main Street, she is eager to step into her second term as mayor of Cottage Grove.
In many ways, Solesbee said that 2024 laid the groundwork for growth, with restoration projects, increased community involvement, and supplementary funding underway.
And despite the hardships that have transpired in Cottage Grove in recent years – from city council resignations and recalls to issues around policing – Solesbee seeks to embrace the good.
Here’s a snapshot of key developments:
Bohemia Park Entry Plaza
From scenic views to lively concerts, Bohemia Park’s 14-acre stretch boasts something for everyone, with developments on the way thanks to $1.7 million in EDA grants awarded to the City of Cottage Grove.
Solesbee expressed her excitement over implementing a splash pad, landscape, upgraded restroom facilities, and a new swing set.
She also shared that Bohemia Park will soon be home to the Blue Goose mural, an homage to a bygone passenger locomotive known for its lively excursions.
According to Faye Stewart, Public Works director, the Dec. 31 initial deadline for the Bohemia Park additions has been extended due to a piece of needed equipment being on back order, as well as irrigation issues.
Even so, Cottage Grove residents can expect to see improvements in the first few months of 2025.
Main Street Revitalization Project
Downtown Cottage Grove is a hub of tasty dining options and beloved storefronts, bridging its storied past with present-day amenities. In recent years, Main Street has faced challenges due to needed repairs.
A $6.25 million EDA grant has provided a needed boost for the Main Street Revitalization Project, leading to work commencing on a refreshed downtown over the course of 2025.
Solesbee said that eight companies surveyed the area with city manager Michael Sauerwein and the Public Works Department staff before submitting their bids for the project. Ensuring that businesses feel supported amidst the changes remains an utmost priority, she said.
“The staff is looking at signage and lighting and repairs to assist all the businesses,” Solesbee said. “What they’ve done ahead of time is repaved all the back alleys, so any businesses that have back entrances that they might want to use during the construction process, we’re trying to make it as easy as possible on them.”
At its completion, a renovated 8th Street to Willamette’s Coast Fork bridge and sidewalks, curbs, and gutters will be unveiled. In addition, the money will provide necessary upgrades to water services, lamp pole implementations, street trees, water fountains, and pavement striping.
Ice Storm Response
Like many cities throughout Oregon, the catastrophic ice storm of January 2024 slammed Cottage Grove. From downed trees to lost power, the state of affairs was bleak, to say the least.
“Eighty percent of our city’s trees were damaged, and we had 13 different contracted crews that the city brought in to help with the cleanup,” Solesbee said.
Despite insurmountable hardship, Solesbee praised those who stepped up in the wake of the event, including Stewart and his public works staff. Solesbee said the public works team did an “amazing job leading the city.”
Cottage Grove was awarded $3 million in relief funds from FEMA. Through grant funding, Solesbee said that a new HVAC system will be purchased for the community center and that a generator will be up and running in case of a similar emergency.
“We’ll be much better prepared in the future now that we will have a generator to run our community center,” Solesbee said. “That space is much larger and can host more people in a more efficient way.”
Furthermore, Solesbee commended the volunteers, restaurant owners, and local Walmart for providing necessary supplies, food, and water to those in need during the ice storm.
“They really filled in the gaps,” she said.
Additional achievements
• Cottage Grove received $3 million in grant funding from the state to install water and storm infrastructure for a new 35-acre housing development north of Cleveland Street.
• Middlefield Golf Course purchased 10 new golf carts, a fairway mower, and installed surveillance cameras around the course.
• Cory Chase, Cottage Grove chief of police, celebrated his first anniversary in September. Since entering the role, he has hired five officers, one captain, and three dispatchers.
• During his one-year review, Sauerwein received glowing remarks from the council. He enlisted the help of an independent Lane Council of Governments review moderator who conducted anonymous interviews with all City heads of staff, who shared in the council’s sentiments.
Looking Ahead
As 2025 commences, Solesbee said she is optimistic about the future of Cottage Grove.
“I think, as citizens, we’re tired of putting out fires,” Solesbee said. “We really want to start having some positive projects to get excited about again and get some of our younger citizens involved in volunteerism and get them excited about the place they call home.”
Solesbee encourages residents to share their thoughts with the council in the next 12 months, providing momentum for the city.
“I’m encouraged by our downtown revitalization, our parks, all the beauty that is Cottage Grove: our waterfalls, our lakes, our bike paths,” Solesbee said.
“I’m hopeful that this coming year our economy is going to turn around, we’ll see more tourism come in, and we would really encourage the citizens of Cottage Grove to get involved in that and bring their ideas to us.”
